Frequently Asked Questions

At Spriggs & Watson Funeral Home. we are here to support and guide you through every step with warmth and care. You are not alone—our team is here to help you honor your loved one with dignity and respect.

What do I need to make arrangements

These are the items that are helpful to have in making funeral arrangements. they include your loved one’s:

  • Essential information for state vital records

    • Birth date & birthplace

    • Parents’ names

    • Social Security number

    • Veteran’s discharge or claim number (if applicable)

    • Education background & marital status

  • Provide obituary details such as occupation, memberships, military service, and family survivors.

Besides arrangements, what else should I do?

  • Make a list of immediate family, close friends, and colleagues, and inform them of the passing.

  • Consider an appropriate memorial where loved ones may donate (church, hospice, charity, library, or school).

  • Arrange for family or friends to assist with calls and greeting visitors.

  • If Social Security checks were automatically deposited, notify the bank of your loved one’s passing.

  • Confirm any benefits your loved one may have had, such as veterans' benefits or life insurance claims.

  • Begin organizing any necessary financial documents and property transfers.

  • In needed, contact a Pennsylvania Probate Attorney to assist with estate matters

Is there financial help if I need it?

There are a number of options available, including:

  • Seek financial assistance: Check with the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and State Fund to see if your loved one qualifies for funeral cost support.

  • Review insurance policies: Look into any life insurance plans to see if funeral expenses are covered.

  • Find community support: Research local charities, nonprofit organizations, and churches that provide financial aid for funeral arrangements.

  • Consider cost-saving options: Talk to your funeral director about cremation services, which may be a more affordable alternative while still honoring your loved one.

  • The TEARS Foundation provides financial aid for funeral expenses and emotional support to families who have lost a baby due to stillbirth, miscarriage, or early infant death.

  • The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will provide payment for burial and cremation services on behalf of eligible individuals.

How Does Spriggs and Watson Funeral Home help ?

At Spriggs and Watson Funeral Home we are able to handle all of the following and more for you:

  • Coordinate arrangements with the cemetery.

  • Contact clergy if you would like religious support.

  • Decide on the time and place and type for the funeral or memorial service.

  • Help you choose a burial or cremation and discuss service options

  • Offer a selection of caskets, finalize burial locations, arrange for pallbearers, and consider vehicle services.

  • Order copies of the death certificate, which may be needed for financial accounts, insurance claims, and benefits.

Do I have to make different funeral arrangements if I choose cremation?

Choosing cremation allows for flexibility in how you honor your loved one’s memory. At Spriggs & Watson Funeral Home, we are committed to providing compassionate guidance to help you create a meaningful farewell that reflects their life and legacy.

You may choose to have a funeral service before cremation, allowing family and friends to gather, share memories, and say their goodbyes. Alternatively, a memorial service can be held at the time of cremation or afterward, with the urn present, offering a heartfelt tribute. Some families also opt for a committal service at the final resting place of the cremated remains.

Whether you prefer a service in a place of worship, funeral home, or crematory chapel, we are here to support you in making arrangements that bring comfort and peace. Our team will ensure that every detail is handled with care, helping you create a farewell that truly honors your loved one.

What does a Funeral Director do?

Spriggs and Watson Funeral Home provides the following services:

  • Pick up the deceased and transport the body to the funeral home

  • Provide certified copies of death certificates for insurance and benefit processing

  • Work with the insurance agent, Social Security or Veterans Administration to ensure that necessary paperwork is filed for receipt of benefits

  • Submit obituary to the newspapers of your choice

  • Bathe and embalm the deceased body, if necessary and prepare the body for viewing including dressing and cosmetizing.

  • Assist the family with funeral arrangements and purchase of casket, urn, burial vault, cemetery plot, and transportation to the funeral and/or cemetery for the family

  • Schedule the opening and closing of the grave with cemetery personnel, if a burial is to be performed

  • Coordinate with clergy if a funeral or memorial service is to be held

  • Order funeral sprays and other flower arrangements as the family wishes

  • Provide Aftercare, or grief assistance, to the bereaved