Funerals not only in New Jersey but also worldwide offer family members and close friends a supportive environment to grieve and come to terms with the death of a loved one. They are the first step towards healing after the loss of a loved one. If you’ve recently lost a loved one in New Jersey and you’ve never handled funeral arrangements before, then you came to the right place. Here is a brief guide you can depend on when planning a funeral in New Jersey.

You Need a Funeral Director

In the state of New Jersey, the law requires that the family of the deceased hire a licensed funeral director to oversee the disposition arrangements. The director must be authorized by New Jersey’s State Board of Mortuary Science. Their primary responsibility is to file for a death certificate. They will usually initiate the process within 24 hours after the death of your loved one by filing the burial particulars using New Jersey’s death registration system.

Note, the death certificate is an incredibly important document because other than certifying the death of the deceased; you’ll need it if you’re to claim or transfer the deceased’s property to family members.

What about Funeral Arrangements?

Even though the funeral director oversees the disposition, the rights and responsibilities of funeral arrangements fall squarely on the family members. In some cases, the deceased might have already appointed an individual to handle the process. If this is the case, then these wishes are usually honored first. If no one is named, then the responsibility often goes to the immediate family members in the following order:

• The spouse
• The adult children of the deceased
• Parents
• Siblings
• Next of kin

Casket Buying

Funeral homes tend to take advantage of grieving mourners and overcharge them. They will especially have an easier time exploiting you if you’ve never handled funeral arrangements in your life.

With that said, buying a casket online in New Jersey is the way to go. Funeral homes are required by federal law to accept caskets from third parties. The benefit of buying one online is that you get access to great discounts and lower costs. However, if you’re buying a casket online, ensure you purchase it from a reputable company near or within New Jersey such as Casket Emporium. Why? Well, you will minimize the shipping costs and eliminate the chances of delay. Also, it will be far much easier for you to go and inspect the casket in-person.

Where to Bury the Body in New Jersey

In New Jersey, the body can be kept on private property or an established cemetery. Whichever you find best, make sure you consult with the local health department, town, or county government. This is particularly essential as the state of New Jersey prohibits any burial that may put the public in danger. For instance, due to the recent Covid-19 pandemic, open-casket funerals are now forbidden in New Jersey. Therefore, ensure you familiarize yourself with such laws.

Losing a loved one to death is tough. Handling their funeral arrangements in New Jersey is tougher. Understanding the process and working with a well-established company like Casket Emporium makes it less hectic.