Do you have any questions? Read through our frequently asked questions and if you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us.

What is the importance of a funeral or memorial service?

Why do some funerals have a public viewing and others do not?

In most circumstances, the choice to have a public viewing is a personal one. 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 is voluntary.

What is the difference between a funeral service and a memorial service?

A funeral service is a service commemorating the deceased with the body present. A memorial service is a ceremony commemorating the deceased without the body present. Funeral services are traditionally held in the funeral home chapel, church, or graveside. Memorial services can be held at the funeral home chapel, church or other locations the family may desire.

If one were to have a funeral service with the deceased present followed by cremation, is it necessary to purchase a casket?

Most often a ceremonial (rental) casket is chosen. This casket is used for the services and/or visitation. Prior to cremation, the interior with the deceased is removed and cremated. We also offer many cremation caskets where the deceased would remain in the casket for cremation. Both of these options are much more cost efficient than purchasing a traditional casket.

Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?

No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for one's final disposition and often follows a traditional service. Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory offers many options for services with cremation; including: visitation, casketed services, and memorial services.

What should I do if a death occurs in the middle of the night or on a weekend and will someone come out right away?

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you request immediate assistance, will be out as soon as possible. If the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say good bye, we will come when you desire; all we ask is that we are notified of the passing so we may make appropriate arrangements to assist you.

If a loved one passes away in another city or state, can you still assist with the arrangements?

Yes, we would be able to meet with family locally and we would coordinate arrangements with a funeral home in the other state to have your loved one brought locally for services.

What is the best way to plan a funeral for a relative who lives in Virginia and wishes to have services locally?

All arrangements may be made here locally by a legal representative of the relative in Virginia. Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory would coordinate your relative's arrangements with a reputable funeral home in Virginia, so he or she may be transported to California for the service and burial.

When is an autopsy required? Must the family authorize the procedure and are there costs involved?

Autopsy is an internal examination of a deceased. This would be performed by a coroner if they have jurisdiction over the death due to trauma, suspicious circumstances, lack of medical attendance by a physician or certain other causes. The coroner's decision to autopsy does not need family authorization and there is no cost involved. However, if an autopsy were requested by the family or physician, a private pathologist would be called. This physician would require authorization and payment.

What is the purpose for embalming?

Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, delays the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body. Although not required by law in most instances; embalming is required by most funeral homes for a visitation, thus giving family and friends an appropriate viewing of their loved one.

Why have an obituary notice?

It is helpful to friends and the community to have an obituary notice published announcing the death and type of service to be held. To many, the notice also serves as a keepsake item which is stored in a memorial book.

Is it necessary to have music at a funeral?

It is not necessary, although, we have found that many grieving people find comfort in music. Sometimes, a certain song can remind us of the person who died and provides memories. We believe that when we are grieving the passing of a loved one, whatever helps us deal with our sorrow and pain is valuable.

Can a casket and an urn be together in the same grave for the benefit of our family?

Yes, the Santa Maria Cemetery, as well as many other cemeteries, permit the burial of cremated remains in the same grave as a full casket interment or future casket interment.

Some people say they don’t want a funeral service. We feel it is important to honor them with a service, how would you recommend describing this to them?

The funeral and the ceremony that accompanies it are indeed very important. For those who are left behind, a funeral provides a place for family and friends to gather for support and to reminisce; a chance to say goodbye; and a focal point from which the healing process can begin. A funeral identifies a person's life has been lived, not that a death has occurred. There are people beyond the immediate family who have the right to grieve a death. For instance, what would your feelings have been if there was not a funeral for President John F. Kennedy or President Ronald Reagan?

Why are funerals so expensive?

In some respects, funerals are a lot like weddings or birthday celebrations. The type and cost will vary according to the tastes and budget of the consumer. A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor intensive business, with extensive facilities, 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 and staff in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, clergy, florists, newspapers and others; and seeing to all the necessary details. Unlike corporate owned funeral homes, family owned funeral homes such as Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory operate with a modest profit margin.

Why is cremation significantly less expensive than burial?

Actually, cremation is only slightly less expensive than burial. There is a misconception between the two; when we say burial, we tend to associate the funeral service that traditionally accompanies the burial; and with cremation, we tend to not associate any service. The costs are relatively the same, given for example: a direct cremation (no services) will be just slightly less than a direct burial (no services). Conversely, a traditional service would carry approximately the same funeral home charges whether one chooses burial or cremation.

How much do caskets and urns cost?

The price of these items varies according to the selection you make. Just like any other merchandise, caskets and urns are made from different types of material and constructed in different ways, therefore affecting the respective prices. Please feel free to contact Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory to receive further details and we can make arrangements to show you your options.

Does the VA pay for veterans' funerals?

Although the Veterans Administration does not pay for complete services, it does provide certain merchandise, services and reimbursements. In general, any veteran with a discharge other than dishonorable is entitled to be buried in an accepting national cemetery. He or she may also receive a free grave liner and government marker at a national cemetery. If one chooses not to be buried in a national cemetery, the military may provide a government marker and burial honors. More information can be obtained from your VA counselor or feel free to contact Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory.

What determines the cost of a funeral?

You and your family do. A funeral can be as extravagant or as simple as you desire. Pre-planning your funeral can control costs. By making decisions ahead of time, you avoid making choices at a time when your emotions are heightened. With a funded pre-planned funeral, Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory will guarantee the cost of our services and merchandise; therefore, if costs rise, your surviving family members will not be burdened by the increased cost.

I am considering opening a life insurance policy for my final expenses, what amount should I insure for?

It all depends on what kind of services you wish to have. Please feel free to contact us regarding your specific wishes, and we will provide you with today's costs. One cautionary note, opening a policy in this way will fund your funeral today, but it may not fully fund one in the future. We suggest pre-planning with a funeral home. Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory is able to meet with you and plan the major aspects of the funeral, and open an insurance policy for you. In planning this way, we are able to guarantee the costs of our services and merchandise at today's price. This would ensure that your family would not have to pay any increase in our costs or merchandise in the future.

If I pre-plan my funeral what is the advantage and what happens to the money I give the funeral home to pay for it?

When pre-planning a funeral you are contracting with the funeral home to guarantee today's cost for a funeral that will take place in the future. You are also making decisions that no one can change once you sign the contract and pay for the funeral. All funds collected for pre-planning funerals must be placed with an insurance company or a State of California accepted trust company within 30 days of receipt. Pre-need trust funds are kept separate from all other funeral home funds and are protected by law.

My wife has a life insurance policy with me as beneficiary, upon her passing will this policy be accepted for her final expenses, or will I need money up front?

Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory will accept an assignment of the verified proceeds of an insurance policy for payment of the funeral. We will even process the insurance claim for you. Many corporate owned funeral homes will not accept assignments on these policies, and do require payment at the time of service. Upon validation of the claim the insurance company will write two checks, one to the funeral home for payment of services, and another to the beneficiary for the amount above the cost of the funeral. Cash advance items paid on your behalf would not be paid through the insurance.

I pre-planned and paid for my arrangements several years ago, prior to moving to the Santa Maria Valley, is it possible to change the arrangements to Santa Maria?

Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory accepts any transferred pre-arrangement. If the arrangement has a cost guarantee, the cost guarantee will be accepted as well. Stop by with the pre-arranged information and we will assist with the transfer.

Can my pre-planned arrangements for my funeral or cremation be changed after my passing?

No, as long as your wishes are set forth clearly and completely and you have arranged for payment through insurance or a trust.