After a loss, it can be difficult to know what questions you should ask or where to even begin. The tips below take the guesswork out of choosing a funeral home and offer ways to help make the process easier for those navigating their first death notification services. We hope this information is helpful.

The moment death occurs in a family, everyone is frightened and in a rush to find whatever they need: phone numbers, burial instructions, and survivors’ contacts. The funeral home you select can provide great support during this hard time.

Choosing the right one may not be easy, but we’re here to help through each step of the process.

How do I choose the right funeral home?

There are several factors to consider when choosing a funeral home. When reviewing funeral homes, start by looking at their pre-need contract and price list because these should give you an idea of how much their services will cost and what they offer.

It’s important to find a funeral home that can accommodate your needs and the specific funeral arrangements you desire. Here are a few more tips on how to choose a funeral home:

1) Ask family and friends for recommendations. Let them know what kind of arrangement you’re looking for (traditional, cremation, etc.) and ask if they can recommend any local funeral homes that would be able to meet your needs.

2) Look for a funeral home that has been around for many years, as they will have more experience helping families with pre-planning and planning funerals. A local funeral home can offer guidance through this tough time from start to finish.

3) Request a consultation in person, by phone, or via email. Some funeral homes will do their best to give you a tour of the facility and discuss their services once you contact them. The consultation is your opportunity to ask questions and find out about pricing for their services, including casket prices, burial costs, and cremation services.

4) Request an itemized price list, including fees for everything from direct cremation costs to the use of their facilities. Some funeral homes will also include merchandise prices, which are extra items you can purchase to personalize a loved one’s memorial service or burial.

5) Meet with the funeral director again to discuss specific items such as personalization and whether they require you to obtain a death certificate (required by many locations for cremation services). Note: You may want to ask about obtaining the death certificate, as your funeral home will likely need one before proceeding with cremation or burial. If you choose to use an attorney or another individual to obtain the certificate, it may cost you more.

In conclusion, picking the right funeral home is an important decision. We hope the tips above help you choose the perfect one for your needs.

If you have recently lost a loved in Philadelphia, you may find yourself researching the costs associated with post-death disposition. The price can vary greatly depending upon what exactly are you looking for. For instance, if you are looking for a traditional funeral and burial, you will find the expenses are much greater than if you are looking for Philadelphia cremation services. Of course, even within the cremation category the price can vary greatly depending on the type of cremation you are looking at. For example, a more traditional choice will cost more than a direct cremation.

Traditional Funeral with Burial

According to research and data analyzed by finder.com, the cost of a traditional funeral in Philadelphia is $6,674 dollars. With an average median income of $44,965 dollars, a traditional funeral comes out to cost 14.84% of the median households income. The burial expense of this is $3,595, so the other expenses can be attributed to things like the costs of the funeral home and the caskets. You may be able to reduce this costs significantly by researching multiple funeral homes, and finding your own casket.

Philadelphia Cremation Cost

The average cost of a cremation service in Philadelphia comes out to be about 8% of the median households income. This means that the cremation service can come out to around $3,597. Of course, as we mentioned before, this price can vary greatly depending on which type of cremation service you choose to opt for this. This average cost includes the basic cremation, but if you choose to opt for a direct cremation you can greatly reduce the cost, as their are many crematoriums in the city of brotherly love that will offer this service for under a $1,000. A basic cremation costs so much because it also involves the expenses associated with holding a memorial service. Depending on how many people will be attending, you may opt to hold a ceremony such as a celebration of life, or a memorial service at yours or someone’s house. This is the most affordable cremation option.

Contact Funeral Homes and Crematoriums on Your Own

Ultimately, the price range, costs, and expenses associated with post-death disposition of a deceased body, as well as the type of service you choose to have to honor your deceased love one can vary greatly. From the cheapest options available you could end up paying as little as $700, or as much as $8,000+. There is no one sized fits all answer when it comes to this topic. For each person the service they are looking for will vary greatly depending on their beliefs, and the wishes of the deceased. For this reason, we here at Philly Core Leaders advise that you do your own research to find the option that best aligns with your needs and financial situation. We are happy to offer our advice and answer any questions that you may have, but the decision is far too important for you to not do your own research. A quick Google search will give you a short lists of funeral homes and cremation services providers that serve the Philadelphia area. Make a short list and reach out to 3-5 of them and see what services they can offer you, and for what costs. From there you will be able to make the decision that is best for you and your circumstances. We wish you the best of luck in this endeavor.

Here at Philly Core Leaders, our goal is in our name. We strive to be the leaders in the cremation industry providing cheap and affordable cremation services to all Philadelphia citizens. We will continue to stay at the cutting edge of the industry and be thought leaders in the industry. Our goal is to help those families who are struggling with life’s most difficult moments, and provide warm and affordable options to help ease their mind.