Frequently Asked Questions
When a Death Occurs
Cremation
Burial
Other
What do I do when a death occurs unexpectedly?
When a death occurs, there are several important steps to take. The process may vary depending on where the death takes place, but knowing what to expect can help reduce stress during a difficult time.
- If the death occurs at a hospital or nursing facility, the medical staff will notify the family first so loved ones may spend time together if they wish. The staff will then contact the funeral home chosen by the family.
- If the death occurs at home while under hospice care, the family should contact the hospice provider, who will then notify the funeral home.
- If the death is unexpected or occurs outside of a medical facility or hospice care, local law enforcement should be contacted immediately.
- Notify close family members and friends who can provide support and assist with arrangements. If no funeral home has been selected, a funeral home will need to be chosen to help with burial or cremation arrangements.
- Depending on personal or religious beliefs, you may wish to contact clergy or spiritual advisors.
- Inform family, friends, and coworkers. Having a prepared list of important contacts can be very helpful during this time.
- Arrange care for children, pets, or others who may depend on immediate assistance.
- Contact the deceased’s employer to ask about benefits, unpaid compensation, or possible life insurance policies.
- Review any pre-arranged funeral plans, insurance policies, or written final wishes left by your loved one.
- Certified copies of the death certificate may be needed to access bank accounts, insurance policies, and other important records.
How do I prepare for my first meeting with Bradbury Memorial Center?
At your first appointment, our staff will guide you through each step of the arrangement process with compassion and care. We encourage you to come prepared with any questions you may have — we are here to provide support, answer concerns, and help make the process as comfortable as possible.
During the meeting, we will gather important information needed to complete the death certificate and other necessary documents, including details such as the place of death, Social Security number, veteran status or benefits eligibility, and information needed for certified death certificates. We will also spend time learning about your loved one so we can help create a meaningful funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life that reflects their personality and legacy.
If you are planning a traditional service or viewing, please bring any clothing, jewelry, eyeglasses, photographs, or personal items you would like included or used to help honor your loved one.
What happens if someone dies while traveling away from home?
Funeral directors regularly work together to coordinate the transportation of a loved one from city to city, state to state, and even internationally. If a death occurs while traveling or away from home, it is important to contact both your local hometown funeral home and the funeral home in the area where your loved one is currently located.
Together, the funeral directors will guide the family through the process and coordinate all necessary arrangements to ensure your loved one is transported safely, respectfully, and efficiently to their desired destination. Our staff is available to assist with every step and help make a difficult situation as manageable as possible.
Is an obituary necessary?
An obituary is more than a notice of death — it is a lasting tribute to a life lived and an opportunity to share a person’s story, accomplishments, relationships, and legacy with family, friends, and the community. Obituaries also provide important information regarding funeral, memorial, or celebration of life services, helping loved ones come together in remembrance and support.
At Bradbury Memorial Center, we believe deeply in the importance of honoring each life through a meaningful obituary. Whether brief or detailed, an obituary serves as a final message of remembrance and a permanent record for future generations. While many newspapers and print publications have fees and word-count limitations, we are proud to provide a dedicated space on our website where families can share and preserve obituaries for those we have had the privilege to serve.
What determines the cost of a funeral?
The cost of a funeral or memorial service is primarily determined by the type of services and merchandise selected. At Bradbury Memorial Center, we believe families should have clear information and the opportunity to make decisions that best fit their needs, preferences, and budget.
We are happy to provide a General Price List before any arrangements are made. This guide outlines the services we offer along with associated costs, including available burial, cremation, memorial service options, caskets, and urns. We are committed to offering meaningful and personalized choices for every family, with options available to accommodate a wide range of styles and budgets.
Do I have rights as a consumer?
Can my loved one be cremated at Bradbury Memorial Center?
Bradbury Memorial Center proudly operates an onsite crematory, allowing your loved one to remain in our care throughout the entire cremation process. From the moment they are entrusted to us, all arrangements and services are handled directly at our facility with dignity, respect, and professionalism. Families may also choose to be present at the beginning of the cremation process if they wish.
