Austin-Peel & Son

read moreTraditionally, a burial service involves a visitation and is followed by a funeral service. While the casket is typically present at both these events, it is your decision whether to have the casket open. You then have a number of options for interment. Decisions also need to be made on whether the body needs to be embalmed, what kind of casket to use, what cemetery to use and what to put on the gravestone. Monumental cemetery: A monumental cemetery is the traditional style of cemetery where headstones or other monuments made of marble or granite rise vertically above the ground.

read moreCremation is an increasingly popular option for many people, serving as an alternative to burial. Reasons for preferring cremation vary. Some religions request it, while other people consider it more environmentally conscious. Some may simply like the idea of cremation more. During cremation, the remains are placed in a special furnace and reduced to resemble coarse sand. Cremation is not an alternative to a funeral, but rather an alternative to burials or other forms of disposition. Cremated remains can be scattered, buried, or they may be kept with the family in a decorative urn.

read moreGiving a meaningful eulogy, or writing an obituary, can be a nerve-wracking situation for even the most accomplished public speaker. We have gathered some resources to help you along the way. Giving a meaningful, moving eulogy can be a nerve-wracking situation for even the most accomplished public speaker, but it doesn't have to be. How can you summarize somebody's life in a few short minutes, while being both somber and funny at the same time? Writing and delivering a eulogy is a therapeutic tool to help deal with your grief, and being chosen to give a eulogy is an honor and should be treated that way.

read moreOur mothers shape our lives. The mold us and guide us. There truly is no love greater than that of a mother. For those reasons and many more, we have created a scholarship fund in honor of our own mothers, Mrs. Lois Villaseor and Mrs. Margot Peel.

read moreWhether a death is sudden or expected, the loss of a loved one is indescribable. When you are in a heightened emotional state, even the most basic decisions can seem staggering. This section seeks to guide you through the immediate hours following a passing. If the person was not under hospice care, the police will have to be notified immediately. The police will be dispatched to the home and will place the call to the coroner or medical examiner. From there, the coroner or medical examiner will remove the body and determine whether further action is necessary.

read morePre-planning for funeral services is a serious matter. It protects you and your loved ones. For this reason, the State of Texas has established a website to provide additional education and resources for those in the process of considering pre-planning funeral goods and services. Please visit www.prepaidfunerals.texas.gov. We plan for most everything throughout our lives. The best plans and the best decisions are made when we have educated ourselves about each option before us, weighing the pros and cons of each.

read moreTaking the time to arrange your funeral is one less thing your loved ones will need to worry about once you've passed. One of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family is the pre-arrangement and pre-payment of your funeral.

read moreAfter the passing of a loved one, it is a good idea to let a lawyer figure things out. Before getting in touch with a lawyer there are several important documents that you need to gather. Looking for more information on Veterans? The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has the answers you are looking for. From Headstones Markers & Medallions to Burial Allowance & even forms, you can find this resourceful information on their website. It is common to have questions about the funeral process. This section contains some commonly asked questions, to help make this process easier for you.