Quality Services for Your Family: Funeral and Cremation in Affton, MO

At John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Homes, we take great pride in caring for your family and will work tirelessly to provide you with a beautiful, lasting tribute to your loved one. For over 100 years, we have been a locally owned and operated funeral home offering affordable funeral and cremation services in Affton, MO, and the surrounding area. Our mission is to bring peace and comfort to the sorrow, to help celebrate a life lived, and to affirm the dignity of all people. We will guide you through the aspects of the funeral service with compassion, dignity, and respect. While we want to pay tribute to your loved one, we also want to support you during this terrible time. We have a variety of resources available to assist you not only now, but also in the weeks and months ahead. Give us a call at  314-352-2600  for more information.

Coordinating funeral and cremation care in Affton, MO, takes time and effort. But it’s worth the process because of the way you can honor your loved ones after they are gone. In addition, the planning phases make a difference in creating an event that will always be remembered by those in attendance: family and friends.

At John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Homes, we are available to assist with everything you need for quality funeral services. Customer care is always our priority, especially because we understand your challenges in this life experience. Rest assured knowing that we are always here to offer this support and help you need every step of the way.

Decisions to Address: Funeral and Cremation in Affton, MO

One thing that families find about funeral planning is that there is a long list of decisions that need to be addressed to ensure a quality outcome. You must first learn about the options, then pick the details that align with your family traditions. Everyone has unique preferences, which is why our team takes the time to learn about your desires before finalizing the funeral planning process.

Most of these important decisions can be broken down into different categories within the planning process:

• Event Planning: You are bringing family and friends together for a service, and many of these decisions are related to event planning. It’s important to consider the size of the group when choosing a venue. Additionally, you’ll need to set a specific time and date when everyone will meet together in honor of your loved one.
• Burial or Ashes: Another detail to consider is where and how you would like to lay the person to rest. Is there a specific location, such as a cemetery, that your family wants to visit in the future? You can bury a loved one in a casket. Or, consider cremation if you prefer to place the ashes elsewhere.
• Cremation Services: There are many reasons why you might choose cremation. Not only is this service cheaper compared to traditional burials, but it also provides more flexibility for families who don’t want a burial in the cemetery. Cremation can be done standalone, or you might choose to pair it with a funeral or memorial service.
• Administrative Details: A lot is happening behind the scenes to notify family and friends about the passing of a loved one. Our team works hard to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. We can assist with everything from transportation to cemetery coordination, requesting the death certificates, and more.
• Memorializing: Finally, consider the ways you want to record the person’s legacy for generations to come. For example, designing a headstone is more than a way to mark the grave. This stone shares a message about the person to honor their memories. Or, you might choose to create personalized jewelry to hold cremated ashes. Or keep the ashes in a memorial urn.



Choosing a reputable team like John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Homes gives you the benefit of walking through these decisions one at a time. We have a seamless process in place to help you learn about the possibilities, then finalize the services that will be an ideal fit for your family.

Everything You Need for Funeral Services

At John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Homes, we have everything you need in one convenient location. Our full-service mindset gives you the benefit of working with one provider. We want to honor your family preferences and create an experience that aligns with everything you desire for this event.

It doesn’t matter if you want a traditional funeral, a Veterans burial, or are looking for something simple like direct cremation. We offer the same level of respect and care for everyone who walks through the door.

When you work with us for funerals and cremation in Affton, MO, you get the benefit of a customized approach for your funeral plans. We have different packages available for you to choose from. Then, there are countless ways that you can personalize these services. The goal is to create an experience that is as unique as the person you are honoring.

Timing Considerations for Funeral Planning

What is the ideal timeline to get started with funeral planning? At John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Homes, we are prepared to assist with last-minute planning when the funeral services are happening quickly. Additionally, we’re happy to answer your questions in advance if you know that the event will be planned in the coming weeks or months.

You deserve quality support when you are navigating the funeral and cremation industry in Affton, MO. As you learn more about these services, we invite you to contact us any time to talk to a funeral director. You are welcome to call us at 314-894-8444 any time of the day, any day of the week, for immediate assistance.

John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Homes is here to help with anything that you need for upcoming funeral services.

Funeral & Cremation Services FAQ

Can I be cremated without a funeral service in Missouri?

According to Missouri law, a person can be cremated without a funeral service, but there are certain requirements that must be met. First, the body must be embalmed or refrigerated. Second, the cremation must take place within 48 hours of death. Third, the cremation must be performed by a licensed funeral director. Finally, the cremated remains must be disposed of in a dignified manner, such as being buried in a cemetery or scattered at sea. While it is possible to meet all these requirements without having a funeral service, many people choose to hold a service before or after the cremation. This allows friends and family to gather to share memories and say goodbye. Whether or not to have a funeral service is a personal decision, and there is no right or wrong answer. For details, contact a funeral director who cares.

What is a closed cremation?

A closed cremation is when the coffin is not opened prior to cremation. The coffin is placed into the cremator and the cremation process takes place. Once the cremation is completed, the cremated remains (ashes) are placed in an urn or scatter tube and given to the family. A closed cremation can be less expensive than a traditional funeral service with a viewing, as there is no need for embalming, viewing rooms, or a hearse. It can also be less emotionally challenging for some families as they do not have to say goodbye to their loved ones in an open casket. Read more about different types of funeral and cremation services.

What happens to a person's Social Security when they pass away?

Social Security is a program that provides financial assistance to qualified Americans who are retired or disabled. When a person dies, their Social Security benefits usually stop. There are, however, some exceptions. If the person was receiving benefits as a spouse or child, those benefits may continue. In addition, if the deceased were receiving disability benefits, their children may be eligible to receive those benefits until they reach the age of 18. Finally, if a person dies before reaching retirement age, their surviving spouse may be eligible to receive survivor benefits. While Social Security death benefits are not typically large, they can provide some financial assistance to those who have lost a loved one. Learn more about how social security help with funeral expenses.