Mission Park... Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to funerals, most people have a lot of questions. For your convenience, we have included a list of questions and answers that are often asked at a time like this. We hope these will be helpful to you in your time of need.
FAQ Categories:
Funeral FAQs
What purpose does a funeral serve? Answer
It is the customary way to recognize death and its finality. Funerals are recognized rituals for the living to show respect for the dead and to help survivors begin the grief process.
What do funeral directors do? Answer
Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body.
Funeral directors are listeners, advisors and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Funeral directors are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person is having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community.
Do you have to have a funeral director to bury the dead? Answer
In most states, family members may bury their own dead although regulations vary. However, most people find it very trying to be solely responsible for arranging the details and legal matters surrounding a death.
Why have a public viewing? Answer
Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary.
What is the purpose of embalming? Answer
Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, retards the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.
Does a dead body have to be embalmed, according to law? Answer
No. Most states, however, require embalming when death was caused by a reportable contagious disease or when remains are to be transported from one state to another by common carrier or if final disposition is not to be made within a prescribed number of hours.
Isn't burial space becoming scarce? Answer
While it is true some metropolitan areas have limited available cemetery space, in most areas of the country, there is enough space set aside for the next 50 years without creating new cemeteries. In addition, land available for new cemeteries is more than adequate, especially with the increase in entombment and multi-level grave burial.
Is it possible to have a traditional funeral if someone dies of AIDS? Answer
Yes, A person who dies of an AIDS-related illness is entitled to the same service options afforded to anyone else. If public viewing is consistent with local or personal customs, that option is encouraged. Touching the deceased's face or hands is perfectly safe. Because the grief experienced by survivors may include a variety of feelings, survivors may need even more support than survivors of non-AIDS-related deaths.
Do funeral directors take advantage of the bereaved? Answer
Funeral directors are caring individuals who help people deal with a very stressful time. They serve the same families 80% of the time, and many have spent most of their lives in the same community. If they took advantage of bereaved families, they could not stay in business. The fact that the average funeral home has been in business over 59 years shows that most funeral directors respect the wishes of the bereaved families.
What recourse does a consumer have for poor service or overcharging? Answer
Funeral service is regulated by the FTC and state licensing boards. In most cases, the consumer should discuss problems with the funeral director first. If the dispute cannot be solved by talking with the funeral director, the consumer may wish to contact the Funeral Service Consumer Assistance Program.
FSCAP provides information, mediates disputes, provides arbitration, and maintains a consumer guarantee fund for reimbursement of services rendered. (To contact FSCAP, call 708-827-6337 or 800-662-7666).
Is it right to make a profit from death? Answer
Funeral directors look upon their profession as a service, but it is also a business. Like any business, funeral homes must make a profit to exist. As long as the profit is reasonable and the services rendered are necessary, complete, and satisfactory to the family, profit is legitimate.
Don't funeral directors mark caskets up tremendously, at least 400%? Answer
No. Talking about the mark up on caskets is really not the point. Most items--clothing, furniture, jewelry--are marked up as much or more than caskets. The real question is whether the funeral director is making an excessive profit, And that answer is "No." Profits run around 12.5% before taxes -- not excessive by any standard.
Why are funerals so expensive? Answer
When compared to other major life cycle events, like births and weddings, funerals are not expensive. A wedding costs at least three times as much; but because it is a happy event, wedding costs are rarely criticized.
A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities including viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc. These expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral. Moreover, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but the services of a funeral director in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers and others; and seeing to all the necessary details.
Contrary to popular belief, funeral homes are largely family-owned with a modest profit margin. The 1995 NFDA Survey of Funeral Home Operations showed that approximately 85% of funeral homes are family-owned and have been in business an average of 63 years. They get an average of 167 calls each year, and have a before-tax profit of 11.3%
Who pays for funerals for the indigent? Answer
Other than the family, there are veteran, union, and other organizational benefits to pay for funerals, including, in certain instances, a lump sum death payment from Social Security. In most states, some form of public aid allowances are available from either the state, county, or city or a combination.
