Losing a loved one is never easy, and making decisions about cremation in Pennsylvania can feel overwhelming—especially when you are also managing grief, family expectations, paperwork, and time-sensitive choices. This guide is here to explain your options in clear, plain language so you can make informed decisions with less stress and more confidence.

Throughout this guide, you’ll see links to official Pennsylvania regulations and other reputable sources for key details. This is general information, not legal advice. If you have a question about how a rule applies to your situation, a licensed funeral director or the county coroner’s office can usually clarify next steps.

Cremation Overview in Pennsylvania

Cremation in Pennsylvania is a common choice for families who want flexibility, simplicity, or more control over timing and cost. In many cases, cremation allows you to separate the practical part of care (transportation, paperwork, cremation) from the memorial part (a service, gathering, or celebration of life), which can happen days or even weeks later.

Most families work with a funeral home, cremation society, or provider that coordinates the process. Typically, that includes transportation of the person who died, filing the death certificate, obtaining the required permits and authorizations, scheduling the cremation, and returning the cremated remains (often called “ashes,” although they are processed bone fragments) to the family.

Once cremation is complete, you have options for what happens next. Some families keep the ashes at home in urns, some place them in a cemetery niche or columbarium, some bury them, and others scatter them in a meaningful location (with appropriate permission and planning).

If you are thinking ahead about an urn, Funeral.com offers a range of full size cremation urns for ashes, plus a practical cremation urn size chart to help you estimate capacity in a straightforward way.

Average Cremation Costs in Pennsylvania

Cremation costs in Pennsylvania vary widely by location, provider type, and what’s included. The most important thing to know is that pricing depends on service level (simple vs. more traditional), transportation distance, whether a viewing is included, and third-party fees (such as certified copies of death certificates or county authorization fees). Costs can also vary based on body size and provider policies over time.

As a general benchmark, one Pennsylvania price-survey summary reported an average direct cremation cost of about $2,456 and an average full-service cremation cost of about $6,515 (published February 13, 2025). Pennsylvania cremation cost survey summary

• Direct cremation: Approximately $1,200–$3,500 in many parts of Pennsylvania, depending on provider, transportation, and what is included. Some providers advertise lower package pricing in certain areas (for example, a provider in the Scranton region lists cremation packages starting at $1,395). Scranton Area Cremation Care pricing overview
• Cremation followed by a memorial service: Approximately $3,000–$7,500. This often includes direct cremation services plus facility use, staff time, printed materials, and optional memorial items.
• Cremation with visitation/viewing: Approximately $5,000–$10,500. This typically adds embalming or preparation, viewing/visitation time, facility charges, and the option for a ceremony before cremation.

One practical way to control cremation costs is to request an itemized price list and compare what’s included. Under the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, funeral providers must give consumers accurate, itemized price information and required disclosures. FTC guidance on the Funeral Rule

Cremation Laws and Legal Requirements in Pennsylvania

Cremation laws can feel intimidating, but most families experience them as a set of common-sense safeguards: a waiting period, required authorizations, and a paper trail that helps protect identity and ensure the correct person is cremated.

Waiting Period Before Cremation

Pennsylvania’s regulations include a mandatory waiting period: a body may be cremated after 24 hours have passed from the time of death. 49 Pa. Code § 13.212 (cremation timing)

Care of the Body Before Cremation

If a body is held longer than 24 hours, Pennsylvania regulations require embalming, sealing in an appropriate container, or refrigeration (with certain exceptions for religious belief or medical examination). The same regulation also addresses refrigeration temperature and timing after removal from refrigeration. 49 Pa. Code § 13.201 (professional responsibilities)

Permits for Disposition

Pennsylvania’s Vital Statistics law requires a permit for disposal before a body is disposed of (which includes cremation). In practice, funeral homes and cremation providers typically handle this step as part of the arrangements. Pennsylvania Vital Statistics Law of 1953 (see Section 504)

Authorization to Cremate

Pennsylvania regulations also require obtaining and maintaining written authorization from the family for a cremation. 49 Pa. Code § 13.201 (written authorization requirement)

Who Has the Right to Decide

If there is a disagreement among people with equal standing (for example, multiple adult children), Pennsylvania law provides a framework for how authority is determined, including majority decision-making in some situations and court involvement when necessary. 20 Pa.C.S. § 305 (right to dispose of remains)

Coroner Authorization in Some Cases

Depending on circumstances and county practices, families may encounter a required “cremation release” or disposition authorization connected to the coroner’s process. For example, a Pennsylvania county coroner’s office explains that a release for cremation (or disposition authorization) is required by Pennsylvania code for people whose bodies will be cremated, buried at sea, or otherwise disposed of in a way that makes them unavailable for examination. Example county coroner FAQ on cremation release

Types of Cremation and Service Options in Pennsylvania

Most providers offering cremation in Pennsylvania can support a range of service styles. What changes is not the cremation itself, but how much ceremony and facility time is included around it.

Direct Cremation

Direct cremation is the simplest option. There is no visitation or ceremony with the body present. The provider handles transportation, required paperwork, and cremation, then returns the cremated remains to the family. This is usually the lowest-cost option and is often chosen when families plan to hold a memorial later (or privately).

