Affordable Funeral services

A funeral service, whether traditional or more modern (memorial service or celebration-of-life), has two functions: to acknowledge the death and lifetime achievements of an individual and to bring grieving family members and friends together in support of one another during this difficult time.

One of our main mission is giving your loved one a final tribute they deserve. Contrary to common belief, funeral services are not all the same. They can take on many different formats and styles. We can plan and execute funeral ceremonies that follow very traditional practices to those that take on less formal, more unique styles. We work with you to create the funeral service that best honors your loved one’s life, allows the best way for you to say goodbye, meets your family's specific wishes, and fits within your financial budget.

We have years of experience in this industry, and we take pride in offering families quality and affordable funeral services in Broomall, Exton and Philadelphia, PA. We hope to help as many families in need as we can as their Pennsylvania funeral service provider, and we promise to help each and every family member heal as they embark on their journey with grief. On this page, we have provided a breakdown of the traditional funeral process included in the services we offer as well as a brief history and overview of what a funeral is.

If you have any questions about our Broomall, Exton and Philadelphia funeral services, please feel free to contact us.

All we need to do is say the word "funeral" and within microseconds, you have an image in your mind of what a funeral looks like. This mental image comes from many sources: the geographical place, culture and society in which we live; our faith; our life experience. Obviously then, a funeral service in Philadelphia would look very different from one held in Tanzania; there are even significant differences between the funerals held in ethnically and/or geographically diverse regions of North America.

Yet, despite the differences, these funeral services have much in common. We invite you to read further to learn the really simple answer to the question "what is a funeral?" Should you have questions about what you read here, we encourage you to call us. One of our funeral professionals will be delighted to explore the commonalities behind the wide spectrum of funeral ceremonies seen around the world.

It's not surprising funerals have been around for a very long time. Composed of three activities, the visitation, the funeral service, and the committal service, performed at the graveside of a local area cemetery; this funeral is the one we'd easily recognize from contemporary literature and film.

The Visitation

Held prior to the funeral, often the night before but sometimes on the same day, the visitation (or viewing) is a time when people come to support the family and, more importantly, pay their respects to the deceased. This often involves stepping up to the casket to view the body; either in the company of a member of the surviving family or on your own.

The Funeral Service

Commonly held in the funeral home or church, the traditional funeral service is led by an officiant of one kind or another; most commonly a pastor or the funeral director. This individual follows a very predictable funeral order of service which includes the singing of hymns; and invocations, Bible recitations, Scripture readings, and prayers led by the officiant.

The Committal Service

This takes place at a local area cemetery, after a slow and respectful automobile procession from the place where the funeral was held. The committal service ends when the casketed remains are lowered into the ground, and final prayers are said.

If you'd like to know more about the history of funerals in the United States, you may like to visit the website of the National Museum of Funeral History. But for now, it's enough to know that a funeral service traditionally has these three distinct components. Now let's look at a celebration of life service.

Funeral Reception

Many choose to host this post-service gathering (or repast) at a reception hall. This is considered a time to share memories, laughter, and support.

For families and individuals living in the Broomall, Exton and Philadelphia regions (as elsewhere in the nation), a funeral service can mean many things. Some fall back on what is commonly called a "traditional funeral"; others see that same traditional service as an emotionally unfulfilling event. Fortunately, thanks to a number of unique social forces, there are alternatives. Today, end-of-life commemorative services range from the traditional funeral, to a memorial service and the increasingly popular celebrations-of-life. If you have yet to realize the immense value of such a collective acknowledgement of loss, reach out to us. Call to speak with one of our experienced funeral service professionals.

A traditional funeral service in Pennsylvania typically involves several key elements. First, there is typically a viewing or visitation where family and friends can pay their respects to the deceased and offer condolences to the family members. This is often held at one of our funeral homes or a local church. Following the visitation, there may be a funeral service held at the same location or a different place of worship. The funeral service typically includes prayers, hymns, and eulogies, as well as readings from scripture or other meaningful passages. Depending on the family's preferences and religious beliefs, there may also be a final blessing or committal service at a local cemetery or crematorium. Throughout the service, our funeral directors and staff assist with various arrangements, such as transporting the deceased, setting up the venue, and coordinating with clergy or other participants in the service. Ultimately, the traditional funeral service in Pennsylvania is an opportunity to honor and remember the life of your loved one, while providing comfort and support to the grieving family and friends.

Both Protestant and Catholic funeral services typically involve prayers, scripture readings, eulogies, and a final blessing or commendation of the deceased. However, there are some key differences between the two services in Delaware and Chester County and throughout the greater Philadelphia region.

In a Protestant funeral service, the focus is on celebrating the life of the deceased and offering comfort to the bereaved. The service may include hymns, prayers, and a sermon or message that highlights the Christian hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Protestant services may also include a time for family and friends to share memories and stories of the deceased.  This is usually held in one of our funeral homes or a local church. 

In a Catholic funeral service, the focus is on praying for the soul of the deceased and offering comfort to the bereaved. The service may include prayers for the dead, readings from the Old and New Testaments, and a homily that reflects on the life and faith of the deceased. Catholic services may also include the recitation of the Rosary or other devotions, as well as the celebration of the Eucharist, if the deceased was a practicing Catholic.  These are usually held in a local Catholic church.  We’re experts at serving Catholics, whether a traditional burial or cremation followed by a Catholic mass is selected.

Both services typically conclude with a final commendation or blessing of the deceased, as well as a time for family and friends to express their final farewells. Ultimately, whether Protestant or Catholic, a Christian funeral service is a time to honor the life of the deceased, comfort the bereaved, and offer hope in the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.