Most funeral directors are aware of the various benefits and know how to obtain them for the indigent. However, funeral directors often absorb costs above and beyond what is provided by agencies to insure the deceased a respectable burial.
What government agencies help defray final expenses? Answer
Usually, Funeral Directors will help gather the necessary information to apply for financial assistance from Social Security, Veteran's, retirements and any others.
Why do I have to use a vault? Is it required by law? Answer
Texas law does not require a vault or outer burial container. However, many cemeteries require an outer burial container or vault to prevent the ground from collapsing.
What is your price for cremation? Answer
Please refer to the "Cremation" section in the home page of this website for prices on our cremation services.
So, I've decided on cremation. Can I still have a funeral or a viewing? Answer
Yes, quite often some sort of viewing precedes the actual cremation. Your Funeral Home can assist you with the necessary information for a funeral with a cremation following or a memorial service.
Can cremated remains be placed in ground property? Answer
Yes, cremated remains may be placed in a regular ground interment space inside a cremation vault.
We have a family member buried there. Can we just open that space and put this person's cremated remains at the foot of that grave? Answer
Mission Park's cemeteries have sections that can accommodate two persons for interment in a "companion lawn crypt" or a "companion interment space" regardless of whether the remains are cremated or not.
Two persons, however, cannot be placed in a regular interment space designed to accommodate only one person even if the second remains were cremated. Contact us at to confirm the capacity of your cemetery property.
Do you scatter in the ground? (Or do you have a "scattering garden"?) Answer
Mission Park does not currently have "scattering gardens" and prohibits the scattering of cremated remains on our premises, other than in ground burial property purchased from Mission Park, we do however offer communal scattering of cremated remains at our Ossuary site MBPN.
Does a dead body have to be embalmed, according to law? Answer
No. Most states, however, require embalming when death was caused by a reportable contagious disease or when remains are to be transported from one state to another by common carrier or if final disposition is not to be made within a prescribed number of hours.
What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend? Answer
At Mission Park our staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Will someone come right away? Answer
If you request immediate assistance, yes. If the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say good bye, it's acceptable. They will come when your time is right.
We need to make arrangements for a baby. How much is a funeral for a baby? Answer
Mission Park gives special consideration to families who have lost an infant or a child. We provide special prices for infants and children under the age of 12. These prices vary, however, from one location to another. Contact us to obtain the current infant/child prices at the Mission Park location you have selected.
If a loved one dies out of state, can the local Funeral Home still help? Answer
Yes, they can assist you with out-of-state arrangements, either to transfer the remains to another state or from another state.
Our relative owns property at one of your parks, but lives in another state. How do we get them to you for burial? Answer
If you will not be having any memorial services in another state, Mission Park can simplify the process for you by making all of the transportation arrangements for the transfer of your loved one from another state to Mission Park for funeral services and burial.
You only need to make all of your arrangements with Mission Park, not a second party or another mortuary. Contact us, and we will arrange to have your loved one transferred to Mission Park for burial. We will arrange for you to meet with one of our Memorial Counselors either by phone or in-person to make the arrangements. If you will be having church or memorial services outside of Texas in your state, you will need to contact a local funeral home to provide you with the mortuary services that you will need. Your funeral home will then make arrangements to transfer your loved one to Mission Park.
Our relative passed away and we want to send him/her to another state or country. Do you do that? How much does it cost? How do we arrange it? Answer
Mission Park can make arrangements to transfer your loved one to anywhere in the United States as well as most countries.
For an international transfer - out, your Memorial Counselor and our experienced staff will make all of the necessary arrangements for transfer. We will process all of the necessary documentation required by the Consulate of your specific country.
The cost of transfer will vary depending on the destination, Consulate, and airline requirements. Contact us for further information on your specific transfer needs.
How can we make arrangements for ourselves and pay for them in advance? Answer
Simply contact us. Our staff will make arrangements for you to meet with one of our representatives to pre-plan your arrangements.
Do you have a veterans section and what benefits are we entitled to? (Before Need and At Need) Answer
Mission Park's cemeteries have provided cemetery property to veterans and their spouses in the past. Most members of the U.S. Armed Forces and veterans whose discharge from military service was honorable are eligible for burial in national cemeteries. This benefit also extends to a veterans spouse. Veterans are also entitled to a government-provided memorial marker. Your Memorial Counselor can assist you in making arrangements for a Veteran.
