Why Do Families Choose Cremation?

A family may choose cremation because of their feelings towards the environment, religious beliefs, or economic factors may play a role in choosing cremation. Cremation also gives families the right to burial, inurnment in a columbarium, jewelry keepsakes, or you may choose to simply keep them at home. The reasons for choosing cremation instead of the normal traditional type service are personal reflections of a individuals belief and wishes.

What is Cremation?

Cremation is the process of reducing the body to bone fragments through the application of intense heat. This procedure usually takes between two to three hours and occurs in a special type of furnace known as a cremation chamber or retort. This process uses natural gas and includes complete combustion which means that only heat comes out of a chimney and the entire process is considered "green". The remains are then processed into a finer substance and placed into a temporary container. Families, may then choose an urn for permanent containment of the cremated remains if they wish.

Most people believe that at the time of death, only two basic choices exist: immediate cremation of the body or a complete funeral, including viewing, followed by burial. As a matter of fact there are several options available for those who prefer cremation. Cremation and burial are both defined as methods of disposition of the body, and are just one part of a funeral. Just like burial, cremation can occur after a funeral where the casket is present at a place of worship or funeral home. Likewise, cremation can occur after a memorial service. The urn may or may not be present for the memorial service, depending on the family's wishes.

As with burials, a cremation funeral may be preceded by a period of visitation or a reception at the funeral home or church. During this time and before the service, the casket may be open or closed, according to the preferences of the family. Instead of a public visitation, some families opt to receive friends at their residence or other location, which is another matter of personal choice. After cremation, a public or private service may be arranged for the final placement of the cremated remains.

Generally, the cremation process itself costs less than burial or entombment. However, a more accurate comparison must include the services chosen to be a part of the total funeral. We can offer current information on cremation costs.

How much time does it take to complete the cremation process?

Once death has occurred there is a 24 hour holding period required by law, once the waiting period has been satisfied we take your loved one to the crematory and supervise the cremation. The Cremated remains can be returned to your family in the early evening or the following day whatever your personal preference may be.

Who owns the crematory?

We utilize a 3rd party funeral home crematory. Even though we unfortunately do not have our own crematory please know that we take all the necessary precautions while your loved one is in our care. We supervise all cremations, we check that all licenses are up to date, and that all cremations are preformed by a Cremation Certified Licensed Funeral Directors.

How can a cremation service be personalized?

Some families believe that personalizing any funeral service is difficult, it's not. With cremation it is very easy to create a setting that represents a loved one's family, hobbies, community involvements, and career. By sharing these memories we can help you create a beautiful celebration of life service. We will assist you in setting up a memorial table filled with personal items, a video tribute which is played during the visitation and services, and picture boards.

Why Choose Humphrey Funeral Home for Cremation?

• All Cremations are preformed individually.
• We utilize a Crematory within Schuylkill County.
• All Cremations are preformed by Cremation Certified Licensed Funeral Directors
• We explain everything in detail and respect your wishes.
• Cremains are returned to our funeral home personally by the crematory personnel same day. ABSOLUTELY NO SHIPPING OF CREMAINS.
• No hidden charges.
• Peace of Mind for you and your family.
• Cremation is supervised by a member of our immediate staff.
• All loved ones are taken to the crematory by our immediate staff, absolutely no middlemen.
• We offer 6 different cremation options. 

What kind of urns are available?

Cremation urns are offered in a wide variety. The purpose purchasing an urn is not required like the purchase of a casket is for normal traditional funerals. Urns come in many styles such as wood, bronze, stainless steel marble, crystal, glass, and porcelain.

Funeral Ark

The Funeral Ark is a special way to allow family and friends to participate in funeral ceremonies that involve cremation. The cremation urn is on display in the ark, and pallbearers can carry it in a formal procession in and out of our funeral home, a place of worship, at a memorial service or to a cemetery for a committal service.

What kind of cremation jewelry is available?

Keepsake jewelry is a way to always keep your loved one close to your heart. We offer a wide variety of keepsake jewelry from thumbies (which is finger or thumb print of your loved one laser engraved onto a sliver or gold medallion) to standard cremation jewelry which contains a piece of that someone who was and always will be special.

Is a cremation casket needed?

NO. A cremation casket is not required for cremation. The majority of crematories however require an alternative container which is made of a cardboard pressed-wood composition material and is provided by the crematory. Cremation caskets are mostly common for traditional type funeral services with cremation to follow.

What type of cremation services are there?

There 6 different options for cremation at our funeral home   

Non-Ceremonial Cremation: Basic services of funeral director and staff. Transfer of loved one into our care. Sanitary care including; bathing shave, shampoo and combing hair. Optional dressing of remains. Private identification viewing which is limited to immediate family (Parents, siblings, children, grandchildren) Crematory cost. Sheltering of remains for 24 hours required by law. Assistance with Veterans and Social Security benefits. Filing of obituary and death certificate and return of cremated remains from the crematory.

Memorial Service: Basic services of funeral director and staff. Transfer of loved one into our care and sanitary care. In addition to the non-ceremonial cremation cost this services includes: use of staff at any location (Church, Funeral Home, Cemetery) flower van, utility vehicle, register book and memorial folders, acknowledgement cards, and prayer cards. Crematory cost. Sheltering of remains for 24 hours required by law. Assistance with Veterans and Social Security benefits. Filing of obituary and death certificate and return of cremated remains from the crematory.

Traditional with Cremation to Follow: Basic services of funeral director and staff. Transfer of loved one into our care. Sanitary care; use of facilities for the service or set up the church or other facility; crematory cost, transportation to the nearest crematory automotive equipment (funeral coach, lead car, flower van/utility vehicle); Cremation Casket, register book and memorial folders, acknowledgement cards, and prayer cards. Assistance with Veterans and Social Security benefits Filing of obituary and death certificate and return of cremated remains from the crematory.

Memories: Basic services of funeral director and staff. Transfer of loved one into our care, Embalming, Sanitary care; In addition to the non-ceremonial cremation cost this services includes: use of facilities for the service or set up the church or other facility; crematory cost, transportation to the nearest crematory automotive equipment (funeral coach, lead car, flower van/utility vehicle); Cremation Casket, Urn, Photo register book and custom memorial folders, acknowledgement cards, and prayer cards, and a video tribute. Assistance with Veterans and Social Security benefits Filing of obituary and death certificate and return of cremated remains from the crematory.

Journey: Basic services of funeral director and staff. Transfer of loved one into our care and sanitary care. In addition to the non-ceremonial cremation cost this services includes: use of staff at any location (Church, Funeral Home, Cemetery) flower van, utility vehicle, cremation urn. Photo register book and custom memorial folders, acknowledgement cards, and prayer cards, and a video tribute. Assistance with Veterans and Social Security benefits.

Veterans Memorial Service: Basic services of funeral director and staff. Transfer of loved one into our care and sanitary care. In addition to the non-ceremonial cremation cost this services includes: use of staff at any location (Church, Funeral Home, Cemetery) flower van, utility vehicle, cremation urn. Honor and Glory register book, memorial folders, acknowledgement cards, and prayer cards, and a video tribute. Assistance with Veterans and Social Security benefits.

For pricing of any of these services please call the funeral home at 570-622-1403.