Most Frequently Asked Questions

A funeral is a ceremony to pay tribute to and honor the life of a loved one. It is a time for family and friends to gather to provide solace and comfort to each other while reflecting on the life of a person who was significant in their lives. Funeral ceremonies can vary widely based on personal preferences, cultural backgrounds, religious affiliations and/or spiritual practices.

Funeral counselors are listeners, advisors and supporters, caregivers, and administrators. They assist you with fulfilling your desired service options. 

California law does not prohibit consumers from preparing a body for disposition themselves; however, state procedures must be followed, and most people find it very trying to be solely responsible for arranging the details and legal matters surrounding a death.

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You should feel free to call us at any time.

If you request immediate assistance, yes. If your family wishes to spend more time with the deceased to say goodbye, that is also acceptable. We will come when the time is right for your family.

Yes, we can assist you with making arrangements to transfer the remains within the state, or to another state or country. We also can arrange to receive the remains from another location.

We will do our best to be flexible, so expand your thinking, be creative and incorporate your own original ideas so that your loved one's essence is evident in their service.

Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Viewing allows the family to spend time with the deceased, gather with friends and family, and perform cultural practices prior to the service.

No, cremation is an alternative to earth burial or entombment of the body. Tribute services are usually held to honor the decedent’s life.

Yes, quite often a service or viewing is held before the actual cremation.

No, a casket is not required for cremation by California law, but a combustible cremation container that meets the crematory’s standard is required. If you choose to have a viewing or funeral service before the cremation, you may supply your own cremation unit or select one of Fouche’s. Fouche’s has a selection of cremation caskets or a rental casket that includes an alternative container for the final disposition.

Before burial or cremation occurs, the death certificate must be completed and signed by the attending physician or medical examiner. The registrar for the county in which the death occurred then issues a permit for burial or cremation. Additionally, those who have the right, duty, and responsibility to make disposition decisions must arrange for burial or cremation.

Several options are available. The urn containing the cremated remains can be placed in a columbarium or mausoleum, or it can be buried in the ground. Cremated remains can also be kept at home or scattered, although scattering ordinances must be observed. They can also be sent, to be received by individuals or facilities, within the state, out of the state or out of the country.

Embalming sanitizes the body and retards the decomposition process but does not prevent the decomposition of a body. Embalming does make it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them. 

California law does not require embalming; however, there are situations that may require embalming, such as when death was caused by a reportable contagious disease or in the event of transportation from one state to another, or out of the country, by a common carrier.

Costs vary, depending on the selections you make. Expenses associated with a funeral include services and merchandise. At Fouché's Hudson Funeral Home, we offer a range of services and merchandise options to accommodate different tastes and budgets. Please visit our website for a complete list of our services, products and prices. We will be happy to answer your questions and help you decide which services and products would best fit your needs.

In Alameda County, the processing time for certified death certificates is normally 5-7 working days after the death certificate is filed with the county. In other counties, it may take a little longer.

The short answer is no they do not.     The Social Security Administration will give a one-time payment to a surviving spouse or child, called a special lump-sum death payment. You must meet certain requirements. To find out if you are eligible for this benefit, contact the Social Security Administration at 800.772.1213.

For each veteran, discharged other than dishonorably, burial benefits may include: a grave site at a National Cemetery, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a headstone or marker, a U.S. Flag and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Regarding other benefits, each veteran's circumstances are different. For specific eligibility information, contact the Veteran’s Administration Benefits Office at 800.827.1000.

Yes. Today, pre-arrangement and prepayment of funerals are becoming more common. Many people find that it gives them peace of mind to know that their wishes will be respected, and the burden lessened on their family at the time of their death. Others find that they need to protect their assets from the state and assure that their funeral expenses will be taken care of.

There are several ways to setup the pre-arrangement and pre-payment of a funeral. If you would like more information, please visit our office, and we will explain the options that are available to you. See Fouché’s Service Options Pre-Need / Advance Planning.

Your pre-need arrangements can easily be transferred. Please note that the “guaranteed” items contained within the pre-need agreement may not be honored by the funeral home of transfer.