Philadelphia PA Funeral Home and Cremations: Everything You May Need for Pre-planning 

At Compagnola Funeral Home, a family owned and operated establishment, we have been providing funeral services since 1979. We understand that grieving is hard and a funeral arrangement can be costly. But worry no more because our services are affordable. We offer reasonable burial and cremation options for everyone in Philadelphia, PA. We also promise to be there for you during your time of need, providing compassionate care and always guiding you through every step of the process. When it comes to funeral homes, you can trust us to give you and your loved ones the best possible services. We will work with you to create a memorable service that celebrates the life of your loved one. Contact us at 215-324-9002 today to learn more about our services.

If you are in the position of needing to make final arrangements for your upcoming needs with funeral and cremation in Philadelphia, PA, or related to a loved one’s deathcare needs, you will want a trusted professional partner. Finding a comprehensive provider of funerary and cremation services is a huge help since you can coordinate all necessary services through one competent and experienced provider. There are two overall goals with deathcare services—care for the deceased remains for final disposition, and support those mourning the loss.

How Our Firm Provides Funeral and Cremation in Philadelphia, PA 

There are multiple ways to fulfill these goals, and none of them is necessarily better than another. Each unique circumstance may call for different solutions. Our professional team of licensed and trained experts at Compagnola Funeral Home can guide you through the funeral planning process by asking questions and listening to your concerns. Please don’t hesitate to talk to us about your vision and ask any questions of us. Together we can design the final arrangements that will most support you and your loved ones. 

Classic Traditional Burials: Tradition can bring comfort with its familiarity and predictability, especially when facing a difficult time. Laying your departed loved one to rest with a proper traditional burial remains a beautiful option for many families of various backgrounds. Burial ceremonies could be preceded by a visitation event and funeral if desired. It also works wonderfully to hold a service at the burial site if that makes sense in your situation. Burial service can be completed in the ground or an above-ground tomb such as a crypt, mausoleum, or columbaria niche. Full-sized caskets and inurned cremated remains can safely be buried. 

Respect-Filled Cremations: An excellent solution for the disposition of the body is cremation. Cremations are performed for only one individual at a time and are always per legal mandates and ethical best practices. Even though the cremation only takes about two hours in the chamber, there are usually required wait times and permitting procedures that make it safer to plan on the cremation, taking about a week from when it is ordered. 

While awaiting cremation, the body will be carefully stored in a secure, refrigerated locker. This will keep the remains protected from the effects of decomposition, which naturally set in as soon as the body expires. The body can be washed and dressed for the cremation procedure if desired. At the time of the procedure, the body may be placed in a rigid, combustible container called a cremation casket. This casket provides privacy to the deceased and makes handling and loading the body into the chamber easier for the providers.

Once inside the furnace chamber, the body is exposed to scorching heat that will ultimately cause all of the soft tissues to vaporize. Only certain parts of the skeletal system will remain. These bones will undergo further processing to transform them into tiny particles and shards, which are no longer recognizable. The resulting "ashes" will be placed inside an urn and returned to the family for final disposition.

Cost Saving Direct Cremation: The most affordable deathcare solution is usually direct cremation. This means that the cremation procedure will be performed for the individual, but no other honoring ceremonies or goodbye events will be offered at this time. It is simply a means to care for the body quickly and respectfully.

Closure with a Viewing and Cremation: It is possible to combine services for the same person with both a funeral and cremation in Philadelphia, PA. This option offers honoring services and viewing events before the cremation takes place. 

What You’ll Need to Know If You Need International Transport of Human Remains

With the needs surrounding our Spanish community and their frequent need to have the deceased shipped back to their country of ancestral origin, Compagnola Funeral Home has done the work to become a qualified expert regarding the international transport of human remains. That means that we have the expertise and connections to facilitate the repatriation shipping process in a timely and respectful way. 

Our services are readily obtained and coordinated in Readingtown, Allentown, and Lancaster, PA, though we can also help in surrounding areas. We regularly send remains to Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Mexico City. This process should not bring you additional stress—working with an experienced and known shipper can make this much simpler for you. 

An Experienced Firm with Solutions and Compassion for the Situation at Hand

Knowing that the needs surrounding the final arrangements like a funeral and cremation in Philadelphia, PA, may require committed teamwork. The professionals at Compagnola Funeral Home stand united to help you and your family through a tender time. We care for you and your loved ones with compassion and respect. We know how to make things happen even when complex solutions are necessary. Please call us today, and we will readily assist in any way we can. 

Funeral Home and Cremations FAQs

Are You Required to Go to a Funeral Home for Cremation in Philadelphia, PA?

• No, you are not required to go to a funeral home for cremation in Philadelphia, PA. You may be able to arrange for cremation through a funeral home or you can contact a crematory directly. Many families go through a funeral home as it is more convenient and some of them have their on-site crematory. Each has its own regulations, so be sure to ask about any special requirements when making arrangements. 

Can I Touch the Cremation Ashes and Transfer Them to Another Container?

• Yes, you can definitely touch the cremation ashes and transfer them to another container, if you so choose. The funeral director or crematory operator can usually assist you with this, or even do it for you if you prefer. Keep in mind that cremated remains are very fine and can easily be dispersed, so be careful when handling them. At Compagnola Funeral Home, we have a code of ethics we wholeheartedly follow. 

Can Funeral Homes in Philadelphia, PA Dispose of Ashes?



• Yes, funeral homes in Philadelphia, PA are able to dispose of ashes. One option is to scatter the ashes in a special place to the deceased. Another option is to inter the ashes in a graveyard or cemetery. The funeral home will usually work with the family to determine the best way to dispose of the ashes and do some other special things.