Farber & Otteman Funeral Homes

Family Resource Center

The Farber & Otteman Family Resource Center was created to make the arrangement process simple and convenient. These decisions can seem overwhelming during a time of grief. That's why our Center creates a warm and comforting environment while giving families the information they need to make an informed purchasing decision.

The Center offers an assortment of products to help families and friends create a meaningful tribute to their loved one. Each display is tastefully designed so families are able to view and understand the full range of products available, including a carefully crafted assortment of closed quarter sections of caskets that allow families to easily see the progression of value.

Personalization Options

A funeral is a celebration of life - a commemoration of a unique person. Through our personalization options, you are able to create a service as unique as the life we are remembering.

We have many custom goods and services to help enhance the memorial including candles, memorial folders and thank you notes.

We are always available to help and offer suggestions on utilizing personalization options in order to create the most meaningful memorial for your loved one.

Service Options

Traditional Service

Many families prefer to choose a traditional worship-oriented funeral ceremony. A traditional ceremony typically includes:

Viewing at the place of worship or funeral home, either prior to the ceremony or the evening before
The funeral ceremony itself, conducted at the funeral home or place of worship
Procession to the cemetery for a final committal service

Being traditional does not limit your choices. Each funeral at Farber & Otteman is tailored to your preferences. Some of the areas that can reflect your personal choices are:

The flowers for the ceremony
Music - can be contemporary, jazz, traditional hymns, etc.
Merchandise - the casket selection , clothing (either purchased from us or brought in by family members)
Prayer cards or memorial folders
A collection of photographs, mementos or remembrances to be displayed

Steel Caskets

(more options available)

Wood Caskets

(more options available)

Memorial Service

A memorial service is when the deceased is not present. It may take place at the funeral home, the family's home, a church, or even outdoors. This is a time to remember your loved one through fellowship with friends and family.

The memorial service can also be an addition to a traditional funeral service. For example, having a traditional funeral service here and then a memorial service back in the deceased's hometown. A memorial service can also be done after a burial or cremation if the family chooses.

Committal Service

The committal service is a brief service at the gravesite after a traditional funeral service but prior to the burial. This is where family and friends say their goodbyes at the final resting place by placing flowers, or sometimes sand, on the casket.

If the committal service is the only service being held then it becomes what we call a graveside service and is accompanied by a visitation the night before . The graveside service is a more lengthy service consisting of scripture reading, eulogy, poetry, and music.

Cremation

Just because a family has chosen cremation does not mean that a funeral ceremony to honor the person who has died cannot take place. There are several options such as a visitation or gathering of family and friends at the funeral home or another location. A funeral or memorial service can take place either before or after cremation. This service can, again, take place either at the funeral home, place of worship, or any other location you may choose.

Most families choosing cremation decide on burial of the cremated remains. This is an important final moment, whether it is a private graveside service or a larger group of family and friends.

Vaults

(more options available)

What To Do In the Event of a Death

Death at Home. When someone dies at home and was not a hospice patient you must notify the local fire department and police department. The fire department and police departments have to be called in order to make out a report for the medical examiner or coroner.

Death of a Person in Hospice. When a person dies at home and is a hospice patient, the family may call us and the hospice nurse, or wait for the hospice nurse to arrive and then call us. The hospice nurse needs to pronounce the person. The police and fire departments do not need to be notified.

Death in a Hospital. When someone dies in the Emergency Room or as a patient in the hospital, it is wise to call us. Some healthcare facilities will call on behalf of the family but many times it is the responsibility of the family to notify us.
Death in a Nursing Home. Call us and we will make arrangements with the nursing home to transport your loved one to the funeral home. If you are not at the nursing home at the time of death, leave instructions with the nursing home to call us in the event of death.
Death Out-Of-State. When a person dies outside of Iowa, call us first and we will make arrangements to have your loved one transported back to Iowa for the funeral services. Only one call to us is needed. We will handle all the details for transportation.

You can reach us day or night at 712-662-7135.