FAQs

What happens first depends on where and how the death occurred. If your loved one was receiving care through a hospital, nursing facility or hospice program, the care team will generally help notify the appropriate people. If the death occurred unexpectedly or at home without hospice care, contact emergency services. Once the appropriate medical professional has been notified, call Shawgo Memorial Home at (309) 329-2125. We will explain what happens next and coordinate the immediate arrangements.

You may contact us as soon as a death occurs. You do not need to know which type of service you want or have every detail decided before calling. We will first help with the immediate steps, then arrange a time to discuss the service and other decisions when your family is ready.

We can coordinate the transfer of your loved one into our care, help prepare and file necessary paperwork, assist with obituary information, communicate with cemeteries and service participants, and plan the funeral or memorial. We will also explain merchandise, cremation and burial options and identify which decisions need immediate attention. Our goal is to carry the practical details carefully so your family does not have to manage them alone.

Working with a family-owned funeral home means receiving care from people who are personally connected to the business and the community it serves. Four generations of the Shawgo family have helped local families through times of loss, passing down practical experience and a commitment to compassionate service. Decisions are made locally, and our family is directly accountable for the care yours receives.

A funeral is generally held with the body present, while a memorial service takes place without the body present. Both offer family and friends an opportunity to gather, remember and support one another. Funerals are often held shortly after a death, while memorial services provide greater flexibility in timing and location. Either type of service can be personalized to reflect the life being honored.

Yes. Choosing cremation does not prevent your family from holding a visitation or funeral. You may have a traditional service with the body present before cremation, hold a memorial service after cremation or arrange a private family gathering. We will explain the available options and help you create an arrangement that feels right for your family.

Begin with any wishes your loved one expressed, along with your family’s beliefs, traditions and needs. You may also consider whether viewing the body is important, when relatives can gather and whether burial or cremation has been selected. You do not need to make these decisions alone. We will listen to what matters, explain each option and help you choose a meaningful and appropriate service.

Yes. A service may include favorite music, meaningful readings, photographs, videos, personal belongings, family traditions or stories that capture your loved one’s personality. Friends and relatives may also participate by sharing memories, offering readings or serving in other roles. Personalization does not have to be elaborate; even a few thoughtful details can make the service feel deeply connected to the life being remembered.

Yes. We work with families from different faith traditions as well as those who prefer a nonreligious service. A gathering may follow familiar customs, combine selected traditions or take a more informal approach. We will respect your family’s beliefs and help coordinate with clergy, celebrants or other participants when desired.

Yes. A funeral or memorial does not have to be open to the public. Some families choose a private viewing, small ceremony or gathering limited to invited relatives and friends. We can help you create a quieter arrangement while still incorporating meaningful music, readings, memories or traditions.

The total cost depends on the services and merchandise selected. Factors may include professional services, care and preparation, use of facilities and vehicles, burial or cremation, the casket or urn, cemetery requirements and outside charges such as death certificates, obituary fees, flowers or honorariums. We will explain which costs are controlled by the funeral home and which are paid to outside providers.

Yes. We will review the available services and products and explain their costs before arrangements are finalized. Your family will be able to see how individual choices affect the total and ask questions about any item you do not understand. We want you to have the information needed to make comfortable, informed decisions.

Payment options may include cash, checks and qualifying life insurance assignments. Because policies and individual circumstances can vary, we recommend discussing payment arrangements with us during the arrangement meeting. We will explain the current terms, timing and documentation that apply to your family.

Third-party financing may be available for qualifying applicants. Shawgo Memorial Home does not make financing decisions or guarantee approval. If you are interested, we can explain the current provider and application process during the arrangement meeting so you can decide whether to apply.

Pre-planning records your preferences for the funeral, memorial, burial or cremation. Pre-funding is the separate decision to make financial arrangements for some or all of those plans. You may document your wishes without paying in advance. We will explain both options so you can decide what is appropriate for you.

Meeting with Shawgo Memorial Home allows you to record your preferences and keep detailed pre-arrangement information on file. We can also provide copies of relevant documents for you and the people who may be responsible for your arrangements. Letting trusted family members know that a plan exists can provide additional clarity later.

Yes. Preferences, family circumstances and plans may change over time. You may review and update your pre-arrangements so they continue to reflect your wishes. If your plan includes a funding product, we will also explain whether changes could affect its terms or value.

Your written preferences can still provide useful guidance if you move. The transfer or use of any pre-funded arrangement will depend on the specific contract or policy. Contact us before or after a move, and we can review your documents and explain the options that apply to your plan.

When readily available, helpful items may include your loved one’s Social Security number, veteran discharge papers, cemetery or pre-planning documents, life insurance information, a photograph for the obituary and clothing for a viewing. You may also bring notes about music, readings, participants or service preferences. Do not delay contacting us because something is missing; we will help you determine what is needed and what can be provided later.

We may discuss burial or cremation, the type and timing of the service, visitation, obituary information, cemetery arrangements, music and readings, participants and merchandise such as a casket or urn. Not every decision must be made immediately. We will explain which choices need attention first and guide you through the rest one step at a time.

The number varies according to the person’s financial, legal and personal affairs. Certified copies may be requested by banks, insurance companies, retirement plans, government agencies or others handling an account or benefit. We can help you think through likely needs, but requirements differ, so confirm whether each organization needs a certified copy or will accept another form of documentation.

Yes. We can communicate with cemeteries, help coordinate the date and time of burial, explain cemetery requirements and connect you with the appropriate contact when a plot must be selected. For many cemeteries in south Fulton County and northeast Schuyler County, we can either assist with a lot or help identify the person you need to contact.