Monthly Archives: June 2020

Cremations services in Penn Township, PA

A History of Cremation Services

Cremations services in Penn Township, PA are not new at all. In fact, historians believe that humans started burning their dead as early as 3000 B.C. Archeologists have discovered pottery shards and urns that service as evidence that cremation started spreading across northern Europe, Spain, Portugal and the British Isles during the Bronze Age, from 2500 to 1000 B.C.

Cremation became more and more popular until Homer’s time, around 800 B.C, when it became the most common disposition method. This rise in cremation is assumed to be because of the growing number of dead from both war and disease. By 395 A.D, when the Roman Empire was at its peak, cremation was widely practiced, and people stored the ashes in elaborate urns like we do today. However, the early Christians still practiced traditional Jewish body disposition, and therefore disapproved of cremation. When Constantine made Christianity the official Roman religion in 400 A.D, the practice almost disappeared in favor of the traditional Jewish burial.

Cremation as we know it only began in 1873 when an Italian professor displayed his new cremation chamber model at the Vienna Exposition. His new invention jump-started the cremation revolution on both sides of the Atlantic. The first modern cremation chamber in the United States was built in Washington, Pennsylvania in 1876 by Dr. Julius LeMoyne, with the second not far behind in Lancaster, PA in 1884.

Soon, crematories were being built all across the US, and by the year 1900 there were 20 in operation. The practice took off even more when, in 1913, Dr. Hugo Erichsen started the Cremation Association of America.

Dr. Erichsen began the foundation as way to spread to word about this modern way of safely and hygienically disposing of bodies. The foundation was originally made up of doctors with concerns about the spread of diseases from whole-body burials to living humans.

This belief and the foundation continued to foster cremation popularity until the 1920s when it was proven that whole body burials, when done properly were just as safe for the public’s health. After that discovery, the Cremation Association of America switched gears and began promoting cremation not as a health choice but as a memorialization choice. The foundation changed its name to Cremation Association of North America (CANA), in 1975, and is still around today.

North Versailles, PA cremation services

Cremation has been becoming more and more popular since the 1980s in America and around the world. This rise is due to a number of factors such as cost, environmental concerns, creativity, religion and more. While traditional burial is still the most commonly seen disposition method, studies show that might not always be the case. According to CANA, there were over 2,100 crematories in use in the US in 2009 performing over 9,000 cremations a year, and the number is still going up.

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. offers Penn Township, PA cremation services that follow these traditions and are designed to help in your time of loss. Call today to learn more.

Funeral homes in Penn Township, PA

How to Act in a Funeral Home

cremation services in Monroeville, PA

Funeral homes in Penn Township, PA and beyond can be very intimidating. If you haven’t been to many funeral homes before, it can be hard to know exactly what the proper etiquette is, especially when it comes to being respectful of the proceedings and family members.

From the loss itself to the somewhat confusing rules, it’s tough to understand and properly execute all the funeral home traditions and social constructs, which is hard enough.

Read on to learn a bit more about funeral home etiquette so you can be better prepared for your next service and visit:

1. Attire – Funeral homes are serious places, and your attire should be as well. Unless otherwise noted or dictated by culture, keep your clothing conservative and in darker colors.

Attire

Photo: huffingtonpost.com

2. Religion – Funeral homes can be religious places during services, and this may make some people uncomfortable. If the ceremony has religious aspects that do not match your own or make you uncomfortable, simply remain silent and respectfully engaged. Remember, you are there to honor the deceased not make a religious statement.

Religion

3. Seating – The first two rows of seats are oftentimes reserved for the close friends and family, but other than that the seating plans are usually open. Try and remain seated throughout the service, unless dictated by the MC. This same basic rule applies to a graveside service, as the chairs right by the grave are typically reserved for family.

Seating

4. Communication – There might not be many chances for you to speak with the family of the deceased at the funeral home, but if you do have an opportunity be sure to take it. All you need to do is express sympathy for their loss. If you knew the deceased well and feel it’s appropriate, you may say something more personal about the deceased. However, keep it short and simple as the family most likely has lots of other guests to attend to.

Communication

5. Distractions – Turn off your phone. If you don’t want to turn if off completely, at least put it on silent or Do Not Disturb for the duration of the service. If you must take a call, do step outside as looking down at your phone or checking messages inside the funeral home is disrespectful. Along those same lines, people often do not bring children to funeral homes for fear they will be a distraction or disruption. Use your best judgment with your child, but toddlers and babies should generally stay at home with a sitter.

Distractions

Use your best judgment, and always try and follow the family’s lead when it comes to etiquette. When in doubt, lean in towards the conservative side. Do keep in mind that the above are general guidelines and do not necessarily apply to every funeral home experience.