After the cremation is complete, the cremated remains are returned to the family in an urn for placement in the home, interment in a cemetery or columbarium, or scattering in a meaningful location chosen to honor and remember their loved one.
Can I be present for my loved one's cremation?
Yes. At Bradbury Memorial Center, families may choose to be present for the beginning of the cremation process as part of saying their final goodbye and honoring their loved one in a meaningful way.
Once the cremation is complete, the cremated remains are returned to the family in an urn for placement in the home, interment in a cemetery or columbarium, or scattering in a special location chosen to celebrate and remember their loved one’s life.
Can I scatter cremated remains in Arizona?
Scattering cremated remains is safe and does not pose a health risk to you, your family, or the public. Many families choose scattering as a meaningful way to honor their loved one in a place that held special significance to them.
In Arizona, there are generally no state laws restricting where cremated remains may be scattered. However, if you plan to scatter ashes anywhere other than private property, we recommend checking any applicable city, county, state, or federal regulations beforehand.
In Arizona, cremated remains may commonly be scattered:
- On private property
- On public land
- On federal land
- In lakes or rivers
- By air
If you have questions about scattering options or would like guidance on choosing a meaningful location, the staff at Bradbury Memorial Center is always available to assist you.
Can I scatter cremated remains in California?
Scattering cremated remains is safe and poses no health risk to you or the public. Many families find comfort in choosing a meaningful location to honor and remember their loved one.
In California, state law allows cremated remains to be scattered by:
- Employees of a licensed cemetery, crematory, or funeral home
- Family members of the deceased
- Any individual who has the legal authority to scatter the ashes
If you plan to scatter ashes anywhere other than your own private property, written permission should be obtained from the property owner or governing agency beforehand.
In California, cremated remains may commonly be scattered:
- On private property
- On public land
- On federal land
- At sea
- In lakes or rivers
- By air
- In designated scattering gardens at churches, cemeteries, funeral homes, or memorial parks
If you would like additional guidance regarding scattering cremated remains in California, the staff at Bradbury Memorial Center is available to answer your questions and assist you with the process.
Can I transport cremated remains myself?
Yes, cremated remains can be transported, and your funeral director can provide the necessary documentation for identification and travel purposes.
Cremated remains are always returned in an urn, and there are many options available depending on your needs and preferences. These include traditional urns, decorative urns, biodegradable urns for water scattering, scattering urns, keepsake or token urns for sharing among family members, and “green” urn options for environmentally conscious families.
Cremated remains may also be hand-carried on most airlines when properly packaged and accompanied by the required documentation. The container must be suitable for airport security screening, including X-ray inspection. We always recommend contacting your airline in advance to confirm their specific requirements, as international travel may require additional paperwork and guidelines.
Can I take my loved one's cremated remains home?
Yes. There are many meaningful and personal reasons families choose to bring cremated remains into the home, and this is completely acceptable.
An urn may be displayed or kept in the home for as long as you wish, in a place that feels comfortable and respectful to your loved one’s memory. The National Funeral Directors Association recommends considering a long-term plan for the eventual final placement of cremated remains, such as interment, scattering, or placement in a permanent memorial location.
It is also a good idea to ensure that a trusted family member or friend is aware of your wishes for the urn in the future, so there is clear guidance on what should be done with the remains when the time comes.
Where can I bury my loved one in or near Lake Havasu City?
If you or loved one has chosen to be buried, Lake Havasu City has one cemetery, Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens.
If the deceased person or their spouse is a veteran, they can be buried at any Veterans Cemetery. Read more about planning a funeral for a U.S. veteran.
Why is one casket more expensive than the next?
The price of a casket is primarily determined by the materials used in its construction, as well as the type of interior lining and craftsmanship.
At Bradbury Memorial Center, our funeral director will review the casket price list with each family and provide clear information on pricing, materials, and construction details. This allows families to make informed choices that best fit their preferences, needs, and budget.
What does "burial" mean?
Burial practices, like cremation, have been a part of human history across many cultures and traditions. For many, these practices are guided by religious beliefs, while for others they reflect personal preference and family tradition.
