Funeral Homes vs Crematoriums

When a loved one passes away, it can be overwhelming to make decisions about funeral arrangements. One of the most significant decisions is choosing between a funeral home and a crematorium. Choosing the right cremation services in Pittsburgh, PA is actually not that difficult once you know what you are looking for. Here is a comparison between funeral homes and crematoriums to help you make an informed decision.

Funeral Homes Offer A Range Of Services

Some of the services funeral homes offer to include funeral planning, visitation, memorial services, and burial services. Funeral planning involves making arrangements for a memorial or funeral service for the deceased. Some funeral planning tasks include selecting a casket, preparing the body, and arranging for transportation. The family gets to say their final goodbyes to the deceased during visitation and memorial services are held after the burial to celebrate the person’s life. A burial service is held just before the casket or urn is lowered into the grave.

What Is The Cost Of Funeral Homes?

Not all funeral homes are the same meaning that the cost of funeral homes can vary greatly. The final amount you pay depends on the services you choose. The average cost of cremations is about $1,500 depending on the cremation package you choose, which is significantly more affordable than traditional funerals that can cost between $7,000 and $10,000. Traditional funerals are often more costly because of the extra expenses such as a casket, flowers, and transportation

Crematoriums

Crematoriums, as their name suggests, only offer cremation as their main service. That means all they do is reduce the body of the deceased to ash through intense heat. They sometimes offer meaningful locations for scattering the ashes and may also provide memorial services. The average cost of cremation at crematoriums ranges from $1,000 to $4,000. Consider additional costs for an urn, transportation, and a memorial service. Crematoriums also have facilities to store bodies before they are cremated. This is necessary because the cremation only happens after certain permits are given.

Should You Choose A Crematorium Or Funeral Home?

It all depends on the kind of cremation services you are looking for. With crematoriums, you have to make arrangements for the cremation and the scattering service. A funeral home can make all the cremation arrangements including getting the needed permits and documentation. They also sell different types of urns that you may need. Funeral homes offer different cremation services including simple cremation which is the most affordable cremation package. Other cremation packages include extra services such as viewing or visitation, funeral service, scattering services, and more.

When looking for the right cremation services in Pittsburgh, PA you have to consider your personal preferences and circumstances. Funeral homes offer a variety of cremation packages that differ not in the services included in them and also in the cost. Crematoriums are simpler as far as the services they offer are concerned. But you are more likely to experience familiarity and comfort at a funeral home.