Cremation Services in Pennsylvania

Compare 449 cremation providers across 1,802 cities. Average direct cremation: $2,300.

$2,300 Avg. Direct Cremation
52% Cremation Rate
449 Providers Listed
76,552 Est. Cremations/Year

Cremation Laws in Pennsylvania

Waiting Period

24 hours

Alkaline Hydrolysis

Not yet legalized

Human Composting

Not yet legalized

Scattering Ashes

Permitted on private land with owner consent; no specific state restrictions

Additional Notes

Body may be cremated at any time after 24 hours beyond the time of death. Coroner or medical examiner must authorize cremation in certain cases.

Cremation Cost Breakdown in Pennsylvania

Typical price ranges for cremation services in Pennsylvania

ServiceLowAverageHigh
Direct Cremation Basic cremation with no ceremony. Includes transportation, paperwork, cremation, and return of remains in a simple container. $1,265 $1,955 $2,760
Cremation Memorial Cremation followed by a memorial service at the funeral home or other venue. May include a viewing before cremation. $4,140 $5,750 $7,360
Cremation Viewing Full-service cremation with visitation/viewing, funeral ceremony, and cremation. Requires embalming and casket rental. $5,060 $6,900 $9,200
Transport Transfer of remains from place of death to the cremation facility. Often included in package pricing. $345 $575 $920
Urn Basic Simple container for cremated remains. Ranges from a basic cardboard box (often included) to a modest urn. $46 $115 $345
Urn Premium Handcrafted or designer urn in materials like bronze, marble, ceramic, or hardwood. $230 $460 $1,150
Death Certificate Certified copies of the death certificate. Most families need 5-10 copies for insurance, banking, and legal purposes. $12 $23 $46
Traditional Burial Full traditional burial including casket, embalming, viewing, ceremony, burial plot, vault, and headstone. Shown for cost comparison. $8,050 $10,350 $13,800

The Cremation Process in Pennsylvania

Step-by-step guide to cremation in Pennsylvania

1

Obtain a Death Certificate

When a death occurs in Pennsylvania, a physician or medical examiner must sign the death certificate. The funeral home or cremation provider typically handles filing with the Pennsylvania vital records office. Order 8-12 certified copies ($23-$46 each) - you'll need them for insurance claims, bank accounts, and legal matters.

2

Choose a Cremation Provider

Compare providers in Pennsylvania - our directory lists 449 across the state. The FTC's Funeral Rule requires all providers to give you an itemized General Price List over the phone or in person. Direct cremation in Pennsylvania averages $2,300, but prices range from $1,265 to $2,760.

3

Complete Authorization

Pennsylvania requires written authorization from the next of kin or legal representative before cremation can proceed. There is a 24 hours mandatory waiting period after death. The medical examiner or coroner must also approve the cremation in most cases.

4

Transportation & Preparation

The cremation provider will transport the deceased from the place of death (hospital, home, nursing facility) to their facility. In Pennsylvania, transportation typically costs $345-$920. For direct cremation, no embalming is required. If a viewing is planned, embalming may be necessary.

5

The Cremation Process

The cremation takes place in a specialized chamber called a cremation retort at 1,400-1,800°F. The process takes 2-3 hours. Afterward, the remains are processed into a fine powder (cremains) weighing 3-7 pounds.

6

Receive the Cremated Remains

Cremated remains are returned to the family within 3-10 business days, typically in a basic container or urn. In Pennsylvania, you can keep the remains at home, inter them in a cemetery columbarium, scatter them following state guidelines, or choose a memorial option like a cremation garden or reef burial. Scattering rules: Permitted on private land with owner consent; no specific state restrictions

Cremation vs. Burial in Pennsylvania

Cost Comparison

Direct cremation in Pennsylvania: $1,265-$2,760. Traditional burial: $8,050-$13,800. Cremation is typically 60-80% less expensive. Even full-service cremation with a ceremony costs significantly less than burial.

Environmental Impact

Cremation uses fewer land resources than burial. Traditional burial involves embalming chemicals, a casket, and a concrete vault. Alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) is an emerging greener option.

Flexibility

Cremation offers more flexibility for memorial services - they can be held anytime, anywhere, without the time pressure of traditional burial. Families can split remains among multiple urns, scatter in meaningful locations, or create memorial products. 52% of Pennsylvania families now choose cremation.

Timeline

Pennsylvania requires a 24 hours waiting period before cremation. Traditional burial typically occurs within 3-7 days. Cremation can happen within 1-5 days after the waiting period, and memorial services can be planned at any later date.

