FAQ's

When a loved one dies at home or in hospice care, the first step is to contact the appropriate medical professional so the death can be officially pronounced. Once that is done, you can reach out to a funeral home to arrange the transfer and begin receiving guidance. A director will walk you through the next steps and help ensure everything is handled with dignity and care.

It’s helpful to begin making funeral or cremation arrangements soon after a passing so that necessary documents and decisions can be addressed in a timely manner. When your family is ready, O’Donnell Funeral Home can assist you right away and guide you through each step with compassion and clarity.

The funeral-planning process usually begins with meeting a funeral director who gathers essential information, discusses service options, and listens to how you hope to honor your loved one. From there, you’ll make choices about burial or cremation, visitation, ceremonies, personalization, and scheduling. O’Donnell coordinates all logistics to ensure the service is meaningful, seamless, and in keeping with your wishes.

When planning a funeral or cremation, helpful items include your loved one’s full legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, and any pre-arrangement or veteran service documents. A recent photograph and preferred clothing can also be useful. If you don’t have everything available, the staff at O’Donnell Funeral Home will assist in obtaining what’s needed.

Families arranging a funeral or celebration of life can choose from traditional services, visitations, wakes, memorial ceremonies, graveside services, green burial, or cremation with or without an event. Many personal touches (such as

readings, music, photos, or shared stories) can be included to reflect the life being honored. Your funeral director will help you explore every option.

Yes, final arrangements can be pre-planned, and many people choose this route to spare their families from making difficult decisions during a time of grief. Pre-planning allows you to record your wishes, consider costs thoughtfully, and ensure everything is carried out according to your preferences. It offers peace of mind and a sense of reassurance for both you and your loved ones.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the Massachusetts median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial is around $9,000, while a funeral with cremation averages about $7,000. Prices vary by service

type and personalization, and O’Donnell Funeral Home provides clear, itemized pricing to help families make informed decisions.

O’Donnell Funeral Home stands apart through a century-long legacy of serving Salem, Danvers, and North Shore families with dignity, respect, and personalized care. As a fourth-generation family business, they combine historic roots with modern, thoughtfully updated facilities and a commitment to honoring each life with sincerity and professionalism. Their attentive guidance, veteran expertise, and emphasis on meaningful, individualized services create an experience families can trust.