Death isn't exactly a dinner table topic. But when it happens, everything moves fast. Most people in the community have heard the name Savory and Sons Funeral Home, yet few actually know what goes on behind the scenes until they’re sitting in one of those quiet, upholstered rooms. It's a heavy business. It’s also a deeply local one.
In an era where massive corporations are buying up small-town funeral parlors, Savory and Sons stands as a bit of a localized anomaly. They’ve been around long enough to see the industry shift from simple pine boxes to high-tech digital memorials. Honestly, the way we grieve has changed, but the logistics? Those are still pretty gritty. Dealing with permits, embalming regulations, and the sheer bureaucracy of a death certificate is enough to make anyone’s head spin during a crisis.
The Reality of Choosing Savory and Sons Funeral Home
Why do people go there? Usually, it’s tradition. Or proximity.
When you walk into Savory and Sons Funeral Home, you’re walking into a space designed to be neutral. That’s the point. It’s supposed to be a blank canvas for whatever a family is feeling. Some folks find that comforting; others find it a bit sterile. But you’ve got to look at the track record. The family-owned vibe—even if it feels a little old-school—often means you aren’t dealing with a call center in another state. You’re dealing with people who live in the same zip code.
Navigating the Cost Conversation
Let’s be real. Funerals are expensive. According to data from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the median cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial is hovering around $8,000 to $10,000 these days. That doesn't even include the cemetery plot or the headstone. Savory and Sons has to balance these industry-standard costs with the expectations of a community that remembers when things were cheaper.
It’s easy to feel like you’re being "sold" during a consultation. You aren't. Most of the time, the funeral directors are just following the "Funeral Rule," a piece of federal law enforced by the FTC that requires them to give you a General Price List (GPL) upfront. If they don't hand you that paper immediately, that's a red flag. Thankfully, Savory and Sons has a reputation for being pretty transparent about the math.
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Traditional Burial vs. The Rise of Cremation
For decades, the standard was simple: casket, viewing, church service, graveside. But things are shifting. Fast.
The cremation rate in the U.S. has skyrocketed, recently surpassing 60%. Savory and Sons Funeral Home has had to pivot to stay relevant. They offer "direct cremation," which is basically the no-frills option where the body is cremated shortly after death without a formal viewing. It’s the most affordable route. Then there’s "cremation with a service," which is sort of a middle ground.
- The Traditionalist: Still wants the mahogany casket and the floral sprays.
- The Modernist: Might want a "celebration of life" at a park with a photo slideshow and a jazz band.
- The Minimalist: Just wants the paperwork done and the ashes returned in a simple urn.
One thing people often get wrong is thinking cremation means you can't have a funeral. You can. In fact, many families at Savory and Sons choose to have a traditional wake with the body present, followed by cremation instead of burial. It gives that sense of closure without the $5,000 cemetery bill.
What Happens in the First 24 Hours?
It's a blur. Truly.
When a loved one passes, the "first call" is what starts the engine. If the person died at home, the police or a hospice nurse is usually there first. Then, Savory and Sons gets the call. They dispatch a team to transport the deceased. This is the part nobody likes to talk about, but it's handled with a specific kind of professional stoicism.
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The funeral director then sits down with the family to handle the "arrangements." This is where you decide on the details.
- Is there a pre-paid plan?
- What does the obituary need to say?
- Are we doing a religious service or something secular?
It's basically event planning, but with a crushing weight of grief attached to it. Savory and Sons tends to handle the paperwork side of things—like filing the death certificate with the county—which is a godsend when you can barely remember to eat.
The Complexity of Grief and Professional Empathy
There’s a specific kind of burnout that happens in this industry. Funeral directors at places like Savory and Sons Funeral Home see people at their absolute worst. Every single day. It takes a certain temperament. You’ve probably noticed that "funeral director voice"—low, calm, slightly hushed. It's not a performance; it’s a tool. It keeps the room from vibrating with too much anxiety.
But don't mistake that calm for a lack of options. One of the biggest misconceptions about older funeral homes is that they are stuck in the 1950s. While the wallpaper might look like it, most modern homes, including Savory and Sons, offer digital archiving and live-streaming services. This became a necessity during the 2020 pandemic and honestly, it never went away. Now, if Grandma can't fly in from Florida, she watches the service on a private YouTube link. It’s weird, but it works.
Why Local Ownership Actually Matters
You might think a funeral home is a funeral home. Not quite.
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Consolidation is huge in the "death care" industry. Large corporations like Service Corporation International (SCI) own hundreds of locations across the country. They often keep the original family name on the sign (like Savory and Sons) because they know people trust the local brand. However, when you look at the fine print, the management is corporate.
Savory and Sons, as a local staple, operates differently. They have a vested interest in the local Little League team or the neighborhood church. If they mess up a funeral, they hear about it at the grocery store. That local accountability is the "secret sauce" of their longevity. They can't afford a bad reputation.
Practical Steps for Families Right Now
If you are currently looking at options or planning ahead, don't just walk in blind. There are things you can do to make the process at Savory and Sons Funeral Home—or anywhere else—less overwhelming.
- Request the General Price List (GPL) via email first. You have the legal right to see prices before you step foot in the building. This helps you compare costs without the emotional pressure of being in a viewing room.
- Discuss "Pre-Need" carefully. Pre-paying for a funeral can lock in today's prices, which is great. But make sure the funds are held in an irrevocable trust or a specialized insurance policy. You want to ensure that if the funeral home ever closed (unlikely, but possible), your money is protected.
- Don't feel pressured into embalming. Unless you are having an open-casket public viewing or certain state laws apply due to time delays, embalming is often optional. It’s a significant expense that isn't always "required" by law, despite what some might think.
- Shop for caskets elsewhere if you want. Federal law says a funeral home must accept a casket you bought online (like from Costco or Amazon) without charging you a "handling fee." It feels awkward, but it can save you $2,000.
Ultimately, dealing with Savory and Sons Funeral Home is about communication. They are experts in a field most of us want to ignore. By asking the right questions—specifically about cremation vs. burial costs and digital memorial options—you can ensure the service actually reflects the person who passed away rather than just following a cookie-cutter template.
The best way to handle the "business" of death is to be informed before the emotions take over. Take a breath. Read the price list. And remember that you have more control over the process than you might realize.