• Who will perform the cremation?
• Should you purchase an urn?
• What kind of remembrance ceremony would you like to have?
• What will you do with the cremated remains?

You may wish to keep the remains at your home for a time, until you feel ready to let go of them, or when all family members can be present for a scattering ceremony.

Our professional Funeral Directors can advise you on unique ways to memorialize a loved one using the cremated remains, including the creation of art glass objects. We also offer a wide selection of cremation keepsake jewelry.

We can also recommend firms in the area that specialize in scattering the cremated remains at sea, or in the air.

Since every family is different and has unique needs, our funeral home knows it’s important to offer families in the Dillsburg area an array of various affordable cremation options, some of these include:

Direct Cremation Services

Direct cremation, also known as a simple cremation, is when the decedent is cremated without any viewing or memorial services. The cremains can be placed in a variety of containers such as an urn. Families may want this option if they are not ready to have a memorial service right away or if the deceased did not want to have a service at all. Our direct cremation service includes the transportation of your loved one into our care, climate-controlled cremation housing, the cremation itself, and returning the cremains to back the family. We obtain all permitting necessary to perform the cremation and as well as the certified death certificates.

Direct Cremation Service with Private Family Viewing

Like the direct cremation service listed above, this option gives families the option to see their loved one prior to cremation. This takes place at the funeral home and is an option for immediate family members to say a private goodbye.

Cremation with a Memorial Service

For this service, the deceased will be cremated prior to the funeral service. The ashes will be placed in the container of your choice. Then, we will hold a funeral service in honor of your loved one. Funeral services often include an officiant or family members speaking to pay tribute to a loved one. Typically, the cremains in their desired container are present. Families choose this option if they do not want a viewing of their loved one’s body but still want a service.

Cremation with a Graveside Service

When choosing a graveside service, a service takes place after your loved one has been cremated. Then, friends and family will gather at the cemetery or grave plot for a funeral service. The service can include having a minister or family members speak at the graveside. At the end of the service, the deceased’s ashes will be buried — they can be buried as is or in a selected container such as an urn.

Cremation with a Celebration of Life Service

Like the services above, the deceased will be cremated prior to the celebration of life service. However, a celebration of life service is not necessarily the same as a traditional funeral service. This service option gives families more options for creativity and can be held in any venue of their choosing. It’s a time for family and friends to gather and share memories of the deceased.

Of course, with any of these services, you can choose to have a funeral service viewing before cremation. With this option, the deceased will be embalmed and prepared for a viewing. Then later they are cremated, and the family will receive their ashes.

Contact us today to explore cremation options, and the many creative ways you can memorialize a loved one either before, or after, the cremation has occurred.

The Cremation Association of North America describes cremation as, "The mechanical and/or thermal or other dissolution process that reduces human remains to bone fragments".

As we said earlier, people choose cremation over burial of casketed remains for any combination of reasons. Sometimes it's the simple fear of burial itself, which may stem directly from the Victorian phobia of being buried alive.