Frequently asked questions

Firstly, we offer our deepest condolences. If a healthcare professional has officially pronounced that the death has occurred, you can call us at (804)733-8511 and fill out the form under immediate need. If you have any questions about the process, call us at any time.

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All you need to do is place a call to us at (804)733-8511. We can help lead you in the right direction.

Your funeral director can help you if a death occurs anywhere on the globe. The director will coordinate all arrangements that are needed to get your loved one safely back to their community. Please refer to "When a Death Occurs" for the key steps to follow in the event that your loved one passes while away from home.

An obituary notice serves to celebrate the life of a loved one. They're also nice for friends and family of the deceased, as they detail many aspects and memories of a person's life. Obituaries are posted on J.T. Morriss & Son's website and they can be published in local newspapers. Publishing an obituary can also help take some of the burden from having to notify many people about funeral details.

A funeral is a ceremony designed to honor, remember, and celebrate the life of a deceased individual. It provides a structured opportunity for family and friends to pay their respects, share memories, and offer support to one another.

A funeral director is a licensed individual who is trained to anticipate your needs and help you decide on the details of your service. You know your loved one best, a funeral director simply lends a guiding hand to help arrange any type of service that will honor and celebrate your loved one. Directors are also caregivers, planners, organizers, and advisors who are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person's having an exceptionally difficult time coping, and recommend sources of professional help.

Funerals come in various forms, including traditional services with religious or secular elements, graveside or committal services conducted at the burial site, memorial services held without the body, celebrations of life that focus on joyful remembrances, and direct burials or cremations without a preceding ceremony.

You have the utmost control in deciding the service you want. The funeral directors are there to help you understand all the options available so that you can plan a truly personalized service tailored to your loved one. A funeral is a celebration of life, and each life is lived in a unique way that can be honored with personalized aspects of the service. You can incorporate memories into the service, whether that be through the music selections, readings that reflect them, or a special type of flower. Above all, you should feel that the service appropriately reflects your loved one and the people they touched.

The key distinction lies in the presence of the body: a funeral service typically involves the body and occurs shortly after death, whereas a memorial service does not include the body and can be scheduled weeks or even months later, often allowing for more flexible planning.

No, not necessarily. Cremation is an alternative form of final disposition. Cremation can and frequently does still follow a funeral service. We can assist you with the necessary information about cremation, if this is an avenue you wish to explore.

A green funeral prioritizes environmental sustainability by using biodegradable material, avoiding chemical embalming, and opting for natural burial sites that minimize ecological impact.

After the funeral, the body is either buried or cremated, and many families choose to hold a reception or gathering. The grieving process continues, often with the support of family, friends, and professional grief counselors.

Funeral costs vary significantly based on the type of service, location, and additional options chosen. Generally, the cost of a funeral includes basic service fees, transportation of the body, embalming and preparation, use of facilities and staff for any services, the casket or urn, and expenses for the burial plot or cremation. To get more details on the cost and what is provided, we invite you to look at our General Price List. From there, a funeral director can help you with any questions.

Financial assistance for funerals can come from several sources, including Social Security benefits, veterans' benefits, life insurance, and state or local government aid. If the cost is a concern for you, we invite you to consider our partners at Memorial Discount Funerals & Online Cremation

Burial involves placing the body in a casket or cremated remains in an urn, which is then interred in a grave, usually within a cemetery. Burial has been a traditional practice across many cultures and religions for centuries.

Burial plot options include single plots, double-depth plots (where two caskets are placed in one grave, one on top of the other), family plots, and cremation plots, which are smaller and designed for urns.

The short answer is yes. However, you would need to apply to register said property with the state of Virginia, as well as get specific permits required by local county or city governments who also have regulations governing home burials. 

When selecting a cemetery, consider its location, the types of plots available, costs, maintenance services, the cemetery's rules and regulations, and the overall atmosphere and aesthetics of the grounds.

No. Due to safety issues which arise around the use of machinery on cemetery property and the protection of property, the actual opening and closing of the grave is conducted by cemetery grounds personnel.

A green or natural burial aims to minimize environmental impact by forgoing embalming, using biodegradable caskets or shrouds, and choosing natural burial sites without concrete vaults or headstones, allowing the body to decompose naturally. Forest Rest Natural Cemetery is the only place in southwest Virginia for natural burial without embalming.

Cremation is a method of final disposition where the body is reduced to ashes through intense heat. The process typically takes a few hours, completed by a certified professional, and is carried out in a specially designed furnace called a crematory.

Religious views on cremation vary. Many Christian denominations accept cremation, though practices may vary. Some religions, like Hinduism and Buddhism, traditionally prefer cremation. Other religions, such as Judaism and Islam, tend to favor traditional burial.

Yes. Many families choose to have a funeral service with the body present before cremation, or a memorial service with the cremated remains present afterward. This flexibility allows for personalized and meaningful ceremonies.

Cremated remains can be kept in an urn, scattered in a meaningful location, interred in a cemetery plot or columbarium, incorporated into jewelry or art, or even used in environmental projects such as reef-building.

We have developed a rigorous set of operating policies and procedures, including each cremation taking place individually with a specific disk number assigned to your loved one that stays with them for the entire process. This disk number can be found on the cremation certificate.

Yes. Some families opt for cremation followed by interment of the cremated remains in a cemetery plot or columbarium, allowing for a permanent memorial site while still choosing cremation.

Necessary legal documents include the death certificate, cremation authorization form (for cremation), and burial permit (for burial).

We will assist with all aspects of cremation and burial, including obtaining necessary permits, preparing the body, coordinating services, conducting the cremations at our crematory, providing transport, and offering support and guidance to the family.

Embalming is a process that preserves the body after death by using chemicals to delay decomposition, allowing for viewing and funeral services. Embalming is primarily done to preserve the body for viewing and funeral services, to prevent the spread of disease, and to allow time for the family members to make funeral arrangements and gather for the service.

Different religions have distinct views on embalming. Christianity and Catholicism generally accept the practice, allowing time for mourning and viewing. In contrast, Islam and Judaism typically prohibit embalming, favoring immediate and natural burial to honor the deceased. 

Embalming is not required by law in Virginia. However, certain situations, such as when a body needs to be transported over long distances or there will be an extended delay before the funeral, may necessitate embalming.

Talk to your funeral director, as viewing without embalming may be permitted under certain circumstances, such as religious beliefs.

Yes. Embalming does not interfere with the cremation process.