Monthly Archives: September 2021

cremation services in Penn Township, PA

Pre-Need Vs. At-Need

You might have heard the phrases, “at-need services” and “pre-need services” when discussing funeral homes and cremation services in Penn Township, PA. However, you and many other people might not be entirely clear on what they mean.

Both “at-need” and “pre-need” describe when services are offered. At-need funeral or cremation services are offered to families “at the time of need.” In other words, at-need services are for after a death has already occurred. Pre-need funeral or cremation services are offered to individuals who are planning ahead or are making funeral or cremation planning decisions prior to their passing.

Let’s take a closer look at both kinds of cremation services. Pre-need services are selected by an individual before their time of death. Sometimes people choose to preplan far in advance when they are making plans for their will or estate, but in other cases people can preplan closer to their time of death. On the other hand, at-need funeral services are used in two situations: in the event of a sudden, unexpected death or when a family or individual has decided to wait until the time of death to make funeral plans. In both situations the deceased and the bereaved have not made plans in advance of the death. At-need services are also not selected by the deceased, but instead by the surviving next of kin or family members of the deceased.

While both at-needs and pre-needs cremation services can have benefits and negatives, and sometimes at-needs services are unavoidable if the death was unexpected, many argue that pre-needs services are much better. There are many reasons why pre-need planning is good, including:

  1. cremation services in Penn Township, PAGrieving Process – Funeral and memorial services are an important part of the grieving process, but your loved ones might miss out on the important benefits if they are too busy planning the event. Preplan so they don’t have to.
  2. Taking Charge – Make sure you get the exact funeral or cremation you want by taking care of the details and clearly laying them out for your friends and family. This way they won’t be able to argue or disagree. You can also plan for how to cover the funeral or cremation costs in advance to make it easier for your family’s bank accounts and stress levels. Look into cremation insurance or funeral trusts to help ensure financial ease.
  3. Upholding Self-Reliance -Taking charge of your funeral or memorial service allows you to maintain control and independence when you might otherwise lose them. This is good for your mental health at the end of your life and gives you more self-reliance.
  4. Lessen the Load – They also help lessen your family’s load. Let your family know exactly what you want for your cremation so they don’t have to guess what to do after you’re gone, or spend time making painful decisions when they should be grieving with loved ones.

At-need and pre-need services are both valid options. Do you want to learn more about Penn Township, PA cremation services or pre-need planning? Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help. Call today!

funeral homes in Penn Township, PA

Should You Bring Your Child to the Funeral Home?

Every parent’s first instinct is to keep their children from harm, which often means keeping children out of memorials or services at funeral homes in Penn Township, PA. Protecting your child from death seems to make a lot of sense. Even adults don’t want to deal with death. However, in many cases, keeping a kid from attending a funeral could actually do more harm than good.

The memorialization process is very important for mourning and dealing with grief in a healthy and constructive way. This is true for kids just as it is true for adults. Children who don’t get the chance to say goodbye to a loved one at a funeral might feel resentment that they missed out, might not get the closure they need to heal and grieve in a healthy way, and might even develop untrue and scary scenarios in their minds about death because they weren’t exposed to the truth. Some experts say that children should have a say in the matter of whether or not they should attend a funeral.

Ask your child if he wants to go to the memorial service and make every effort to respect his choice. In order to make sure his choice is informed, give him plenty of information about what he will see and experience at the event. Talk about memorial or funeral details like who will be there; what will happen throughout the day and the funeral itself, from eating and drinking to sitting still during the service; where the funeral will take place, and even why memorial services happen in the first place.

Go into as much detail as you feel necessary, especially when it comes to the step-by-step description of the event to dispel any anxiety or untrue ideas your child may have about memorial services, funerals and death. If he has questions, do your best to answer thoroughly but simply, sticking to the basics and remaining honest. If your child chooses to go to the memorial service or funeral, take care to explain that he isn’t expected to feel any certain way. Some people at the event might be crying or very sad, and that’s OK. He can cry or be sad, or express however he’s feeling in a respectful way.

funeral homes in Penn Township, PAAlso, be sure to avoid using euphemisms about death. “Grandpa passed away” or “Grandpa is sleeping” are very confusing and untrue. Make it clear that death is permanent, but it doesn’t have to be scary.

Finally, let your child participate as much or as little as he wants, whether that means sitting quietly during the service, choosing photos for a memorial collage, coloring a picture to put up as decoration, or lighting a candle during the service. Don’t forget to follow-up with your child after the funeral or memorial service to see if he has any questions.