Burial options can vary, but most commonly involve placing a casket or an urn in a cemetery burial plot. Cremated remains may also be placed in a columbarium niche, which is a dedicated space designed for the respectful placement of urns. In some cases, human remains may be placed in a mausoleum, an above-ground structure that provides an alternative to in-ground burial. Mausoleums can range from simple and private to large and architecturally elaborate, depending on the cemetery and location.
What are the most visited gravesites in the United States?
Some of the most visited gravesites in the United States include the resting places of individuals whose lives left a lasting historical, cultural, or national impact. These sites often serve as places of reflection, remembrance, and public interest, drawing visitors from around the world.
Examples include:
- Arlington National Cemetery (Arlington, Virginia) — a national military cemetery honoring service members and veterans
- President John F. Kennedy’s Gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery — marked by the Eternal Flame
- Elvis Presley’s Gravesite at Graceland (Memphis, Tennessee)
- Marilyn Monroe’s Gravesite at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery (Los Angeles, California)
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery
- Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery (Springfield, Illinois)
These sites are often visited not only to honor the individuals buried there, but also to reflect on their legacy and the impact they had on history, culture, and society.
What is a National Cemetery?
National Cemeteries are federally operated burial grounds reserved primarily for eligible U.S. military veterans who have been honorably discharged, along with certain qualified family members.
There are more than 150 National Cemeteries across 42 states and Puerto Rico, as well as additional soldiers’ lots and monument sites throughout the country. It is important to note that not every state has a National Cemetery.
In Arizona, there are two National Cemeteries available to veterans and their families: one located in Phoenix and another in Prescott.
What is a State Cemetery?
Some U.S. states have established State Veterans Cemeteries. Eligibility is like the federally operated cemeteries when it comes to veteran burial eligibility, but often times the state’s eligibility includes residency requirements.
In Arizona, there are five State Veterans Cemeteries located in the cities of Bellemont, Marana, Tucson, San Carlos, and Sierra Vista.
How can payment be made?
Bradbury Memorial Center accepts all major credit cards, with the exception of Discover, as well as cash and check.
We accept CareCredit.
The cost of final arrangements is something not everyone is prepared for. We are proud to offer our families CareCredit. To apply please visit www.CareCredit.com
What is your privacy policy?
At Bradbury Memorial Center, we are committed to protecting the privacy of our families. We believe that the information shared or that is obtained from you is personal. Our staff is here to ensure that the information you share remains confidential. We understand that your trust in us is our most important asset. As part of this commitment to your trust, we have adopted this privacy policy.
This statement of our policy is designed to help you understand how we ensure that your privacy is protected, and how we manage confidential information.
INFORMATION COVERED BY THIS POLICY
Our Privacy Policy covers all personal information that we obtain in the course of serving you and your family. We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.
HOW WE OBTAIN PERSONAL INFORMATION
We receive most of our information directly from what you or your family share with us. Information is also collected from these sources:
- Funeral pre-planning activities
- Cemetery arrangements
- Medical and law enforcement personnel, such as the Medical Examiner
- Hospital or care facility
- The doctor and/or the doctor’s staff responsible for care
- Other third party sources used in providing funeral and cemetery services to you and your family
HOW WE KEEP YOUR INFORMATION SECURE
Confidential information about you or your family is of the highest concern to us. The need for a high level of confidentiality is part of our staff culture. It is our policy to restrict access to your personal, financial and account information. That information will only be provided to the staff who need to know that information in order to provide the services you have requested.
WHOM WE SHARE INFORMATION WITH
In order to best serve you and your family, it may be necessary to share personal information. For example, information that is gathered and authorized for release by you or your family for an obituary or notice of death to the community, is considered public information and not directly subject to our policy. In planning funeral or cemetery arrangements, it is often necessary to share information about the deceased and events in order to facilitate what you and your family have planned. At times, it is necessary to share information with other members of your family, the person designated by you to officiate at an event, our suppliers and other third-party companies, such as florists, outside cemeteries, insurance companies, etc.
Bradbury Memorial will also share personal information, when necessary, to:
- Protect against fraud
- Respond to a legal request for information, such as a subpoena
- Service your account
Finally, Bradbury Memorial Center does not sell any information that we gather to outside organizations.
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