Frequently Asked Questions

What is a funeral?

A funeral is a ceremony for a deceased person prior to burial or cremation.  A funeral gives the opportunity for family and friends of the deceased to gather and mourn the passing of their loved one, to share cherished memories and celebrate their life.  A funeral is a vital first step to help the bereaved heal after the loss of someone special.

What type of service should I have?

If no pre-arrangements have been made, the type of service is entirely up to you.  Services are usually held at a funeral home or a place of worship.  There is a wealth of different services, ranging from a traditional religious or military service to something a little more non-traditional.  Our Funeral Coordinators are more than happy to work with you to determine what would be the most appropriate.

Can I personalize a funeral?

Of course you can.  There is no right or wrong way to celebrate someone’s life.  There are many unique ways to celebrate life, let the Funeral Coordinator know exactly what your desires are and they will honor your wishes.

Do we need to have a death notice and what is included in one?

The decision to have a death notice is entirely the choice of the family. However, if you choose to have one, notices can be placed in a local newspaper, on radio or even on television.  We will place a notice on our website with all the necessary details so that friend and family can look for any updates with regards to time, location and special requests. An obituary lets the public know that a death has occurred, and gives them information about the service.  Obituaries generally include the deceased’s full name, age or date of birth, city and the date of the passing.  It also includes the name of the deceased’s spouse, along with the names of anyone else significant in their lives, such as parents, children or grandchildren.  Space may be limited in a newspaper obituary, but you may include a little blurb on the life and legacy of the deceased.  Our online obituary and memorial pages offer you the opportunity to add a lot more about the deceased.

Who are Funeral Coordinators and what do they do?

Funeral Coordinators are responsible for all the logistics following a death.  They complete all the necessary paperwork, make arrangements for the transportation of the body, and put into action the choices made by the family with respect to the funeral service and the final resting place of the body.  Beyond the logistics, Funeral Coordinators are there to provide moral support and guidance for someone coping with death.

What happens if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?

We are here to help you always. J. E. Guide Funeral Home & Crematorium Limited operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

What if a death occurs abroad?

We can assist in arranging to have the body transported back home from anywhere in the world. We also do the reverse and repatriate to countries abroad from Trinidad. We will guide you through every step of the process and help you to make the proper arrangements.

What is embalming and what purpose does it serve?

Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body; it also slows down the decomposition process and enhances the appearance of the body damaged by traumatic death or illness.  Embalming gives time to the family of the deceased to arrange a service, and allows the family the option of having an open-casket.

Do I need to have an embalming?

No.  In fact some religions forbid embalming.  However, embalming is required in order to import or export a body.  If it is not against your religious custom, embalming may be recommended, especially if there is an extended gap between death and burial or cremation.

How much does a funeral cost?

The cost of a funeral varies depending on the wishes you have.  The cost includes all professional services such as transportation, embalming and other preparations, the use of a facility for the ceremony, purchase of a casket or urn and many other services.