Funeral & Cremation Arrangements Guide
Honoring a Life
Helpful Guide To Funeral or Cremation Arrangements & Services
When you lose a loved one, the experience can be overwhelming. Emotions abound, there are so many things that need to be done and you want to honor their life and legacy. Southern Cremations & Funerals works to take as much off your shoulders as possible. Please review this guide to ensure your loved one’s services take place with the respect and dignity you expect.
Planning & Arrangements
When a passing occurs, inform the hospital or facility of your funeral home choice.
- Southern Cremations & Funerals will coordinate with the hospital, facility or hospice organization to transport your loved one into our care.
- Our staff will then reach out to the next of kin to schedule an arrangement conference with one of our licensed funeral directors.
- When scheduling, be prepared to provide information about pre-arranged funeral services, your choice of cremation or burial and any special requests you may have. This allows us to prepare the staff and information to best serve you.
At your arrangement conference, a funeral director will listen to your wishes for your loved one and guide you in planning a meaningful tribute. Southern Cremations & Funerals offers convenient packages that include everything needed for burial or cremation services, and peace of mind with our on-site crematory and cemetery. Come prepared with pre-arrangement documents, cemetery paperwork, life insurance documents and personal information for the completion of the death certificate.
Consider the Service
Envision the service you would like to host for your loved one’s friends and family. There is no right or wrong way, and a service should be as unique as your loved one.
Would you like a formal event or something more casual?
Consider date and time, officiants, music, favorite colors and themes.
Your funeral director will discuss all these details with you to understand how you’d like to celebrate the life of your loved one. If you’re unsure, just ask!
Just because you choose a simple cremation, it doesn’t mean your experience can’t be personalized.
Some special requests include:
- Fingerprints
- Music played when cremation takes place
- A phone call before the cremation begins, so that your family can say a prayer, have a moment of silence or listen to your loved one’s favorite song.
You should also share any special circumstances with your funeral director. Our staff is accustomed to handling different family dynamics, circumstances of passing and financial situations. The more we know about your loved one and family, the better we can serve you.
Prepare, Then Relax
Once you’ve decided on a service type, your funeral director and team will need items like clothing, photos, an obituary and musical selections to make your service go smoothly. Ask for a list so you don’t have to remember each item and then provide them as soon as you are able. This will give your funeral team enough time to return proofs and previews of memorial folders, online obituaries and memorial slideshows. If any changes or corrections are needed, let your team know—we want every detail to be perfect!
In the days leading up to the service, confirm the plans and details with your funeral director. We don’t want you to worry about a thing on the day of service.
Reviewing all the plans ahead of time gives you the freedom to spend time with family, share stories and memories and honor the life and legacy of your loved one.
Our staff will be present at your visitation, service and graveside service to greet and direct guests, coordinate with vendors such as florists and caterers, play music for your service and fulfill any last-minute requests you may have.
We Care Deeply About You
In the weeks following your loved one’s service, you will no doubt be taking care of family and estate concerns, and we know how important the death certificate is to this process. We strive to get them to you as quickly as possible, but often have to wait for information from your loved one’s physician, county coroner or medical examiner. You are always welcome to call the funeral home office for an update on the progress of the death certificates. When they are ready, we will order them for you and call when you’re able to pick them up. We also offer mailing options for your convenience.
Southern Cremations & Funerals will continue to be in touch with you after your service is complete. We may call just to check in with you or for feedback on your experience.
We would like to be a resource for you and your family if you are having difficulty with the grief of your loved one’s passing.
Our team hosts many community events throughout the year such as Dia de los Muertos in November and our Luminary Event in December. These are great opportunities to pay your respects to your loved ones and find a community of others who have experienced loss.
Thank You!
Thank you for trusting Southern Cremations & Funerals with the care of your loved one and family. We are truly honored and look forward to the opportunity to present our exceptional funeral arrangements and services options.
For more information about the funeral and pre-arrangement services offered at Southern Cremations & Funerals’ three convenient locations in Fairburn, Marietta and McDonough, please call or email us. We’re happy to answer your questions.
Prepared by Michelle Pittman, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Michelle Pittman is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Georgia. She graduated from Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service and through her many years of experience in the dental and fitness industries, Michelle has enhanced her skills in client care and service.
Michelle is dedicated to providing compassionate care for families and honoring the lives of their loved ones. Her friendly nature and meticulous attention to detail help ease the stress of funeral planning. With a deep respect for all cultural traditions, she ensures that every service is conducted with the utmost compassion and dignity. Michelle is committed to assisting families in creating personalized experiences to memorialize and celebrate their loved ones