Monthly Archives: March 2021

cremation services in Penn Township, PA

Cremation Services and Religion

For many, the choice between burial and cremation is a religious one, as some religions accept cremation, while others do not. The religion and cremation debate is not a new one, as some belief systems have been encouraging or discouraging cremation for centuries. There are a lot of cremation services in Penn Township, PA every day. However, this doesn’t mean that people are not stopping to think about religion and belief before they choose cremation.

If you’re wondering what your religion says about cremation or would like to learn more about other belief systems, keep reading for information on what common religions think when it comes to cremation.

  1. Spiritism – Spiritism, or Reincarnation, is a kind of belief system that promotes the idea that all humans carry immortal spirits that will go to another host after death. Cremation is also widely accepted in Spiritism. However, believers do require a certain period of time between the death and the cremation as they believe that the spirit can sometimes remain with the body for a time after death.
  2. Hinduism – The Hindu religion pretty much mandates cremation. Hindus believe that fire is a purifying agent that can help release the deceased’s spirit from its physical body so it can move on to a spiritual dimension. Hinduism also calls for a memorial service after the cremation to keep memories of the deceased alive.
  3. Judaism – The Jewish faith does not allow cremations, as per scripture in the Torah. However, some more modern Jewish families do choose cremation if it coincides with their personal beliefs.
  4. Christianity – Cremation is fully accepted in Christianity. There are even verses in the Bible that seem to encourage the practice. Take, for example, Genesis 3:19, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” However, there are some Christians that cite biblical examples in support of traditional burial, such as Christ being buried, or various Old Testament burials. All in all, when it comes to Christianity and burial, it really depends on what the individual prefers.

Remember, the only important thing is that your lost loved one is treated with respect and remembered fondly by those that loved him or her, be it through traditional burial or a cremation. At the end of the day, no matter what you believe, there are tons of options for you to honor and remember your lost loved one.

cremation services in Penn Township, PA

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you’re looking to learn more about religion and cremation. We offer a wide range of Penn Township, PA cremation services, and have experience working with families and bereaved of many different religions and backgrounds. Please feel free to stop by and visit us or give us a call for more information on what we can do for you in your time of loss and remembrance.

funeral homes in Penn Township, PA

Common Funeral Home Myths

Make sure you understand what you’re purchasing when it comes to funeral homes in Penn Township, PA. After all, you research TVs, computers and phones before buying, so why not do the same with funeral homes?

One easy way to do that is to get clear on some common funeral home myths and misconceptions. The following list of funeral home myths and their truths will help guide you on your process:

  • MYTH: Funeral home products like caskets and cremation urns have to be bought from the funeral home. FACT: There’s actually a law that prohibits that! The Federal Trade Commission’s 1984 Funeral Rule protects consumer’s right to purchase funeral products from any source.
  • MYTH: The law requires embalming. FACT: The law does not require embalming in most situations. There are some circumstances that vary by state in which embalming is required. However, these are rare.
  • MYTH: Funeral directors only want to make money. FACT: Like any other professional in customer services, from doctors to florists, funeral directors do charge for their services but strive to make those services worthwhile. There are some funeral directors who are “bad apples” but they are few and far between.
  • MYTH: Funerals are crazy expensive. FACT: You can spend as little or as much as you like when planning a funeral. Services vary in cost depending on location.
  • MYTH: A high-quality casket and vault will preserve remains forever. FACT: Caskets and vaults that are well made with durable construction and high-tech seals help keep water and dirt out, but they will never stop decomposition entirely.
  • MYTH: There are strict laws governing the disposition of cremated remains. FACT: Laws about cremated remains vary greatly from state to state, but they only deal with burial or scattering. Some states have regulations on where ashes can be scattered, but there are no federal laws. Be sure to double-check your state’s laws before scattering remains.
  • MYTH: Funerals homes are sad, depressing places. FACT: While this may have been true in the past, funeral homes have changed a lot Funerals themselves can be very joyous occasions as loved ones celebrate the deceased’s life. In a typical modern funeral, laughter and music coexist with tears and ritual.
  • MYTH: The law requires burial vaults. FACT: Some cemeteries require burial vaults, but there are no laws that require them. Check with your cemetery to make sure you understand their requirements before the funeral.
  • MYTH: Cremation is the only environmentally friendly alternative to burial. FACT: While cremation can be greener than burial, that’s not always the case. There are also lots of other green alternatives out there, and you can choose to have a green burial where there are no embalming fluids, chemicals or unnatural casket materials.

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here for you if you want a Penn Township, PA funeral home you can trust. Please visit us or give us a call to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss or of preplanning.

