What to Expect

End of Life Process

The death of a loved one can be a confusing and traumatic experience. With adequate knowledge and preparation

ahead of time, you can ensure all the necessary arrangements are quickly made to give you more time and

freedom to focus on remembering the deceased. VirtualTributes is not a funeral home. However, being founded

and operated by funeral directors, we can provide some tips. Below is a brief overview on what to do when a

loved one passes away. We recommend you speak with a licensed funeral professional for more information.

At the Time of Death

In most situations, you will be required to use a funeral home or cremation organization operated by a licensed

funeral professional upon the death of a loved one. They will transfer the deceased to their facility, prepare the

death certificate, host in-person funeral services if so desired, and arrange for final disposition. Look for reputable

providers in the area and don’t hesitate to solicit recommendations from friends, family, doctors, nurses, pastors,

and anyone else whom you trust.

VirtualTributes is not a funeral home and thus cannot handle the deceased or arrange for disposition. However,

we are happy to provide recommendations at no charge.

At the Arrangement Conference

After you have contacted a funeral provider and they have moved the deceased to their facility, you will need to

have an in-person or virtual arrangement conference. Usually, the two most important decisions you’ll need to

make are the type of final disposition and whether or not to have an in-person funeral or memorial service.

The two primary methods of disposition are traditional burial or cremation. In general, full-body burials are

pricier due to the need to purchase a casket and cemetery plot. Following the cremation, the ashes can be laid to

rest in multiple ways including scattering, burial, or kept at a safe location.

The other decision will be whether or not to have some kind of funeral or memorial service. A funeral service is

one in which the deceased in present in an open or closed casket. A memorial service is one in which the decease

is either not present or only the deceased’s ashes are present. A service can add to the cost, but often times

provide important closure for the family host and guests.

Parting Words

After the arrangement conference, the funeral provider should take care of the process. For those who wish to use

our virtual gatherings, we generally suggest having a cremation with no in-person service at the funeral home in

order to reduce cost. Our virtual gatherings can also accommodate an in-person portion at your home or location

of your choice.