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is a Penn Township, PA funeral home. We have a range of services and would be happy to help you in your time of need. Give us a call today for more information about what we can do for you.

cremation services in North Versailles, PA

Direct Cremation Services

Most people don’t know that there are a few different kinds of cremation services in North Versailles, PA. But there are a few different kinds such as more traditional cremations with services and funerals, and more simple options like direct cremations. But what is direct cremation? And why would it be a good option for you?

Direct cremation is a disposition method in which the deceased’s body is cremated almost immediately following death, without a funeral or memorial beforehand. One of the main reasons why people choose a direct cremation is because its more cost effective than other methods.

The body is cremated right after the death in a direct cremation. This means that the deceased’s family or loved ones can use a crematory service rather than a traditional funeral home, potentially saving money. There is no visitation, wake or viewing with a direct cremation. This allows the family to skip embalming the body, which also saves money. Family, loved ones, or executors can also choose to have the body cremated in a simple container, rather than a traditional and more expensive casket, as there is no need for ornamentation for a viewing or service. Direct cremation also allows family to plan a memorial service at a later date, allowing for scheduling flexibility so more people can attend. Also, a longer timeline means even more time to plan a personalized and unique service.

Direct cremation is becoming so popular that The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule made a list of laws that dictate your direct cremation rights including that you are not required to purchase or use a casket, the crematory or funeral home must furnish a wood box or alternate container for the direct cremation, and the funeral home or crematory must return the remains to you in an urn provided by yourself. If you do not provide and urn, they will return the remains to you in a basic container.

cremation services

Typically, crematory staff takes care of all direct cremation arrangements and actions. This includes transporting the body to the crematory and completing a death certificate form. You can also work with a traditional funeral home for direct cremations. In this case, the funeral home will fill out the death certificate and bring the body to the crematory, which is often onsite at the funeral home. Take care to plan for what you’re doing with the cremated remains after the direct cremation. You can bury them in a crematory plot, columbarium, or pre-determined cemetery.

Direct cremation is a desirable option if you are looking to avoid costs such as preparing the body, casket, extensive transportation, or funeral services. There are many funeral homes that offer North Versailles, PA cremation services, including direct cremations. If you have any more questions about direct cremation or would like to learn more about your other options just reach out to Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. We have years of experience and would be happy to help you in any way that we can. Call or visit us today.

Funeral homes in North Versailles, PA

Burials and Funeral Homes

You need all the necessary information to make decisions about planning a lost loved one’s funeral, and to be emotionally prepared for what’s coming. Funeral homes in North Versailles, PA can be overwhelming, especially since you’re suffering from a loss. One way to make the experience less stressful is by making sure you have all the information.

A big part of almost all funeral services is the burial. There is a lot more to burials than you would think, but this list of burial frequently asked questions should help.

  • Why is Burial Necessary in the First Place? While there are many disposition options besides burial, a burial is a wonderful way to remember the deceased in a constructive way. A big part of the human grief process is memorializing the dead, and a permanent burial place serves as a focal point remembering your lost loved one. A permanent resting place also gives the deceased a dignified ending while still allowing his or her memory to live on.
  • What Are Burial Vaults? And Do I Need One? Burial vaults are the outside container that holds a coffin or casket. Their primary function is to protect the casket and help maintain the grave’s integrity, so the surface doesn’t sink in. Most active cemeteries do require burial vaults to keep the cemetery ground intact and safe.
  • Is Ground Burial the Only Option? There are several options besides traditional ground burial. These include mausoleums, lawn crypts, and cremation internments like urns and columbarium.
  • What Will Happen to My Loved One’s Grave in the Distant Future? Cemeteries are traditionally thought of as permanent, and the land designation is often in perpetuity. You can visit graves that are more than a hundred year old all over the country. It’s nice to think that your loved one’s grave will still be around and treasured by coming generations.
  • Are There Laws About Burial Timelines? The short answer is no, there are no laws in Florida requiring a body to be buried within a specific amount of time. However, there are many steps that need to be taken before a burial can take place, so it’s a good idea to get started as soon as you’re able after a death so your loved one can have a dignified funeral service and burial.
  • Will My Cemetery Close When It Runs Out of Land? Cemeteries do run out of land, but they usually do not close when that happens. They generally remain open for family members to visit graves and can even have guided tours of historic resting places.

cremation

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is a North Versailles, PA funeral home. We offer a range of burial services with years of experience and would love to answer any more questions you may have about burials or funeral homes in general. You can stop by and visit us or give us a call to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.