Cremation services in North Versailles, PA

Different Kinds of Cremation Services

Cremation services in North Versailles, PA furnish tons of choices when it comes to planning and personalizing. This flexibility is great to not only have a unique and meaningful service for the deceased, but also because it gives the bereaved an easier time planning and executing the memorial or cremation itself.

Cremations also offer choices in the type of cremation. There are three main types of cremation services: funeral, memorial, and direct. Each one offers variations on the basic cremation idea, with differences in price, planning, and timeline.

  • Cremation with Funeral – These cremation services have a regular funeral followed by a cremation instead of a burial. As with a traditional funeral, cremation services with a funeral usually have a visitation or wake within two or three days of death. These cremations come with more costs than other types, mainly embalming and caskets. Embalming is the process in which the body is preserved for the viewing and does cost money. The viewing and funeral also require a casket, not just a plain cremation box. Funerals followed by a cremation can be hosted by a religious leader, funeral celebrant or family member, and generally take place in a funeral home or church. The typical service includes readings, music, poems, sermons, eulogies and prayers.
  • Memorial Cremations – Memorial cremations are very similar to cremations with funerals save for one big difference: the body is not present at the service. This type of cremation service can be held at a later date after the death, sometimes weeks or months later. This is possible because the body is cremated directly after the death. The body can be present in a way at a memorial in a cremation urn, or the family can choose to display photos of the deceased. Since there is no body, the service can be held almost anywhere like a park, church, home, funeral home, or even on a beach. Usually, the remains are returned to the family right before the memorial so they can inter, scatter, or display them following the ceremony.
  • Direct Cremation Services – Direct cremation services are the most cost effective and efficient cremation services. As the name denotes, the body is cremated directly after death and the remains are united with the family without a ceremony or service. Typically, all the direct cremation costs are included in one flat fee, from transportation to the cremation itself. This method is cheap but doesn’t offer any sort of celebration or honor for the deceased’s life.

Cremation services in North Versailles, PA

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you want to learn more about the different kinds of cremations. We offer a wide range of North Versailles, PA cremation services and our years of industry experience give us the expertise needed to help you choose what’s best for you and your loved ones in your time of loss. Please pay us a visit or give us a call to learn more about what we can do for you.

funeral home in North Versailles, PA

Personalization at Funeral Homes

What do a traditional funeral at a funeral home in North Versailles, PA and a memorial service in a park have in common? Personalization.

Personalized funerals are the way of the future, as they allow the bereaved to both grieve their loss and celebrate the unique life of their lost loved one. Want to learn more? Keep reading to learn interesting facts about personalized funerals in funeral homes and beyond:

  • Most families don’t want a traditional funeral – According to a recent study, 71% of families do not want a traditional funeral as they see them as gloomy or dark. Most families want something unique that reflects the special qualities of their lost loved one.
  • Religion is on its way out – According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the percentage of people that think religion is an important part of a funeral has gone down by more than 10%. More people are placing personalization over religion.
  • Funerals are a celebration of life – Funerals are no longer sad and gloomy events. People want to celebrate their lost loved ones in special ways, remembering them for their unique qualities and happy memories.
  • Cemeteries are overcrowded – About 2.7 million Americans die every year. That’s the entire population of Chicago. With so many deaths, it’s no wonder cemeteries are too crowded. That’s why many people are opting for non-traditional ways of putting their lost loved ones to rest.
  • People want a party – In another recent study, 500 participants were asked to name something they really want at a funeral. The top 5 answers were music, family, people, beer and flowers. When put all together, these 5 things equal a celebration.
  • Digital obituaries – Since most obituaries are now placed on memorial websites rather than printed in traditional newspapers, they are becoming more and more important, thorough, and personalized.
  • Traditional burials are out – Traditional burials are now thought of as wasteful and bad for the environment. For example, in one year in America, burial puts enough embalming fluid into the ground to fill an Olympic swimming pool.
  • Webcasting – The internet is also allowing families to be a part of funeral services even if they can’t be there in person. Funeral webcasting is becoming very popular all across the US and is only getting cheaper which makes it more accessible for everyone.
  • Cremation is in – The most recent numbers project that by 2035 75% of Americans will choose cremation over burial because of personalization, price and the environment.
  • Memorial videos – Memorial videos put modern technology to good use. They allow families to make personalized tributes for the deceased for people to enjoy at the funeral and beyond.

funeral home in North Versailles, PA

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you have more questions about personalized funerals or North Versailles, PA funeral homes. We offer a range of services and are happy to do what we can. Please stop by or give us a call to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.