Services and Pre-Planning

Traditional Funerals
The American funeral has changed more in the past few years than in the prior fifty years. It used to be that the "Traditional Funeral" was pretty much the same. A wake or visitation period, which lasted anywhere from one to three days, followed by a church service and burial in the cemetery. Yet today, there is no such thing as a "Traditional Funeral". People are choosing funeral services that are more reflective of the person and fit the lifestyle of the family. And with more and more ethnic groups living in our city, traditional funerals now incorporate many of the customs and ceremonies of different cultures. In any given year, Cheshire Family Funeral Home will conduct funeral services for Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu families, not to mention families that opt for non-religious, humanistic services. Given the diverse group of families that we serve and the different options that we provide, there are many choices available when it comes to a funeral.

Understanding Cremation
Many families today are choosing cremation. All funeral homes advertise "cremation services", but don't be fooled! Practically all area funeral homes use common, multiple user, off-site industrial crematories to handle their cremations. Cheshire Family Funeral Home utilizes the services of Tri-State Crematory, owned and operated by Lisa McKenna, wife of CFFH owner Tristan McKenna. This private, close-to-premise crematory ensures you the highest standards of care, comfort and accountability. Being affiliated with an actual crematory operator serving more cremation families every year than the majority of all other area funeral homes, we know all there is to know about cremation, and would like to share that knowledge with you so you can be an informed consumer. Please attend one of our free monthly cremation seminars or, with our "open door" policy, drop by anytime and we would be proud to give you a private tour of our operation and discuss the services of Tri-State Crematory.

We are also capable of serving your pet cremation and burial needs. Cheshire Family Funeral Home is proud to offer these equally important services, including pet caskets and cremation urns, and a partnership with Ashfield Pet Crematory . Please call or email us for more information.

Signature Services
We offer many ways to help families personalize and customize a funeral or memorial service. Personalization not only provides a special way to remember a loved one, it also allows those present to participate in the ceremony. In addition to the Signature Service Items presented below, we welcome the opportunity to discuss other options as well to assist you in creating a truly memorable service.

Pre-Planning

Nearly seven million Americans have pre-arranged their funeral with a trusted funeral service provider. More and more people are recognizing that planning a funeral in advance demonstrates love and consideration toward their family members. It is a thoughtful decision that reduces the stress of indecision and uncertainty when a death occurs. It also gives the person making the arrangements peace of mind that they have taken care of their final wishes in advance of their death.

The planning process is something that has been part of our daily lives since birth. We purchase fire insurance for our home to protect our interests in the event of a fire; we purchase auto insurance for the possible event of an accident--  doesn't it make sense to plan for the one event that is certain to happen in our lifetime?

Coming to terms with a decision of this magnitude takes considerable time and effort. We at Cheshire Family Funeral Homes encourage you to engage your family members in conversations about pre-arranging your funeral plans. They will be able to support you in your decisions and give you a sounding board for your ideas. If you desire professional guidance or have specific questions, please do not hesitate to call us at (603) 357-2980. We will be glad to assist you in any way possible.

Why prearrange your funeral?

Prearranging and pre-financing your funeral is a simple and secure way to provide for your final arrangements. It is a valuable and protected investment and is one of the kindest gifts you can give your family. By investing in a prearranged and pre-financed funeral, you assure the services you desire, while at the same time, your investment is earning interest for you.

What are the benefits of planning ahead for your funeral?

Economy — Because you are setting money aside, it will be there when you need it. The earnings on your money are reinvested in a trust so you can hedge against inflation.  You can also use prearrangements as an asset management tool in “spend downs” for Mecdicare purposes or other methods in preparation for alternative health care needs such as short or long term nursing care.

Personal Choice — You choose the extent, kind and cost of service you want, right down to the smallest detail. You're assured that your funeral and disposition will be consistent with your individual standards and lifestyle. You and your family can share in planning together.

Peace of Mind — By making these decisions in advance, you can bring peace of mind to yourself and your loved ones. You'll know that the arrangements you want are complete and that the costs won't burden your family. You may change the specific components of your service at any time, with the understanding that component costs may change.  We encourage all persons, however, to give these decisions a great deal of initial thought and consideration.

Other Questions Commonly Asked

Q :    I'm Interested in cremation. Does Cheshire Family Funeral Home offer cremation services that can be prearranged?

A: Yes, we do. Cremation is a service we provide to many families we serve each year. As cremation becomes more widely accepted, we work to provide innovative and creative options to suit the needs of the families we serve. If cremation is right for you, please discuss your options with one of our professionals .

Q: What will my family think if I make my own funeral arrangements?

A: Attitudes vary but most families we talk with feel that when a loved one makes his or her own funeral arrangements it is a loving and responsible thing to do. It really does bring peace of mind to everyone involved.

Q: Isn't funeral planning just for older people ?

A: It's a smart decision for anyone who wants to relieve their loved ones of emotional and financial burdens later on. Many people carry life and health insurance to protect themselves in the event that something happens. Planning and pre-funding your funeral is just one more assurance you can give your family— no matter what your age.

Q: What if I don't know what type of arrangements I want?

A: Let us help you by giving you the information you need. We'll explain what all your options are and then you can make a decision that's right for you. Many people learn about services and options they never knew existed. Making your decisions is easier when you are thoroughly and comfortably informed. In any event, we encourage you to discuss your choices with family or friends in an effort to ensure others understand your wishes.