Obituaries

Charles Rummel
B: 1938-02-17
D: 2021-07-24
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Rummel, Charles
Waly Krotenberg
B: 1926-08-10
D: 2021-07-14
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Krotenberg, Waly
Margaret Bradbury
B: 1925-02-12
D: 2021-06-26
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Bradbury, Margaret
Joan Ebert
B: 1933-02-16
D: 2021-06-26
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Ebert, Joan
Michael DeSoto
B: 1961-12-15
D: 2021-06-07
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DeSoto, Michael
Lucille Foisey
B: 1930-02-04
D: 2021-06-02
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Foisey, Lucille
Mary Ann Darling
B: 1935-05-09
D: 2021-05-06
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Darling, Mary Ann
Carolyn McCallie
B: 1935-12-08
D: 2021-03-09
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McCallie, Carolyn
Nicole Collins
B: 1999-09-09
D: 2021-03-07
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Collins, Nicole
Ann Ethridge
B: 1941-06-28
D: 2021-02-28
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Ethridge, Ann
Gloria King
B: 1944-08-22
D: 2021-02-19
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King, Gloria
Matilde Hernandez
B: 1917-08-05
D: 2021-02-07
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Hernandez, Matilde
Albert Perry
B: 1931-04-15
D: 2021-01-26
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Perry, Albert
Mary Zamora
B: 1945-05-30
D: 2021-01-20
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Zamora, Mary
Mario Reyes
B: 1940-08-15
D: 2021-01-17
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Reyes, Mario
Antonette Graham
B: 1937-06-11
D: 2021-01-17
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Graham, Antonette
Glenda Garner
B: 1945-02-27
D: 2021-01-13
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Garner, Glenda
Helen Janis
B: 1925-05-06
D: 2021-01-09
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Janis, Helen
Ricky Taylor
B: 1960-01-18
D: 2021-01-05
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Taylor, Ricky
Marjorie Abdallah
B: 1932-03-11
D: 2020-12-30
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Abdallah, Marjorie
Georgetta Gordon
B: 1949-10-13
D: 2020-12-29
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Gordon, Georgetta

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Use the form above to find your loved one. You can search using the name of your loved one, or any family name for current or past services entrusted to our firm.

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3435 North 1st Avenue
TUCSON, AZ 85719
Phone: 520-888-1111
Fax: 520-888-0092

Frequently-Asked-Questions

We are happy to answer any and all questions about funerals, burial, cremation, and funeral preparations which come our way – and we hear some over and over again. Those are the ones we’ve included in this section of the website.

However, if you’re question isn’t listed, don’t hesitate to email us. If yours is an urgent need, please call.

1. What is a funeral?
 
2. How much does a funeral cost?
 
3. How do I make funeral arrangements?
 
4. What is a pre-arranged funeral?
 
5. How do I make funeral arrangements?
 
6. What type of funeral service should I have?
 
7. Can I personalize my funeral service?
 
8. Why should we have a public viewing?
 
9. What should I do if a death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
 
10. What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?
 
11. What happens if I have a problem with how a funeral was handled?
 
12. Why do we need an obituary notice?
 
13. What is included in an obituary?
 
14. What is embalming?
 
15. Is embalming necessary?
 
16. What is involved in cremation?
 
17. Do I need a casket if I choose cremation?
 
18. Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?
 
19. What can be done with the cremated remains?
 
20. What is a Funeral Home?
 
21. What purpose does a funeral serve?
 
22. What do Funeral Directors do?
 
23. Why have a public viewing?
 
24. Is embalming required, according to law?
 
25. A relative or friend has died, what should I do?
 
26. What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
 
27. Will someone come right away?
 
28. If a loved one dies out of state, can the local funeral home still help?
 
29. I've decided on cremation, can I still have a funeral or a viewing?
 
30. What should I do if a death occurs while I am away traveling?
 

Question #1What is a funeral?
Answer:A funeral is a time when friends and family gather to celebrate a life and mourn the loss of a loved one. They occur in cultures and societies around the world, and have deep personal and social significance. We know a funeral is the starting point of the recovery process and the first step toward healing.

