What do I need to do now?
Call HILLS FUNERAL CHAPEL immediately at 988-5922 for South Dayton area; 257-3914 for Cattaraugus area; and
532-1318 for Gowanda area to make any funeral arrangements.
Pre-Arrangements and Pre-Paid or Pre-Funding
It is recommended that you consider making pre-arrangements with Hills Funeral Chapel and setting aside money in an irrevocable trust account for your future needs. This pre-planning helps address the financial and emotional needs of your family and friends and will allow time to prepare a well-thought out and appropriate plan so at the time death occurs most of the pertinent information is already dealt with and only updates or specific changes may need to be made.
When a death occurs - At Need Services
Contact Hills Funeral Chapel immediately. Once we have been contacted, we will follow instructions from the family in caring for the body including preparation and embalming for private and/or public viewing and traditional funeral services; traditional funeral services followed by cremation; cremation with visitation and memorial services; direct cremation with no memorial visitation or service; or immediate/direct or green burial arrangements will be determined. After this initial consultation an arrangement meeting time will be made.
During the arrangement meeting, which may take 2-3 hours depending on the simplicity or complexity of services, all aspects of the funeral services including visitation, casket, vault or urn choices, memorial and acknowledgement folders, register book, and all other merchadise to help fulfill the needs of the survivors will be made. Information for the death certificate and funeral notices are completed at this time.
The family will need to bring clothing, including all undergarments, glasses, dentures, jewelry; military papers and discharge papers; social security information; cemetery deed or information; choice of clergy; current photograph if available; information about the persons's birth, parents, siblings; work and education history; club and organization memberships, hobbies, interests; survivor information; as well as any other pertinent information the family would like to share. A TV monitor with DVD player is available along with easels and photo boards for displaying photos and videos. Payment plan information should be available at the time of arrangements. See our Payment Policy below.
PAYMENT POLICY Payment Arrangements are made prior to providing any funeral services
1. Cash or verified check payable to Hills Funeral Chapel on or before the day of services. You are responsible for any fees incurred in collection of funds including legal fees.
2. Assignment or proceeds from any valid life, funeral or other insurance policy or funeral trust or burial account policy including pre-paid irrevocable trust accounts and should be made payable to Hills Funeral Chapel.
3. Payment plan arranged through an appropriate lending institution, bank, PayPal or credit union.
4. Payment through an approved County Medical Assitance Department of Social Services or DDSO [Developmental Disabilities Services Organization]. Eligibility and funding vary by county of residence and once approved are generally for only limited funeral services. We will assist in making these contacts.
5. A funeral services contract will be provided at the time of the funeral arrangement meeting or pre-arrangement meeting and will include all funeral costs made at the time of those arrangements. This is a legal and binging contract.
PRIVACY POLICY
Hills Funeral Chapel takes your right to privacy seriously and with due respect. For your protection, no information will be given to anyone such as addresses, telephone numbers or other non-public information without your express written permission.