Cremation Followed by a Memorial Service

This option combines a cremation first with a gathering later—sometimes at a funeral home, place of worship, community hall, or private home. Families often display an urn, photographs, and personal items, and may include readings, music, or military honors. This is a common choice when relatives are traveling from out of state or when families want time to plan something meaningful.

Cremation with Visitation or Viewing

In this approach, families hold a viewing or visitation first, then cremation occurs afterward. This can feel more familiar for families used to traditional funeral patterns. It also tends to increase cost because it may involve preparation, facility use, staffing, and scheduling.

If your family wants a way to keep a small portion of ashes close, some people choose memorial jewelry in addition to (not instead of) an urn. Funeral.com’s cremation jewelry collection includes necklaces, bracelets, and keepsake styles designed for a small amount of ashes.

Cultural Norms and Local Practices Around Cremation in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is culturally and religiously diverse, and there is no single “right” approach to memorializing after cremation. In many communities, families still value a structured service—whether that’s a church service, a funeral home gathering, or a graveside committal—while using cremation for flexibility and cost control.

It is also common for families to combine traditions. Some hold a visitation first, then cremation. Others choose direct cremation and later schedule a celebration of life that feels more personal and less formal. In larger metro areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, families may have easy access to specialized cremation providers, while rural areas may rely on funeral homes that coordinate cremation through a partner crematory.

Scattering is another practice some families consider, especially in places tied to a person’s story—near a favorite outdoor area, family property, or a location connected to important life memories. If you are considering scattering on public land, it is wise to check with the local managing agency and follow respectful, low-impact practices. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes “Leave No Trace” outdoor ethics as a general standard for protecting state parks and forests. DCNR Leave No Trace guidance

How to Choose a Cremation Provider in Pennsylvania

Choosing among cremation providers is often about clarity and trust. The provider you select should be transparent about pricing, respectful in communication, and clear about how they manage identification and custody.

• Ask for an itemized General Price List: The FTC Funeral Rule is designed to help consumers compare services and avoid surprises. FTC Funeral Rule guidance
• Confirm what “direct cremation” includes: Ask whether transportation is included, whether an alternative cremation container is included, and what the ashes are returned in (temporary container vs. urn).
• Ask where the cremation happens: Some providers have an on-site crematory; others use a partner crematory. Either can be appropriate, but you should understand the chain of custody.
• Ask about identification procedures: Providers should be able to describe how they track identity from intake to return of remains, and what steps are taken to prevent errors.
• Clarify timelines: A realistic timeline usually includes permits, authorizations, and scheduling, and Pennsylvania’s 24-hour waiting rule applies. 49 Pa. Code § 13.212
• Discuss service options early: If your family wants a viewing, ask what is required and how it affects cost and timing. Pennsylvania rules also address care of the body when held beyond 24 hours. 49 Pa. Code § 13.201

If you are comparing providers, it can help to decide what matters most first: total budget, speed, the ability to have a viewing, religious or cultural considerations, or help planning a memorial service. Once you know your priorities, it is easier to spot which provider aligns with your needs.

Notable Cremation Providers in Pennsylvania

The list below is not a recommendation or endorsement. It is simply a starting point for research on providers that offer cremation in Pennsylvania. Availability, pricing, and service offerings can change, so confirm details directly with the provider.

• Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care, Pittsburgh area: Offers cremation packages and funeral options with 24/7 assistance. Website: pittsburghcremation.com Phone: 412-787-1800. Provider information
• Cremation and Burial Society of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg: Provides cremation services with planning support and a local office in Harrisburg. Website: cremationofpennsylvania.com (Harrisburg) Phone: 717-910-6507. Provider information
• Philadelphia Cremation Society, Upper Darby (Philadelphia metro): Provides cremation services and planning support with 24/7 assistance. Website: cremationsocietyofphiladelphia.com Phone: 610-572-7078. Provider information
• Philadelphia Crematories, Inc., Philadelphia: Operates a crematory with stated 24-hour phone availability for coordination through funeral providers. Website: philadelphiacrematories.com Phone: 215-708-7747. Provider information
• Corey Brian Strauch Funeral Home & Pennsylvania Cremation Services, Scranton: Offers cremation arrangements and notes an on-site private crematory. Website: pennsylvaniacremationservices.com Phone: 570-843-5190. Provider information
• Scranton Area Cremation Care, Scranton area: Offers online planning and advertises cremation packages starting at $1,395. Website: scrantoncrematory.com Provider information
• Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, Erie: Provides cremation services and maintains a crematory, with multiple Erie-area location details. Website: bruggerfuneralhomes.com Phone: 814-864-4864. Provider information
• Nicos C. Elias Funeral Home, Inc., Allentown: Offers funeral and cremation services and provides a contact number for assistance. Website: allentownfunerals.com Phone: 610-433-2200. Provider information
• Sanders Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Reading: Offers cremation and funeral services with local facilities in Reading. Website: sandersfuneral.com Phone: 610-372-1624. Provider information
• Cremation Services of Lancaster, Lancaster: Provides direct cremation services and aftercare support, with a published “For Immediate Need” contact. Website: cremationlancasterpa.com Phone: 717-CREMATE. Provider information

FAQs About Cremation in Pennsylvania

Important note: Laws, fees, and cremation costs change over time. Always verify details directly with the cremation provider, a local funeral home, the county coroner’s office, and official state or local sources before making final decisions.