Making Arrangements
No, you are not required to post an obituary notice in a newspaper or public space. However, it is nice to provide information about your loved one’s passing on the Forest Lawn website at least. This allows the family to share service details with other family members and friends who would like to honor and remember your loved one. Forest Lawn can help you with this.
At Forest Lawn, we understand the demands and emotions that a loss can bring. To make it easier on you, we have created this list of information and documents to bring with you to the arrangement conference.
- Advance Directives – If the deceased left any written advance directives concerning the disposition of their remains and memorialization, you need to bring them with you. These instructions may be found in a will. There also may be a formally witnessed disposition directive, funeral pre-arrangements or a pre-need contract.
- Military Discharge Papers
- Cemetery Property – Details on any cemetery property owned by the deceased or the family, including a grave plot, columbarium space, etc.
- Recent Photograph of the Deceased – Also bring any personal effects that you wish to be included in the viewing or burial.
- Specific Information About the Deceased:
- Full legal name
- Address
- Marital status
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Place of birth (city and state)
- Educational history (number of years of schooling)
- U.S. military service dates and serial number (for veterans benefits)
- Occupation or profession
- Parents’ names, including mother’s maiden name
- Next of kin and other survivors
Forest Lawn Hours and Space
Although it will be centuries before Forest Lawn has developed all the acres of land within its grounds, it will continue to operate, serving the community in perpetuity since we are a perpetual care cemetery.
No, there is no risk of running out of space in the near future. In fact, only around 150 of Forest Lawn’s 349 acres are currently developed. This not only includes the cemetery plots, but also includes an arboretum with four champion state trees and is one of the only cemeteries in the country to be designated as a bird sanctuary.
Forest Lawn is a nonprofit cemetery with a dedicated trust fund established as a perpetual care fund to ensure ongoing maintenance and upkeep, such as mowing, road repairs and landscaping. A portion of each plot purchase fee contributes to this perpetual fund, which will continue to make Forest Lawn one of America’s most beautiful cemeteries long after all burial plots are sold.
Yes, even on holidays, the Forest Lawn cemetery gates open daily at 7 a.m. and close at either 6, 7 or 8 p.m., depending on the time of year and when sunset occurs.
The Forest Lawn cemetery and funeral home office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feel free to stop in to speak to a staff member.
Funeral Services
Nebraska state law does not require a vault for burial. However, most cemeteries, including Forest Lawn, do require an outside container for the casket. We do this for several reasons. First, the outside container keeps the earth from settling and creating uneven land surfaces that affect the footing of visitors and the cemetery’s appearance. Second, an even surface makes it easier for cemetery caretakers to maintain the landscape, which offer you a more beautiful cemetery at a lower cost. Finally, many families choose to have a burial vault because it provides greater durability than a grave liner with an added layer of protection. There are many types of vaults available, and we would be happy to show you the differences, so you’re able to choose what’s best for your loved one.
A funeral provides an opportunity for the living to show respect for a loved one and honor their memory with a tribute to their life. For many, a funeral is the first step in the healing process. It allows family and friends to gather in an atmosphere of care and support to share thoughts and feelings about the person they have lost. It gives people permission to grieve loss, share in solidarity, and gain strength from others who are experiencing the same loss. For these reasons, Forest Lawn takes tremendous care in helping families make arrangements that reflect the preferences of the individual and the family.
When it comes to funerals, there are many ways to celebrate the life of a loved one. At Forest Lawn, we believe in personalizing every service to celebrate the details that made that person special, while also making it meaningful to the family. For some, that might mean holding a service in our chapel. We can also arrange a visitation or a celebration of life in our beautiful reception parlor to allow family and friends to gather to share a meal – along with stories of their loved one. By asking questions and talking about options, we can help the family make decisions about funeral arrangements that truly reflect personal preferences, traditions and interests of the individual being remembered and celebrated.
Some families make these decisions part of their pre-planning process. This leaves fewer questions and decisions to make at the time of loss. Feel free to ask us about the Forest Lawn Personal Planning Guide.
Casket Burial
Nebraska state law does not require a vault for burial. However, most cemeteries, including Forest Lawn, do require an outside container for the casket. We do this for several reasons. First, the outside container keeps the earth from settling and creating uneven land surfaces that affect the footing of visitors and the cemetery’s appearance. Second, an even surface makes it easier for cemetery caretakers to maintain the landscape, which offer you a more beautiful cemetery at a lower cost. Finally, many families choose to have a burial vault because it provides greater durability than a grave liner with an added layer of protection. There are many types of vaults available, and we would be happy to show you the differences, so you’re able to choose what’s best for your loved one.
Cremation Services
No, two cremations are never performed at once. Not only is it illegal to do so, most modern cremation chambers are not able to accommodate more than one adult. This makes it a practical impossibility to conduct multiple cremations simultaneously.
Yes, a funeral is encouraged for everyone regardless of whether you choose cremation or traditional burial. It is an important part of the grieving process, allowing family and friends to gather in tribute to the loved one.
No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment for the body’s final disposition. It often follows a traditional funeral service. Speak to a Forest Lawn funeral director who will assist you with the necessary information for a funeral with a cremation following, a memorial service and other options that are available to you.
Yes, Forest Lawn has many options available in the cemetery for couples that choose a different final disposition – allowing you to remain together.
Here at Forest Lawn, the options for cremation and services are numerous. From memorial services and celebrations of life, to special remembrances, we offer a variety of options. We also understand how important permanent placement is for memorializing your loved one. Again, there are many options to choose from. We have in-ground burial, with personalized markers, headstones and memorials, granite and glass front niches in our mausoleum, private and public columbariums, as well as benches, and even a scattering garden. Our staff can share the options with you – and even take you on a tour of the Forest Lawn Cemetery and mausoleum to help you make the decision that is right for you.
Viewing and Visitation
Yes. Some families choose to have a viewing of the loved one before cremation. Forest Lawn can provide you with information about this.
Yes. None of these procedures will affect your ability to have an open casket viewing.
A viewing — also known as a visitation, wake or calling hours — provides a chance to have a loved one present, come to terms with the reality of the loss, and say a final farewell. It can include an open or closed casket. A visitation often helps family and friends accept the reality of their loss, especially for those who may not have seen him or her in a while. This opportunity is seen as an important step on the road to healing
Still have questions?
If your question isn’t listed here or you need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help and happy to assist with any additional questions.