Question #2How much does a funeral cost?
Answer:The cost of a funeral depends entirely on your wishes for the funeral. Funeral costs are made up of professional services, charges for transporting the body and presentation of the body, casket costs, vehicle charges, and fees for the doctor, minister, or cremation. Personalizing a funeral is also a factor in the cost. While we have many options to help you memorialize your loved one in a meaningful way, those options all have costs attached.

Question #3How do I make funeral arrangements?
Answer:You can call a funeral director to make an appointment or plan it online. We offer this service free of charge, and without obligation.

Question #4What is a pre-arranged funeral?
Answer:A pre-arranged funeral is a funeral arrangement made prior to death. You can pre-arrange your own funeral or you can pre-arrange a funeral for a loved one. Pre-arrangement is a way for you to make sure your life is celebrated in a way that is meaningful to you. It also relieves your loved ones of the burden of arranging a funeral for you.

Question #5How do I make funeral arrangements?
Answer:You can call a funeral director to make an appointment or plan it online. We offer this service free of charge.

Question #6What type of funeral service should I have?
Answer:The answer to that question is very personal – how would you like it to be? A funeral service can be open to the public or accessible by invitation only. You can choose a large service or a small one. And, if you’re deeply religious, you can follow the liturgy of your faith.

Perhaps you want something completely out-of-the-ordinary, and that’s possible too. Our funeral directors are trained to provide you with support and guidance to help you plan a funeral that truly reflects your needs and desires.

Question #7Can I personalize my funeral service?
Answer:In a word, yes. We believe that each funeral should reflect the life of the deceased – and no two people are the same. We invite – no, we encourage –you to let us know exactly how you want you or your loved one to be remembered, and we will do our best to create a ceremony that will truly celebrate the life lived.

Question #8Why should we have a public viewing?
Answer:Not every tradition encourages a public viewing, but we believe that they serve a purpose. In making a viewing part of your funeral service, you provide a certain amount of closure to all in attendance. This isn’t just our opinion; studies show that viewing the body helps everyone recognize the reality of death which is an important stepping stone in the grieving process.

Question #9What should I do if a death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Answer:It’s simple: call us. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need immediate assistance, one of our funeral directors will be there.

Question #10What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?
Answer:It’s comforting to know that our funeral directors can help you no matter where a death has occurred.  We’ll take care of everything from bringing your loved one back home; to helping you arrange the service. All you need to do is call us. We’ll take care of the rest.

Question #11What happens if I have a problem with how a funeral was handled?
Answer:If we handled the arrangements, then call us. We’ll do everything we can to resolve the issue.

We take pride in caring for the families who trust us during this difficult time. But, we’re well aware that sometimes things can go wrong, and if they do, you need to tell us.

If you’re not satisfied with how we attempt to resolve the issue, then you can reach out to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and/or our state licensing board.

Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC  20580

www.ftc.gov

1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).

Question #12Why do we need an obituary notice?
Answer:An obituary notice is helpful for friends and family of the deceased. It informs them that a death has occurred and gives them information about the service.  Obituaries can be placed in newspapers and online.

Question #13What is included in an obituary?
Answer:A basic obituary includes the deceased’s full name, age, date of birth, city and state they were living in when they passed away. It should also include the name of the deceased’s significant other, and the date, time and place of the viewing, burial, wake and memorial service. If you don't have this information yet, you can always write something such as, "Funeral arrangements are being made by the funeral home and will be announced at a later date."

You may wish to add additional details, such as the names of any children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, parents, other close relatives or special friends. You may wish to write about the deceased’s life, accomplishments and legacy. You may suggest preferred charities for memorial contributions and let people know if you would rather not receive flowers.

Question #14What is embalming?
Answer:Embalming is the temporary disinfection, preservation, and restoration of the body. During the embalming process, the body is washed and dressed and cosmetics are applied.

Question #15Is embalming necessary?
Answer:If the body has to be transported to a country that requires embalming, then yes, it is necessary. Otherwise the decision is up to you. Some religious traditions forbid embalming. If your religion allows it, we recommend embalming if there is a long wait before burial or cremation.

Question #16What is involved in cremation?
Answer:The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber where the temperature reaches 1,400-1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately 2.5 hours, all organic material is consumed by heat and evaporation, and the bone fragments are left behind. These are known as the cremated remains, which are then carefully removed from the chamber and processed into fine particles to be placed in a container or urn for the family.