If you want to learn more about Penn Township, PA funeral homes or funeral tips, Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

cremation service in North Versailles, PA

Sympathy Cards After Cremation Services

Many people want to reach out with condolences for friends, coworkers, or family members after hearing the news about them losing someone they love or after attending a cremation service in North Versailles, PA, it’s important to take the time to think about how you can express condolences.

However, it can be hard to know what to say to someone that is going through the loss of a loved one, especially when trying to craft a sentiment that both acknowledges the loss and provides comfort to the bereaved. These tips are here to help. To begin, you can try to give the bereaved a call. Expressing condolences can be a tricky thing, as it can be hard to know what to say. If you’re at a loss for words, you can say things like, “My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.”, “I’ll always remember how [name] would [insert story or characteristic here].”, “There are no words. Just know that I love you and will also miss [name].”, “[Name] was a great person. My sympathies to you and your family.”, “We are so sorry for your loss.”, or “No one can ever replace the remarkable person that your ____ was.”

But some people have trouble calling others on the phone, especially when that person in grieving. That’s where sympathy cards come in. Sympathy cards are the most traditional method of communicating these sentiments to the bereaved in their time of grief, but it can be tricky to accurately convey feelings and ideas. Use these sympathy card tips based on the feelings you’re trying to convey to make sure you are getting your message across:

  • Apologizing for Missing the Service – Listing the various reasons why you couldn’t make a funeral or service may just look like you’re making excuses. Rather than writing, “I didn’t make the funeral because ___” try focusing on how you will support them in the future by saying something like, “I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it. I’m bringing lunch for you on ___ if that works for you.”
  • Empathy – You might have lost someone, too. And while comparing your loss to the bereaved’s might seem like a good idea, it may come across as you trying to make it about you. Instead of writing, “I know how you feel” or “I’ve lost a ___ too”, try writing, “I’m grieving with you” or “I miss ___ too”.
  • Wanting to Help – Offering help to the bereaved is always well intentioned, especially since it can be hard for people to ask for help when they need it. To make it easier for the bereaved to get the help that is specific for their needs, try not to write statements like, “Call me if you need anything.” Instead, trying to say “I’m going to go grocery shopping on ____, send me your list and I will be happy to get it for you” or “Here is a gift certificate. Please use this to____.”

cremation service in North Versailles, PA

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you would like more tips on sympathy cards or would like to learn more about our North Versailles, PA cremation services.

Monroeville Funeral Homes

How to Find the Right Funeral Home in Monroeville

Choosing a funeral home is difficult because of the many choices. You should talk to others who have heard about different funeral homes and then choose one. A lot of people prefer a funeral home that is in their budget and has the services they want. They must be able to meet your needs and have prior experience with the type of funeral you desire.

What should I look for when choosing a funeral home?

There are a lot of steps to follow when looking for a reputable funeral home before or after someone dies. You should plan and research before making your decision. This makes it easier to find the right one.

1. Find a funeral home that is close to your family.
2. Visit the facility in person and find out if it has all of the services you need.
3. Ask for references from people who have used the funeral home in the past.
4. Compare prices between different funeral homes to get an idea of what’s available in your area.
5. Consider how much time you want to spend at a viewing or service – some facilities allow for more flexibility than others.
6. What type of funeral service will you need – traditional, cremation, or a combination.

What questions should you ask a funeral home?

There are many questions that you may have if considering an arrangement for a loved one who has passed away.

1. Who will be in charge of the funeral? Any licenses for embalmers, etc.?
2. What is their procedure for removing and choosing a casket?
3. In most cases, how long can I wait to make my decision?
4. Will you take care of all the paperwork involved with proving death or cremation if so desired upon selecting pre-arrangement with a casket purchase (usually)?
5. If pre-paid, what recourse do I have if the company goes out of business or mismanaged funds? How are funds secured with companies that offer prepayment plans and joint bank accounts instead of certificates of deposit or life insurance policies which are not under?

How do I choose a funeral director?

A funeral director should be able to answer your questions and provide insight from their extensive experience. A reputable funeral director will often work with your insurance company to get the best possible outcome for you. Their expertise in dealing with these companies means that they know what is needed to preserve any life-insurance benefits due you or your spouse’s estate as well as what types of indemnity coverage may exist with other policies, including auto or homeowner policies.

Funeral directors are knowledgeable about death certificates and who needs signatures for death certificates, how long paper acting lasts so that assets can still be passed on even if there is an issue in locating next of kin.

