Traditional Burial
Burial Services in Shenandoah, PA
When someone you love passes away, honoring their memory with a meaningful farewell becomes one of the most important things you'll ever do. At Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, we've been helping Shenandoah families navigate this sacred responsibility for over a century. Our traditional burial services provide the time-honored rituals that bring comfort, closure, and a lasting tribute to the life your loved one lived.
Whether your family has been in the Coal Region for generations or you're new to Luzerne County, we understand that every person deserves a funeral as unique as the life they lived. Our licensed funeral directors work closely with you to create a service that reflects your loved one's personality, faith, and the wishes they may have expressed.
What Our Traditional Burial Services Include
A traditional burial service at our Shenandoah funeral home encompasses everything needed to honor your loved one with dignity. From the moment you call us—day or night—our team handles every detail so you can focus on your family during this difficult time.
Our complete burial services include professional transportation of your loved one to our facility, preparation and embalming if desired, coordination with your chosen place of worship or venue, arrangement of the visitation and funeral ceremony, and graveside committal services. We also assist with obituary preparation, death certificate filing, and coordination with cemeteries throughout Luzerne County and beyond.
Personalized Funeral Ceremonies
No two lives are the same, and no two funerals should be either. Our team takes the time to learn about your loved one—their passions, accomplishments, faith, and the memories their family and friends cherish most. This understanding shapes every aspect of the service we help you plan.
You might choose a formal church service followed by a graveside burial, or perhaps a more intimate gathering at our funeral home chapel. Some families prefer a celebration of life that focuses on joyful memories rather than sorrow. Others find comfort in religious traditions passed down through generations. We accommodate all faiths and cultural practices, working with clergy and community leaders throughout the Shenandoah area to ensure the ceremony honors your family's heritage.
Memorial tributes can include photo displays, video presentations, favorite music, and personal mementos that capture who your loved one was. These touches transform a funeral from a standard service into a genuine reflection of an individual life.
Caskets, Vaults, and Burial Merchandise
Choosing a casket is a deeply personal decision, and we believe every family should have options that fit both their preferences and their budget. Our selection includes caskets crafted from hardwoods like oak, cherry, maple, and mahogany, as well as steel and bronze options in various finishes and interior styles.
For families seeking something distinctive, we offer customization options that can incorporate meaningful symbols, military emblems, or designs that reflect your loved one's interests and passions.
Burial vaults protect the casket and are required by most cemeteries in Pennsylvania. We carry a range of vault options from basic concrete to reinforced steel and bronze-lined models. Our funeral directors explain the differences clearly so you can make an informed choice without pressure.
Memorial markers and monuments provide a permanent place for family and friends to visit and remember. We can help you select and order the right marker, whether a simple flat bronze plaque or an upright granite monument.
The Process: What to Expect
When you first call our funeral home, a licensed funeral director will answer your questions and begin gathering essential information. If your loved one has passed at home, in a hospital, or in a care facility, we'll coordinate transportation to our facility promptly and with complete care.
Within the next day or two, you'll meet with a funeral director to discuss your wishes and make arrangements. This conversation covers everything from selecting a casket and planning the service to choosing readings, music, and pallbearers. We encourage you to bring photos, personal items, and any notes your loved one may have left about their preferences.
The visitation typically takes place one or two days before the funeral, giving friends and extended family time to pay respects and offer condolences. The funeral service follows, either at our chapel, your church, or another chosen venue. Finally, we conduct the graveside committal where your loved one is laid to rest.
Throughout this process, we handle coordination with clergy, cemeteries, florists, newspapers for the obituary, and any other parties involved. You'll never feel alone or overwhelmed—our staff has over a century of combined experience guiding families through these moments.
Why Families Choose Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell
Our funeral home has served Shenandoah and the surrounding Luzerne County communities for more than 100 years. That kind of longevity doesn't happen by accident. It comes from treating every family like our own, generation after generation.
Marguerite "Midge" Oravitz Fell, our supervisor, represents the third generation of the Oravitz family in funeral service. Her grandparents, parents, and now she herself have dedicated their lives to caring for families at the most difficult moments. This isn't just a business for us—it's a calling.
When you work with our team, you get licensed professionals who live in this community, worship in the same churches, and understand the traditions that matter to local families. We're available around the clock because loss doesn't follow business hours. When you need us at 2 a.m., we answer.
We also believe that a meaningful funeral shouldn't be out of reach for any family. We offer a range of service packages and merchandise options to accommodate different budgets, and we're always transparent about costs. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges—just honest guidance from people who genuinely care.
FAQ
What is included in a traditional burial service?
A traditional burial service typically includes transportation of your loved one, preparation and embalming, use of our facilities for visitation and the funeral ceremony, a hearse for the procession, graveside committal, and coordination of all arrangements. Our funeral directors handle paperwork, cemetery coordination, and obituary submission so you can focus on your family.
How much does a traditional funeral cost in Pennsylvania?
Funeral costs vary based on the services you choose, the casket and vault selected, and cemetery fees. We provide itemized pricing during our arrangement meeting so you understand exactly what you're paying for. Our team works with families at every budget level to create meaningful services, and we're happy to discuss options during a no-obligation consultation.
Can we personalize the funeral service?
Absolutely. We encourage families to make the service as personal as possible. This might include displaying photos and memorabilia, playing your loved one's favorite music, incorporating cultural or religious traditions, or having family members share memories and readings. Our funeral directors will help you brainstorm ideas that capture your loved one's spirit.
Do you offer services at churches and other venues outside your funeral home?
Yes. We regularly coordinate funeral services at churches, places of worship, and meaningful locations throughout Shenandoah, Lost Creek, Sheppton, and the broader Luzerne County area. Whether you prefer your family's church, a community hall, or another special location, we'll handle the logistics.
