Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home

A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, honoring, and remembering the life of a person who has passed away. While specific customs, traditions, and practices differ across different cultures and religions, all funerals serve the key purpose of giving the bereaved a special time and place to say goodbye and find comfort and healing in one another.

A viewing - also known as "visitation," a "wake," or "calling hours" - can involve an open or closed casket, and is seen as a vital part of the grieving process. Having their loved one present often helps family and friends to accept the reality of their loss, especially for those who may not have seen him or her in a while. The opportunity to come to terms with the death and say a final farewell is an important step on the road to closure and healing.

Embalming is a process used to sanitize and temporarily preserve the body of a person who has passed away. It can also enhance the appearance of a body that has suffered damage from an accident or illness. By preserving the body through embalming, we can give you and your family time to make personalized and meaningful arrangements, including a viewing if desired.

No. Except in certain special cases, embalming is not required by law. However, many states recommend embalming for public health reasons and some funeral homes do not permit public viewing without embalming. If you opt to not use embalming, oftentimes we can offer families the opportunity for a private viewing prior to burial with minimal preparation excluding embalming.

Keep in mind that your personal presence at a visitation and or funeral/memorial services is an invaluable benefit to the survivors knowing that you adjusted your schedule and took time out of your day to come be with them. It is a profound act of respect and personal concern for the deceased and their survivors. Although most do speak, you actually don't need to say a word, your presence is what is so meaningful, and it is free, except for your time. If you do decide to speak, offer words of kindness and compassion such as "I'm sorry for your loss" or "I am keeping you in your thought and prayers". Perhaps an appropriate, fond memory might be appropriate as well. Again your presence alone, is truly saying more than you can imagine.

The grieving process doesn't end with the funeral, and it will take time for the bereaved to heal. The family will need your support for months to come, so make sure to check in on a regular basis. Drop a note, make a phone call, and continue to invite them when you make social plans; they'll let you know if and when they are ready to participate. Reach out to the family on special occasions, like birthdays or anniversaries, especially during the first year following their loss.

Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home lists direct cremation at $3,785, $1,510 above the Indiana median of $2,275 across 489 Indiana homes.

Yes. Cremation is on Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home's service list.

Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home lists these hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Immediate Assistance.

Its listed hours include 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Immediate Assistance.

Samaritan Funeral Home (direct cremation $895), Russell Funeral Home (direct cremation $1,900) and Samaritan Affordable Funeral and Cremation Services (direct cremation $1,295).