Funerals can be an emotionally taxing experience. Trusting a funeral director with your needs is the first step in ensuring that you get through this difficult time as smoothly and effortlessly as possible, so it’s critical to wisely choose someone who has both qualifications for professionalism and respectability when organizing their services. Funeral directors are essential components of funerary rites because they’ll act like glue holding everything together: from compiling guest lists to arranging transportation; these experts will ensure all logistics go off without hitch or hassle.

Here are the steps in finding the right funeral home in Monroeville  One of the Best Funeral Homes in Monroeville

1. When you want to plan a funeral, you should do some research first.

The best place to start is by choosing a city. After you choose the city, make a list of possible funeral homes. Ask your friends and family if they have any good experiences or recommendations with that funeral home.

2. Once you’ve made a list of funeral homes, call them to learn more about their services.

We recommend starting by asking the following questions so that it’s easier for you to make your decision:

  • What is included with the price? Is there an additional fee per person or item (casket)?
  • Do they provide caskets and flowers locally as well?
  • Who will be handling my arrangements once I have passed away? Will someone from this company come out on site if needed in order to help carry things through smoothly during one of life’s most difficult times?
  • How much are their fees versus others on average when compared across several different states/countries around the world.

3. One of the most important aspects of choosing your providers is meeting with funeral directors and touring each facility. Use these meetings to inspect their facilities, learn more

about their price and service options from a reputable funeral home in Monroeville, PA, and figure out what they can do for you at this moment.

Some warnings to look for when choosing a funeral home are:

1. Beware of funeral homes that advertise themselves as “traditional” or “old-fashioned,” while also offering a variety of services.
2. Be wary of funeral homes that charge for an itemized list of costs.
3. Avoid funeral homes with high pressure sales tactics and/or pushy employees.
4. Watch out for funeral homes that have hidden fees in their contract, including charges for embalming, use of the facility’s chapel, and parking.
5. Look out for crematoriums where you are charged to see your loved one before they are cremated.
6. Check out the facility to make sure it is in a good location, in good condition, and has been well maintained.
7. Talk to other family members or friends who have used this funeral home before.

One of the Best Funeral Homes in Monroeville Ave Turtle Creek, PA

You want to find a funeral home that you know will take care of everything, and then make sure they take care of every detail with unparalleled kindness, compassion, and urns. Well look no further than Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. Our family-owned funeral home has been in business since 1905. We know how important it is to have another side when dealing with death or grieving. With professional facilities like ours, you can be confident knowing your loved ones are in good hands at all times. Reach out to us if you need to plan a funeral today!

funeral home in North Versailles, PA

Be Prepared for Funeral Home Services

No one will ever be fully prepared for a loved one’s death and service at a funeral home in North Versailles, PA. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways you can make your own eventual death easier on your loved one.

There are lots of things you can do now to prepare. What can you do right now? Here are six things you can get started on right away:

  1. Sort Your Possessions – Catalog important items of monetary or sentimental value to ensure they are kept and passed to the proper person after you’re gone. Don’t forget to notate why each item is important so no information gets lost.
  2. Last Wishes – You need to leave your last wishes. Make it known how you want your funeral or memorial to be done. Do you want a cremation service? A memorial? Traditional burial? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered when it comes to planning service, so don’t leave your loved ones to answer all of them when they are grieving your loss.
  3. Make a Will – Everyone should have a will, as wills make it easy for the bereaved to know exactly what the deceased wanted. Plus, if you don’t leave a will, the state might end up choosing who gets your asses and who will care for your dependents.
  4. Get Life Insurance – Your family might rely on you for financial support, meaning that when you die, they will not only lose you but will also love the income you provided. Take care of your loved ones by purchasing life insurance. Life insurance can help offset the costs of funeral and cremation services and can also provide additional income for living expenses, remaining debts and other costs.
  5. Find All Your Documents – You might know where your important documents are, but will your family be able to find them? They might not know to check the top dresser drawer for your will, the bottom drawer for your life insurance policy, and your desk for the bank account information. Make it easier on your loved ones and keep all your important documents in one safe place that is easily found and accessed by a surviving family member. Include your social security card; legal forms for retirement accounts, deeds, and rental agreements; tax returns; and lists of all online and computer passwords.
  6. Double Check Your Beneficiaries – Double check that your 401k, life insurance, and IRAs have the correct beneficiaries listed. In other words, make sure that the people or person you want to get the money after your gone are listed on the documents. This is especially important as someone’s beneficiary documents can supersede wills and even divorces.

funeral home in North Versailles, PA

These are just six things you can do to be better prepared. Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is here to help if you want to learn more about what you can do for your eventual passing. We are happy to assist with any preplanning or North Versailles, PA funeral home questions you may have.