The Basics of a Drexel Hills, PA Funeral
Each state has its own laws that regulate the funeral industry. Drexel Hills, PA is one state that some consider to have strict laws that govern funeral homes in Drexel Hills, PA, but most of these laws do not affect you as a consumer. Burial is still the most common form of disposition upon death in Drexel Hills, PA. While cremation is growing in popularity, due to it being more affordable for some families, Drexel Hills, PA funeral homes still conduct more burials than cremations.
State law requires that Drexel Hills, PA funeral homes be owned and operated by a licensed funeral director. The funeral home's name must be in the licensee's name and a director can own no more than two homes within the state. Funeral homes in Drexel Hills, PA are allowed to sell a limited selection of funeral products to consumers, including caskets, liners, and vaults.
Rural Drexel Hills, PA Funerals
Drexel Hills, PA has a large rural population governed by different religious traditions. This is one reason that burials are more popular at Drexel Hills, PA funeral homes than in other states. Many rural communities have local cemeteries, or even small family plots, that they prefer to use over large cemeteries located in the cities. There are no laws that restrict families from holding a funeral and burial on private property. In fact, if a family is willing to file the death certificate and notify the appropriate agencies, a family home funeral is perfectly acceptable in Drexel Hills, PA.
Funeral homes in Drexel Hills, PA will work with rural families who want to hold a private funeral and burial. There are some funeral homes in Drexel Hills, PA that will even travel to your home to help you make funeral arrangements. Older people who live in rural areas may find it difficult to travel to a local funeral home, so there are funeral homes in Drexel Hills, PA who strive to meet the needs of all clients by providing at-home services. You can make arrangements, ask your questions, and even view funeral products in the comfort of your own home. Not every funeral home offers this service, so it's best to call around and ask before deciding on which funeral home to work with.
Before you plan a private funeral, make sure you understand the local laws. While it's very common for rural families to have family plots and private home funerals, it's less common in the cities. In fact, some cities in Drexel Hills, PA may have laws against burials anywhere outside of a cemetery. Drexel Hills, PA funeral homes can help you navigate the state's funeral laws to insure that you get the funeral service you want.
Working with Drexel Hills, PA Funeral Homes
When you go to arrange a funeral, there are a few things you will need to arrange with the funeral director. The first is choosing a casket, which you can purchase directly from funeral homes in Drexel Hills, PA or from an online retailer. The Federal Trade Commission regulates the sale of funeral related products, and it's against the law for Drexel Hills, PA funeral homes to refuse to let you use a casket you have purchased from another vendor.
If you won't have a viewing of the body, then embalming is not required. A body that is not embalmed must be refrigerated. Very few Drexel Hills, PA funeral homes have refrigeration services on site, so it's a good idea to find out if the funeral home you want to use can accommodate the body without embalming. Funeral homes in Drexel Hills, PA will require you to pay for embalming if you want to have a service that includes a viewing of the body. The funeral director will work with you to arrange a viewing and funeral service. If you will be transporting the body to private property for burial, the funeral home can arrange for transportation of the body.
The Benefits of Working with a Funeral Home
While private, rural funerals are popular in the keystone state, there are benefits of working with Drexel Hills, PA funeral homes. The first benefit is that you will have a professional staff experienced in dealing with funeral arrangements. You can simply relay what type of service you want and let the funeral home handle the arrangements. This will relieve some stress during this grievous time. Another benefit is the funeral home staff will handle all of the necessary paperwork for you. When you opt for a private funeral, it's up to you to handle the filing of the death certificate and contact the social security administration to report the death. Funeral homes in Drexel Hills, PA can easily file the necessary death certificate and contact any agencies that need to be notified of the death.
Funeral homes also have plenty of resources available to help you through the grieving process. Do you have friends or family members who are struggling with accepting and dealing with the death? The funeral home can recommend group or individual therapists and may even staff a part-time therapist for clients. By letting a funeral home handle everything, you reduce stress, are guaranteed that all paperwork is taken care of, and have numerous people to help you through the process.
I found Heritage Cremation when I was calling funeral homes in the area to make cremation arrangements for my brother. The cremation cost was a big concern for me and compared to the other funeral homes I found Heritage Cremations had the best price and the most compassionate staff. I was a bit worried because the cremation services price at Heritage Cremation was so much less than the other cremation services I was quoted, but I have to say the cremation service was beautiful. Visitors actually complimented me on the cremation service, and the kindness of the staff at Heritage Cremation. 
