Burial Services

Caskets are typically crafted of either wood or metal. The cost of a casket is most influenced by the type of material used in construction and the grade of interior fabric. There are many dignified options available in a broad price spectrum to suit your individual needs.

The selection of casket is a very personal one and will be determined based on the deceased’s wishes, economic considerations and personal taste. There are many options because each family’s needs are different.

Some of the typical materials used in casket construction are:

We are committed to ensuring you understand your choices and helping you select the casket that best suits your family's needs. Many cemeteries have a requirement that an outer burial container be placed around the casket in the ground. The primary reason for this is that the casket is not designed to withstand the weight of the grave and the heavy equipment used in routine maintenance of the cemetery. An outer burial container helps to support the weight of the grave, protect the integrity of the casket and aid in keeping the grave level, which contributes to the overall positive appearance of the cemetery. We will advise you as to the outer burial container options that are available in your area and are most widely utilized in the cemetery of your choice.

Like caskets, there are options in outer burial containers from which you can choose based on your personal needs, taste and budget. Some of the materials that are commonly utilized in manufacturing outer burial containers include concrete and various types of metal.

For families planning a public visitation, embalming is recommended. The process of embalming is considered to be the most successful practice of preparation for the viewing of a loved one’s body.

By definition, embalming is “the process of chemically treating the deceased human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, delay organic decomposition and restore an acceptable physical appearance.” A loved one’s physical appearance is an important part of what makes a viewing/visitation a meaningful experience for all who attend.

Your loved one’s body is the most important symbol present during a viewing/visitation. The process of embalming – and sometimes further efforts through reconstruction – promotes a more natural look and a healing final impression of your loved one.

Honoring and remembering a loved one’s life is an important part of the healing journey. Regardless of what a family decides for a loved one’s final resting place, a meaningful event to say goodbye can be beneficial, whether it is in a private setting or with extended family and friends. The opportunity to spend final time with a loved one will help those who are grieving acknowledge the reality of the death and receive caring support from others. Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary is committed to helping families plan a fitting tribute honoring a loved one’s life.

Many families that decide to commemorate their loved one’s life, sharing their fondest memories and allowing others to share memories as well, will choose to have a visitation with their loved one’s body present. A visitation allows family and friends to reflect on how the loved one affected their life and encourages the sharing of stories. Viewing a loved one’s body during this time may evoke strong emotions. Saying goodbye and expressing those emotions in a convenient setting surrounded by others who share feelings of sadness is part of a healthy grieving process.

The idea of honoring our loved ones at their permanent resting place is a time-honored tradition. Whether it was the ancient Egyptians constructing the pyramids, the erection of a grand private mausoleum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery, or a simple burial space with a marker, the idea of a dignified burial for our deceased loved ones is an important tradition. We care for these places and visit them to remember and feel connected to this special person in our lives. A cemetery provides a peaceful environment for our loved ones to rest and for us to honor their memory.

Like funeral homes, cemeteries can provide many dignified options for a family, depending on their personal taste and budget. You can select individual burial spaces for a casket or urn (if selecting cremation) or a group of spaces for multiple family members. The options are varied and will depend on the individual cemetery’s offerings and available inventory.

When selecting a cemetery, you may want to seek personal recommendations from friends, business associates, your clergy or a funeral director. Be sure to inquire with the cemetery representative as to their maintenance practices, whether it is a “perpetual care” cemetery (a portion of the purchase price is placed into a fund for the upkeep of the cemetery) and any other pertinent rules or regulations regarding: flower placement, allowing upright monument and/or flat markers, special seasonal decorations on graves, etc.

Casket Options

Wood

Metal

Outer Burial Container Options

Embalming

Viewings, Visitations and Funerals

Honoring and Remembering a Loved One

Is embalming required by law?

Should everyone be embalmed?

What if my loved one experienced extreme trauma?

What are some circumstances in which embalming is optional?

What are some circumstances in which embalming should be performed?

Who makes the decision as to whether a person is embalmed?

How much does it cost to embalm a body?

What happens if a body is not embalmed?

How long does an embalmed body last?

Cemeteries

Why a cemetery?

Cemetery Property Options