Does Mission Park have a Jewish section? Muslim section? Catholic section? Answer
Mission Park offers Jewish sections. Mission Park welcomes all faiths and religions. Your Memorial Counselor can assist you in arranging a funeral ceremony that honors your affiliation. Likewise, we will also assist you in arranging a ceremony that is right for you - regardless of affiliation or non-affiliation.
Our commitment is to provide you with quality services that are right for you - regardless of affiliation or non-affiliation.
Does Mission Park allow granite or marble memorial markers? Answer
Most Mission Park cemeteries offers all types of memorialization depending on the choice of section.
Can I get a memorial marker somewhere else? Answer
Yes, but it must meet Mission Park's specifications. Please contact us to obtain the required specifications for a memorial marker on your interment property. Your marker company will need to deliver the Memorial Marker to Mission Park.
How long before the memorial marker is placed? Answer
It takes approximately 6-10 weeks after the final approval has been received, the placement fee paid, and manufacturing is completed before a Memorial Marker is placed. Special emblems, designs, and sketches may take longer. A temporary marker may be placed for up to 90 days, when marker is purchased with Mission Park, and then replaced once your permanent Memorial Marker is ready.
What is the cost of your services? (Before or At Need) Answer
The General Price List (GPL) will list the cost of our services. The GPL and an overview of our prices are available in the "Pricing" and "Funerals" section of this website. If you need further assistance on pricing, please contact us.
How much does a funeral cost? Answer
In 1998 the charge for an adult, full-service funeral, was $5,020. This includes a professional service charge, transfer-of remains, embalming, other preparation, use of viewing facilities, use of facilities for ceremony, hearse, limousine, and casket. The casket included in this price was an 18-gauge steel casket with velvet interior which may or may not be the most common casket chosen. Vault, cemetery and monument charges are additional. (Source: 1999 NFDA Survey of Funeral Home Operations)
What is your price for cremation? Answer
Please refer to the "Cremation" section in the home page of this website for prices on our cremation services.
What type of payment plans do you have? Answer
A payment plan may be available to you. Our payment plans are based on several factors including the type of arrangements, credit rating, the total amount of the contract and other considerations. Your Memorial Counselor will assist you with the payment options for your arrangements.
Do you accept credit cards for payment? Answer
We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover.
How much are your cemetery plots? (Before Need and At Need) Answer
Please refer to the "Memorial Property" section in the home page of this website for prices on cemetery property. Please contact us for further assistance.
We don't have a lot of money. Does Mission Park offer any assistance or have a program for families who are low-income? (At Need) Answer
Mission Park has several locations in San Antonio which offer a wide variety of services at different cost levels. We make every effort to provide a wide variety of options at very affordable prices. You may, however, contact us to meet with one of our Memorial Counselors to discuss your special circumstances for further consideration.
Can I pre-pay for my funeral expenses now? Do you have a pre-payment plan? (We own the property already). Answer
Yes. You may fund for your funeral arrangements by purchasing a personalized pre-arranged funeral plan. Simply contact us, and we will have one of our representatives assist you in pre-planning your arrangements. Pre-planning can provide you with peace of mind and protection from rising costs. Representatives of Mission Park are available to explain our pre-need offerings.
We need to make arrangements for a baby. How much is a funeral for a baby? Answer
Mission Park gives special consideration to families who have lost an infant or a child. We provide special prices for infants and children under the age of 12. These prices vary, however, from one location to another. Please contact us to obtain the current infant/child prices at the Mission Park location you have selected.
My relative is interred there and we need a memorial marker. How much are they? Answer
The price of a Memorial Marker will depend on the type of material, size of memorial, etc.. Please contact us for the current prices of a Memorial Marker for your specific cemetery requirements.
What is the setting fee for a memorial marker? Answer
The setting fee of a Memorial Marker will depend on the type marker and its size. Please contact us for the current setting fee for your order.
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