For families who choose cremation, the morning of the service still has a chapel, and a procession, and an order, and a meaning. Only the disposition changes.
About forty percent of the families we serve now choose cremation — a number that has roughly tripled since 1995. Some choose it because they have always known they wanted it. Some choose it because their parents told them to. Some choose it because the family is scattered across three states and wants the cremated remains to travel home in a way that a traditional burial cannot. We do not have an opinion about which choice is right. We have an obligation to make whichever you choose feel like the choice that was made with care.
What is included
- Care
- Refrigeration and care of the deceased on our premises until the cremation
- Permits
- Filing of all permits, the death certificate, and notifications to Social Security and the VA where applicable
- Cremation
- Witnessed cremation in our on-premises crematory; the family may be present by appointment
- Return
- Return of the cremated remains in a temporary container, hand-delivered to the family at the chapel
- Service
- A memorial service in our chapel, if the family chooses; with all of the planning, music, and support of a traditional funeral
- Urns
- From $295 in our catalog, or the family may supply their own. Pre-1900 family urns are welcome.
An on-premises crematory
The cremation does not happen at a regional facility two counties away. It happens on the same property where the chapel stands, in the same building where the family came for visitation. The crematory has operated continuously on this site since 1974, when James Hartwell II installed it against his accountant's advice.
The reason James gave for that decision is the reason we still operate it ourselves: a family that has placed their loved one in our care should know who handled the cremation, where it took place, and when. The certificate comes from our hand to yours.
Witness cremation, in which one or more family members are present in the crematory chamber room before the cremation begins, is available by appointment at no additional charge. We will explain the process, walk you through the equipment, and stand with you for as long as you wish.
You will know who handled the cremation, where it took place, and when. The certificate comes from our hand to yours.
How is cremation different from a traditional funeral?
It usually isn't, in the parts that matter most. The visitation, the chapel service, the eulogy, the procession to the cemetery if there is to be a committal of the cremated remains — most families who choose cremation hold them all. The casket is replaced by a rental casket for the visitation in some cases, by an urn or photograph in others. The reception that follows the service is the same. The grief is the same.
What does change: the timing flexibility. A cremation can be done within a few days of the death, allowing distant family members to travel in for a memorial service held a week, a month, or several months later. Some families find this an enormous gift.
Pricing
Direct cremation — cremation without a chapel service, suitable for families who plan to hold a private gathering elsewhere — begins at $1,895. A full service with cremation typically runs $4,400 to $6,800 depending on the selections (casket, music, flowers, transportation, programs, urn). Our complete General Price List is posted in the front parlor and is available to download below; there is no obligation to disclose any personal information to receive it.
↓ Download our General Price List [PDF]
Frequently asked questions
Can a chapel service still be held with cremation?
Yes — the chapel service is the same. The presence or absence of a casket changes only the visual focus, not the program.
How long does the cremation take?
The cremation itself is approximately two to three hours. The full process — including refrigeration before, processing of remains afterward, and return to the family — typically takes seven to ten days from the time of death.
Can the family be present?
Yes, by appointment. We will guide you through what to expect and stand with you throughout. There is no additional charge.
What can be done with cremated remains?
They can be buried at a cemetery (we coordinate with all four New Castle cemeteries), interred in a columbarium niche, scattered (with appropriate permits), kept at home, divided among family members in keepsake urns, or made into memorial jewelry. The choice is yours; we are happy to walk through the options.