Obituaries

Clyde Kauffman
B: 1932-04-30
D: 2023-03-23
View Details
Kauffman, Clyde
Rosemary Hornberger
B: 1926-12-24
D: 2023-03-21
View Details
Hornberger, Rosemary
Earl Guyer
B: 1925-01-14
D: 2023-03-16
View Details
Guyer, Earl
Warren Grupe
B: 1933-12-27
D: 2023-03-12
View Details
Grupe, Warren
Donald Jackson
B: 1934-12-25
D: 2023-03-08
View Details
Jackson, Donald
Ronald Stong
B: 1942-03-26
D: 2023-03-08
View Details
Stong, Ronald
Norma Strawser
B: 1934-10-02
D: 2023-03-06
View Details
Strawser, Norma
Gail Griffin
B: 1939-06-14
D: 2023-03-06
View Details
Griffin, Gail
Ruth Mingle
B: 1948-12-10
D: 2023-03-02
View Details
Mingle, Ruth
Donna Shelley
B: 1932-08-03
D: 2023-02-28
View Details
Shelley, Donna
Ray Miller
B: 1929-04-10
D: 2023-02-24
View Details
Miller, Ray
Tracy Waite
B: 1953-07-15
D: 2023-02-22
View Details
Waite, Tracy
Robert Berry
B: 1931-07-20
D: 2023-02-20
View Details
Berry, Robert
Mary Hart
B: 1953-03-05
D: 2023-02-19
View Details
Hart, Mary
Furman Dalton
B: 1972-05-08
D: 2023-02-19
View Details
Dalton, Furman
Tina Teague
B: 1969-07-20
D: 2023-02-17
View Details
Teague, Tina
Norma Master
B: 1943-06-21
D: 2023-02-14
View Details
Master, Norma
Ray Oberlin
B: 1938-12-05
D: 2023-02-13
View Details
Oberlin, Ray
Wilma Dietz
B: 1930-10-02
D: 2023-02-09
View Details
Dietz, Wilma
Roger Potter
B: 1958-02-20
D: 2023-02-05
View Details
Potter, Roger
Kathy Kraft
B: 1950-07-10
D: 2023-01-27
View Details
Kraft, Kathy

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
100 Bridge St.
Mifflintown, PA 17059
Phone: 717-436-6252
Fax: 717-436-6912

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 717-436-6252 to schedule an appointment or drop by our office.

Online Sources:

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