Cremation Service Options
Why Our Private Crematory Matters
Many funeral homes in northeastern Pennsylvania send remains to third-party facilities, sometimes hours away. We've chosen a different path. Our on-site crematory means:
Your loved one remains in our care throughout the entire process. Our trained cremation operators handle every step with dignity and professionalism. Families can have complete confidence in the chain of custody. We can accommodate special requests and timing needs more easily.
This commitment to keeping everything under one roof isn't just about logistics—it's about maintaining the personal, caring service that Shenandoah families have come to expect from us.
Our Cremation Services
Every family's needs are different. Some prefer a simple, straightforward approach, while others want to incorporate traditional elements into their cremation arrangements. We offer options across this entire spectrum.
Direct Cremation
For families seeking simplicity, direct cremation provides a dignified option without a formal viewing or service beforehand. This choice allows you to hold a memorial gathering on your own timeline—whether that's the following week, several months later, or whenever your family can come together.
Traditional Service Followed by Cremation
Cremation doesn't mean giving up the meaningful rituals that help families say goodbye. We can arrange a complete funeral service with visitation, allowing friends and relatives to gather, share memories, and pay respects before cremation takes place. Many families find this combination offers the best of both approaches.
Memorial Services and Celebrations of Life
After cremation, we help families create memorial gatherings that truly reflect their loved one's personality and passions. These services can take place at our funeral home, your church or place of worship, a favorite park, or anywhere that held special meaning. Without the time constraints of traditional burial, you have flexibility to plan something memorable.
What to Expect When You Choose Cremation
We believe families deserve to understand exactly what happens when they entrust a loved one to our care.
When you contact us: Our staff is available around the clock. We'll arrange for respectful transportation of your loved one to our facility and begin gathering the information needed for permits and documentation.
Paperwork and permits: Pennsylvania requires specific authorizations before cremation can proceed. We handle all of this on your behalf, working with physicians and local authorities to ensure everything is completed accurately and promptly.
The cremation process: Our trained operators perform each cremation individually, maintaining careful identification procedures throughout. The process itself takes several hours, after which the cremated remains are carefully processed and placed in a temporary container or your chosen urn.
Returning your loved one: We contact you as soon as the cremated remains are ready. You can pick them up at our funeral home, or we can arrange delivery if that's more convenient for your family.
Memorial Products and Keepsakes
Choosing how to honor your loved one's memory is an important decision. We offer a thoughtful selection of options to help you find what feels right.
Our urn collection ranges from classic and understated to ornate and decorative. Materials include wood, marble, bronze, ceramic, and biodegradable options for scattering. We also carry cremation jewelry and keepsakes that allow family members to keep a small portion of cremated remains close to their hearts.
For families considering ocean scattering, we offer a unique service in Key West, Florida, where our certified scuba-diving funeral directors ensure a respectful final journey to sea. Ask us for details about this meaningful option.
Understanding Cremation Costs
We believe in straightforward, honest communication about pricing. Cremation typically costs less than traditional burial because it doesn't require a casket, burial vault, or cemetery plot. However, the total cost depends on the services you choose.
A direct cremation represents our most affordable option. Adding a visitation, service, or special memorial gathering increases the investment but may be well worth it for families who value those traditions. During your arrangement meeting, we'll walk through all options and associated costs so you can make informed decisions that fit your budget.
Why Families in Shenandoah Choose Cremation
The reasons families choose cremation have evolved over the years. Some of the most common considerations include:
Flexibility in timing. Without the urgency of scheduling burial, families can plan memorial services when out-of-town relatives can attend or when the grief isn't quite so raw.
Environmental considerations. Many families appreciate that cremation uses less land and fewer resources than traditional burial.
Simplicity. For some, the streamlined nature of cremation feels right—it allows them to focus on gathering with loved ones rather than coordinating complex logistics.
Portability. Cremated remains can be kept at home, divided among family members, scattered in meaningful locations, or interred in a cemetery. This flexibility appeals to families who move frequently or whose members are spread across the country.
Religious acceptance. Most faith traditions now accept cremation, including the Catholic Church, which lifted its prohibition decades ago.
Whatever your reasons, we're here to support your family's choices without judgment.
Planning Ahead for Cremation
Many people find comfort in arranging their own cremation services in advance. Pre-planning removes the burden of decision-making from your family during an emotional time and ensures your wishes are clearly documented.
We're happy to meet with you—at our funeral home or in the comfort of your own home—to discuss pre-arrangement options. These conversations are never rushed, and there's never any pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the cremation process take?
The cremation itself typically takes two to three hours, depending on various factors. However, Pennsylvania requires a waiting period before cremation can occur, and obtaining the necessary permits usually takes one to three days. We'll keep you informed throughout the process and let you know as soon as your loved one's cremated remains are ready.
Can we still have a viewing if we choose cremation?
Absolutely. Many families choose to hold a traditional visitation and funeral service before cremation takes place. We can arrange everything from a brief private viewing for immediate family to a full public visitation over one or two days. Cremation simply happens after the service instead of burial.
What can we do with cremated remains in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law allows considerable flexibility. You may keep cremated remains at home, inter them in a cemetery plot or columbarium niche, scatter them on private property with the owner's permission, or scatter them in certain public areas following local regulations. We can help you understand your options and any permits that might be required.
Does Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell have its own crematory?
Yes, we operate our own private crematory in Shenandoah. This means your loved one never leaves our care—from the moment we bring them into our facility until we return their cremated remains to you. Our trained cremation operators handle every step of the process with dignity and respect.
