WHAT IS CARE?

In our profession, there is a very small word that is frequently used and that is, ‘CARE’. The word ‘care’ often refers to the means in which someone is prepared for viewing, and held until the day of the funeral. It’s a universal term, and the true meaning can have varying interpretations depending upon the individual Funeral Director.

The Searson Family Funeral Service clearly defines the difference between ‘Care’ and ‘Preparation’ and openly promotes their commitment to both. We base our commitment to ‘Care’ on the assumption that every deceased person who comes into our Funeral Homes is, in fact, a guest of our family. As such, guests are given due consideration to their comfort, courtesy and, above all else, their dignity. We would not do anything that would compromise any of these fundamental issues in any way.

Care of a loved one is expected and isn’t something we place a price tag on. Caring is essential and something we do routinely, and without compromise. However, when families wish for their loved one to be prepared for visiting, there are a number of ways in which we can provide a preparation service.

Preparation is the procedure involved in making the deceased presentable for viewing in our Chapel of Rest. Due to natural changes that occur after death, Mother Nature can affect the way in which a loved one appears. In addition, circumstances and causes of death can also significantly change the stability and condition of your loved one.

Our responsibility to you, and your loved one, is to control these natural changes in a dignified and courteous way, to provide a pleasing and reassuring viewing experience. Preparation is also a responsible duty to the person who has died, to provide them the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Hygienic Treatment

The main area of ‘care’ that often gets unmentioned, or even overlooked by the Funeral Director, is the housing of the deceased and the means of maintaining stability during the funeral arrangement period. More often the word ‘care’ means that a loved one will be simply placed in a refrigerated unit, untendered and wrapped in plastic sheeting. This method of housing can be a prolonged period if viewing is not taking place.

Should families wish to visit their loved one then the deceased is removed from refrigeration for the visit and returned back after. The Searson Family Funeral Service do NOT consider, or even advocate long term refrigeration as a dignified and respectful means of extending ‘Care’ to a guest. Refrigeration does not afford an appropriate level of comfort and courtesy, it doesn’t stop nature’s natural onset and it certainly proves detrimental to the visual appearance as time goes on.

To afford the ‘care’ we feel is essential to any guest of our family; we encourage Hygienic Treatment to be carried out. Hygienic Treatment, often referred to as embalming, extends so many benefits, not only to the care of a guest but, equally, it enhances and sustains a more faithful representation of how the deceased once looked in life.

Caring for the deceased

Hygienic Treatment is NOT a way of increasing profit for our business, this aspect of our service is included within our ‘Care of the Deceased’ charge. Considering that many other local funeral directors charge the same or, in some businesses, charge more than we do for just basic refrigeration care, Hygienic Treatment, therefore, extends exceptional value in so many ways. Add the benefits such as professional hair care and styling, and dressing in clothes provided, aspects which some funeral directors make an additional charge for.

The Benefits of Hygienic Treatment

The main benefits of Hygienic Treatment are that we can sustain a period of visiting indefinitely in most cases. We encourage families to visit the Chapel of Rest knowing that their loved one will look the same, day, after day, week after week. Hygienic Treatment will enhance natural hydration that is lost after death. Refrigeration causes severe dehydration. It means that Mother Nature and her natural onset can be controlled in a way that will have little visual affect on the appearance.

Hygienic Treatment means that your loved one can rest in a warm environment and that you can visit in a warm Chapel. Hygienic Treatment means that the deceased person in our care will have a more comfortable stay, they will have their dignity retained and will not suffer any compromise.

The Procedures Involved

We are the ONLY Funeral Director locally who carries out Hygienic Treatment on a regular basis. We ask each and every family for their permission, we explain what we will be doing, why and, should they wish, view our facilities. We have made a heavy financial commitment in providing the level of care that we feel is necessary. Our facilities and the technology employed are continuingly assessed and improved.

Should any family request that Hygienic Treatment be not carried out, this request will be honoured and a controlled environment will be maintained to keep our guest comfortable. However, in our experience, once a family know what is being done, why and by whom, it is very rare that permission is not given. It is reasonable to say that Hygienic Treatment is a dual function procedure; it is a form of preparation that enhances care. However, ‘care’ can be extended in every case, even without Hygienic Treatment, it just means he have to extend ‘care’ in a different way.

Should you want to learn more about Hygienic Treatment and the procedures involved.. Alternatively, ask to speak with Andy Searson who will be more than willing to answer ANY question you may have.

We’re proud of what we achieve

Any Funeral Director should be able to explain their procedures in maintaining a high level of ‘Care’. It is our fundamental role and, as such, every Funeral Director should have facilities to deliver this commitment. You also have a right to view the facilities that are being made available; after all you are in effect paying for them.

As such, a Funeral Director should be willing to show off to any family the facilities that they take great pride in. If they don’t, questions should be asked as to their suitability and credibility to extend this most important aspect of the funeral process.