Obituaries

Juan Medina
B: 1979-06-17
D: 2024-03-05
View Details
Medina, Juan
Andres Albizu Rosado
B: 1949-08-22
D: 2024-03-04
View Details
Albizu Rosado, Andres
Robert Spatz
B: 1954-11-15
D: 2024-03-03
View Details
Spatz, Robert
Maria Hernandez
D: 2024-02-24
View Details
Hernandez, Maria
Louise Dease
D: 2024-02-23
View Details
Dease, Louise
Robert Irey
B: 1950-10-18
D: 2024-02-20
View Details
Irey, Robert
Ignacio Lara-Regalado
B: 1960-08-29
D: 2024-02-20
View Details
Lara-Regalado, Ignacio
Cyrell Ellner Smith
B: 1924-03-04
D: 2024-02-18
View Details
Ellner Smith, Cyrell
Anastacio Gonzalez
B: 1932-05-02
D: 2024-02-17
View Details
Gonzalez, Anastacio
Thomas Gavigan
B: 1946-08-02
D: 2024-02-15
View Details
Gavigan, Thomas
Juan Vargas
B: 1959-05-06
D: 2024-02-14
View Details
Vargas, Juan
Rosa Ortiz-Borelli
B: 1950-12-11
D: 2024-02-13
View Details
Ortiz-Borelli, Rosa
Raymond Hensel
B: 1947-03-05
D: 2024-02-11
View Details
Hensel, Raymond
Miguel Hernandez
B: 1929-08-04
D: 2024-02-11
View Details
Hernandez, Miguel
Buenaventura Aybar
B: 1948-07-22
D: 2024-02-11
View Details
Aybar, Buenaventura
Barry Grim
B: 1946-06-20
D: 2024-02-11
View Details
Grim, Barry
Penny Walker
B: 1960-02-20
D: 2024-02-07
View Details
Walker, Penny
Gladys Williams
B: 1942-03-07
D: 2024-02-06
View Details
Williams, Gladys
Carlos Torres
D: 2024-02-06
View Details
Torres, Carlos
Jaddiel Trinidad Lizardi
B: 2001-08-16
D: 2024-02-04
View Details
Trinidad Lizardi, Jaddiel
Miguel Acevedo
B: 1927-01-18
D: 2024-01-29
View Details
Acevedo, Miguel

Search

Use the form above to find your loved one. You can search using the name of your loved one, or any family name for current or past services entrusted to our firm.

Click here to view all obituaries
Search Obituaries
229 North Fifth St.
Reading, PA 19601
Phone: (610) 373-4500
Fax: (610) 373-8449

The Cremation Process

Cremation has been a part of the human death experience for a very long time. If you would like to understand more about the cremation process we invite you to read this section. We'll also take a look at cremation costs that will help you with your decision.

A Short History of Cremation

According to Wikipedia, cremation dates back at least 20,000 years ago in Australia, while in Europe, there is evidence of cremation dating to around 2,000 B.C. Cremation was common in Ancient Greece and Rome, and it remains a standard practice in India. The practice of cremation faded in Europe by the fifth century and during the Middle Ages, it was primarily used in the punishment of heretics or in response to the fear of contagious diseases. Today, cremation is preferred by more and more people around the world.

The Flame Cremation Process

Traditional cremation is the process of reducing a body at very high temperatures until it is nothing but brittle, calcified bones. These are then processed into what we commonly call ashes. Returned to the family in a temporary urn (or a more personal urn selected by the family), these ashes can be kept, buried, or scattered. Some families even choose to place a loved one's cremated remains in a hand-crafted piece of cremation art.

Author Michelle Kim, in How Cremation Works, details the cremation process: "In modern crematories, the body is stored in a cool, temperature-controlled room until it's approved for cremation. The body is prepared by removing pacemakers, prostheses and silicone implants. The body is then put into a container or casket made out of flammable materials such as plywood, pine or cardboard."

The container is placed in the retort or cremating chamber. It takes anywhere from two to three hours to reduce an average adult to ash. When the cremated remains are cooled, they are processed to a uniformly-sized pebble-like substance and placed in an urn. The funeral director then returns the cremated remains to the family.

Cremation Costs

Cremation typically costs one-third of the cost of a traditional burial. While it's true that cost is a big factor for many families, it's important to remember that cremation is only one part of providing meaningful end-of-life care for a loved one. Coming to terms with the death of a loved one is important and can be achieved with a memorial service. Bringing family and friends together provides everyone with the opportunity to share memories and receive support.

Spend Time with Us

Sit down with us to discuss your cremation options. We appreciate the opportunity to share our insights and experience to fully support you in making end-of-life decisions for you and your family. Call us at (610) 373-4500 to schedule an appointment or drop by our office.

Online Sources:

Wikipedia, "Cremation"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremation