Frequent Questions

Click on the questions below to reveal each respective answer.

  • What services do funeral directors perform?

    The funeral director's job is to assist the bereaved in various ways to help them through the loss of a loved one. A funeral director provides bereavement and consolation services for the living, in addition to making arrangements for the cremation, burial, and memorial services for the deceased. He fulfills the role of funeral arranger, funeral director, funeral attendant, and embalmer.


    The following list is not all-inclusive, but describes some of the major tasks of a funeral director: 

    •     Removal and transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home
    •     Professional care of the deceased, including embalming, casketing, and cosmetology
    •     Consulting with family to make arrangements for the funeral service
    •     Filing certificates, permits, and other required forms
    •     Obtaining copies of the death certificate
    •     Arrangements with the cemetery, crematory, or other places of final disposition
    •     Creates and publishes the obituary
    •     Arrangements for clergy, music, flowers, transportation, pallbearers, and special fraternal or military services
    •     Directs and manages the funeral service and the funeral procession
    •     Assists the family with death-related claims, including Social Security, VA insurance, grief counseling

  • Why are funerals so expensive?

    A traditional funeral involves a number of services which add to the total cost. Besides a non-declinable basic services fee, other charges may include removal/transfer of the body to the funeral home; embalming; other preparation of the body; use of facilities and staff for viewing; use of facilities and staff for the funeral ceremony; use of a hearse, service car, or van; a basic memorial printed package; metal casket, a vault or grave liner, and purchase of a cemetery plot.

  • What is the purpose of a funeral?

    A funeral or memorial service provides an opportunity for the living to show respect for the deceased and pay tribute to their life. It provides a framework to freely and openly express our beliefs, feelings, and thoughts about the death of our loved one. It gives us permission to grieve our loss, share in solidarity, and gain strength from others who are experiencing the same loss.

  • Does the law require that a deceased human body be embalmed?

    No, NC does not require by law that a deceased human body be embalmed. However, circumstances may arise that will require embalming such as funeral home policies for public viewing and delayed interment. Although, it may not be law, some funeral homes have policies about holding un-embalmed bodies for an extensive time period.

  • What is the purpose of embalming?

    Embalming provides cleansing, disinfection to prevent spread of any communicable diseases, and preservation of the body.

  • Is there a law which requires that caskets be placed in vaults prior to burial?

    NC Law does not require that caskets be placed in burial vaults or outer containers. However, cemeteries have the right and authority to require that an outer burial container of vault be used for their particular cemetery. We invite you to contact or visit your local cemetery of preference to learn their requirements for outer burial containers.

  • Why would I choose an Outer Burial Container or Vault?

    Although not required, many people choose the selection of an outer burial container or vault for peace-of-mind knowing that their loved one is protected from underground rodents or seepage caused by water or other elements.

  • Is a casket required by law when a deceased human body is to be cremated?

    NC law does not require a casket for cremation. However, it does require the use of an alternative container of some type. This alternative container is required to avoid directly handling the remains and for dignity and respect to your loved one during the placement into the crematory retort. Although, many people select a casket for the funeral or viewing prior to a cremation and prefer that it be cremated with the remains.

  • Can I inter a loved one on my own property?

    There are certain restrictions for burying a loved one on your property. It is advised to contact your local health department or town ordinance office to learn of the restrictions and rules within your particular desires.


    To Learn More about offerings available or specific questions, we invite you to visit one of our member firms by selecting one in your area from our menu.

Next of Kin

"Final Disposition" means the final disposal of a deceased human being whether by interment, entombment, inurnment, burial at sea, cremation, or any other means and includes, but is not limited to, any other disposition of remains for which a segregated charge is imposed.


Georgia Code 31-21-7 outlines who can implement final disposition, including how a person can make his or her wishes known for the time of his/her own death and have it carried out by next of kin. It also ranks in exact order of kinship or relationship to the deceased who has the right to make decisions regarding the final disposition of a deceased person.


In order to implement final disposition for a deceased, an individual MUST be 18 years or older AND be of sound mind. Funeral directors frequently get this question.


Minor children do not have the right of disposition for a parent; they are not 18 years old.


Divorced spouses do not have the right of disposition for their former spouse; sometimes people are confused because there may be minor children involved. Because minors don't have the right of disposition, they can't pass their right to a divorced parent.


Individuals who are mentally impaired don't have the right of disposition. For example, a person suffering from a diagnosed illness such as Alzheimer's who has reached the stage of impairment, does not have the right of disposition.


In those examples, the right passes to the next individual.


A person who has signed a preneed contract, whether or not it is paid for, can direct their own final disposition and plans. Those plans must be followed unless the estate can't cover the cost or unless the person has specifically appointed a person with the right to change their wishes.


If there are multiple people with the same level of disposition rights (children, for example), the majority decision prevails.


People may lose their right of disposition by failing to act in a timely manner, as outlined below.

NEXT OF KIN

Consumer Complaints

If you have a complaint against a funeral director or a funeral establishment, we encourage you to discuss the issue with the funeral director and/or management of the funeral establishment. 


If this is not acceptable, contact the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service, which administers the Funeral Service Law for the purpose of better protection of life and health, preventing the spread of contagious, communicable, and infectious diseases, and regulating the practice of embalming and funeral directing and the care and disposition of dead human bodies. 

  • Call Center: 404-424-9966 or 844-753-7825
  • Online contact form  HERE
  • License Lookup  HERE
  • Submit a complaint  HERE 

Note: Georgia Funeral Directors Association (GFDA) provides this information as a service to our communities. GFDA is not a licensing or regulatory agency and cannot accept complaints. Complaints must be submitted to the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service.

Death Certificates

State Office of Vital Records is to create, maintain, protect, and provide access to vital events and vital records data to sustain the health and well-being of Georgia constituents in a manner that is timely, accurate, and secure. The State Office of Vital Records is responsible for registering, preserving, amending, and certifying all Georgia vital events. 

  • More information  HERE
  • Communication Center: 404-679-4702
  • Ways to Request Vital Records  HERE
  • Office Locations  HERE
  • Death Records  HERE

Note: They only provide records of vital events that occurred in Georgia. For events that took place outside of Georgia, please contact the vital records office in that state or territory for more information. The National Center for Health Statistics maintains contact information for vital records offices throughout the United States.

DISCLAIMER: This information is published as a good faith consumer education service. It may not be viewed or treated as specific legal advice due to the constantly changing nature of state and federal laws and regulations. Families should speak directly with their local funeral director or legal representative as to their current planning for end-of-life issues and funerals.