Question #17Do I need a casket if I choose cremation?
Answer:No, you do not need to purchase a traditional casket. But, for sanitary reasons, crematories usually require a combustible, leak-proof, covered container. Commonly, a relatively-inexpensive cardboard cremation container is all you need to purchase. However there are other, more elegant options available as well. Visit our online cremation container showroom to explore your options.

Question #18Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?
Answer:By all means, yes. We encourage families to have a gathering – whether it’s a simple visitation, or a more elaborate funeral or memorial service – to support the bereaved and begin to mend the social fabric, torn by the loss of a member of the community.

Question #19What can be done with the cremated remains?
Answer:The cremated remains can be interred in a cemetery plot or retained by a family member -- usually in an urn, scattered on private property or at a place that was important to the deceased. The cremated remains can be scattered at sea, or the skies above a special, well-loved place. You can also incorporate the remains into an artificial reef, to be lowered onto the sea floor. There, your loved one provides sanctuary for sea life for years to come.

There are also elegant ways to memorialize a loved one using small amounts of the cremated remains, including art glass, oil paintings, and man-made diamonds. Or you can take a small amount of the cremated remains to include in a piece of cremation jewelry. Please view our online cremation keepsakes and jewelry selection for inspiration.

Question #20What is a Funeral Home?
Answer:A funeral home is a place where people gather when someone dies.  People share memories and offer support to the family and one another.  At the funeral home, you may see the body in a casket, the casket may be closed, or an urn may be present.  Flowers from family and friends and photos may be set up throughout the room. Some people may be crying; it is okay to show grief.

Question #21What purpose does a funeral serve?
Answer:Death is one of the three major life events (birth, marriage, and death) that are traditionally celebrated throughout the world.  Like birth and marriage, funerals provide the opportunity for friends and family to celebrate the life of the diseased and share experiences.  Funerals, or more specifically funeral services, either conducted in a place of religious worship, at the funeral home, or at any venue, is the ritual that people utilize to honor those who have passed.  Formal funeral services provide an avenue for the living to show respect for the deceased and their families, recognition of finality or closure among survivors, and to help those left behind begin the grief process.

Question #22What do Funeral Directors do?
Answer:During our lives we all will likely face the task of making funeral arrangements for loved ones or ourselves.  Funeral planning, especially directly following a loss, can be difficult task as we are emotionally stressed.  Funeral Directors are professional caregivers and administrators that offer help and guidance.  They complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the deceased. Funeral directors are listeners, advisors and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death.

Question #23Why have a public viewing?
Answer:Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary.

Question #24Is embalming required, according to law?
Answer:In Arizona, embalming is only required when the remains are not refrigerated, cremated, or buried within 24 hours.  Embalming is required if the deceased died of certain rare communicable diseases and transportation within or outside the State is planned.  Laws vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your local funeral provider for requirements outside of Arizona.

Question #25A relative or friend has died, what should I do?  
Answer:There are many things you can do. Offer sympathies and be supportive. Make arrangements to attend planned services.  Send a card, flowers, or a memorial donation.

Question #26What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?
Answer:Most funeral directors, including Abbey Funeral Chapel, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call Abbey Funeral Chapel at 520-888-1111 to arrange for transfer of the deceased to the funeral home.

Question #27Will someone come right away?
Answer:If you request immediate assistance, yes. If the family wishes to spend time with the deceased to say good bye, it's acceptable. Abbey will come when your time is right.

Question #28If a loved one dies out of state, can the local funeral home still help?
Answer:Yes, they can assist you with out-of-state arrangements, either to transfer the remains to another state or from another state.

Question #29I've decided on cremation, can I still have a funeral or a viewing?
Answer:Yes, quite often some sort of viewing may precede the actual cremation. Abbey Funeral Chapel can assist you with the necessary information for viewing.  Funerals or memorial services are generally conducted after cremation.

Question #30What should I do if a death occurs while I am away traveling?
Answer:Contact us immediately, and we can coordinate with a funeral home in the area where the death has occurred.  We will make all the arrangements for transporting the deceased to a funeral home in the area, for embalming and preparation for the deceased to return home. You only need contact us with some basic information and call us when you return home to set a time for an arrangement conference.