Cremation Providers in Pennsylvania

200 providers listed

Dean-Geitner-Givnish Funeral Home

Philadelphia, PA

7900 Oxford Avenue

Dinan Funeral Home

Philadelphia, PA

1923 Spring Garden Street

Foley Funeral Home

Philadelphia, PA

1156 Cottman Avenue

Galzerano Funeral Home

Philadelphia, PA

9304 Old Bustleton Avenue

Koller Funeral Home

Philadelphia, PA

6835 Ridge Avenue

O'Neill-Boyle Funeral Home

Philadelphia, PA

309 East Lehigh Avenue

Philadelphia Crematories

Philadelphia, PA

7350 State Road

Visconto Funeral Home

Philadelphia, PA

2031 Vista Street

Williams & Palmer

Philadelphia, PA

7103 Woodland Avenue

Beinhauer

Pittsburgh, PA

2630 West Liberty Avenue

Griffith Funeral Home

Pittsburgh, PA

5636 Brownsville Road

Hahn Funeral Home

Pittsburgh, PA

123 North Avenue

John A. Freyvogel, Incorporated

Pittsburgh, PA

4900 Centre Avenue

Laughlin Memorial Chapel

Pittsburgh, PA

222 Washington Road

Rex T. Smith Funeral Home

Pittsburgh, PA

2860 Perrysville Avenue

Slater & Sons

Pittsburgh, PA

301 Virginia Avenue

Slater Funeral Home

Pittsburgh, PA

1650 Greentree Road

Thomas L. Neid Funeral Home

Pittsburgh, PA

7441 Washington Avenue

Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes

Allentown, PA

1639 Hamilton Street

J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home

Allentown, PA

1601 Hamilton Street

Jesse Johnson Funeral Home

Allentown, PA

426 Hanover Avenue

K.V. Knopp Funeral Home

Allentown, PA

46 East Susquehanna Street

Kohut Funeral Home

Allentown, PA

950 North Front Street

O'Donnell Funeral Home

Allentown, PA

908 Hanover Avenue

Stephens Funeral Home, Inc.

Allentown, PA

274 North Krocks Road

Weber Funeral Home

Allentown, PA

502 Ridge Avenue

Weber Funeral Homes

Allentown, PA

1619 Hamilton Street

Aumans Inc. Funeral Home

Reading, PA

390 West Neversink Road

Kuhn Funeral Home

Reading, PA

739 Penn Avenue

Brugger Funeral Home & Crematory

Erie, PA

845 East 38th Street

Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory

Erie, PA

1595 West 38th Street

Burton Funeral Home

Erie, PA

3801 West 26th Street

Dusckas Funeral Home

Erie, PA

536 West 10th Street

Dusckas Funeral Home & Cremation

Erie, PA

2607 Buffalo Road

Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home And Crematory

Erie, PA

4216 Sterrettania Road

Dusckas-Taylor Funeral Home

Erie, PA

5151 Buffalo Road

Edward J. Garr Funeral Home

Erie, PA

459 East 12th Street

Erb & Good Family Funeral Home

Erie, PA

171 King Street South

G.R. Bailey Funeral Home

Erie, PA

4396 Iroquois Avenue

John R. Orlando Funeral Home

Erie, PA

2122 Raspberry Street

Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory

Erie, PA

2502 Sassafras Street

Quinn Funeral Home, Inc.

Erie, PA

728 West 9th Street

Smith Funeral Chapel

Erie, PA

689 Norfolk Street North

McGoff-Hughes Funeral Home

Scranton, PA

1401 Capouse Avenue

Patrick F Guido Funeral Home

Scranton, PA

120 South Main Avenue

Vanston & James Funeral Home

Scranton, PA

1401 North Irving Avenue

Cantelmi - Long Funeral Home

Bethlehem, PA

500 Linden Street

Cantelmi Funeral Home

Bethlehem, PA

1311 Broadway

Connell Funeral Home

Bethlehem, PA

245 East Broad Street

Downing Funeral Home

Bethlehem, PA

1002 West Broad Street

James Funeral Home

Bethlehem, PA

527 Center Street

John F. Herron Funeral Home

Bethlehem, PA

458 Center Street

Pearson Funeral Home

Bethlehem, PA

1901 Linden Street

Hoover Funeral Home & Crematory

Harrisburg, PA

6011 Linglestown Road

Jesse H. Geigle Funeral Home

Harrisburg, PA

2100 Linglestown Road

Beck Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc.

York, PA

3670 East Market Street

Mauk & Yates Funeral Home

Altoona, PA

719 North 4th Avenue

Koch Funeral Home

State College, PA

2401 South Atherton Street

Boyd-Horrox-Givnish Funeral Home

Norristown, PA

200 West Germantown Pike

Boron Funeral Home

Bethel Park, PA

Henney Memorial Chapel

Bethel Park, PA

5570 Library Road

Earl L. Foster Funeral Home

Chester, PA

1100 Kerlin Street

Hunt Irving Funeral Home

Chester, PA

925 Pusey Street

Lewis M. Hunt-Irving Funeral Home

Chester, PA

407 East 9th Street

Christman's Funeral Home, Inc.

Lebanon, PA

226 Cumberland Street

DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, Inc.

West Chester, PA

25 South Worthington Street

Donohue Funeral Home - West Chester

West Chester, PA

1627 West Chester Pike

Founds Funeral Home

West Chester, PA

299 South High Street

Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home

Phoenixville, PA

610 South Main Street

Edward Moskal Funeral Home

Johnstown, PA

79 J Street

Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc.

Johnstown, PA

710 Broad Street

Henderson Funeral Home

Johnstown, PA

215 Central Avenue

Moskal & Kennedy

Johnstown, PA

Gilbert Funeral Home, Inc.

Whitehall, PA

444 Pershing Boulevard

Park Forest Crematory Services

Whitehall, PA

313 Catasauqua Avenue

Bacha Funeral Home

Greensburg, PA

516 Stanton Street

Barnhart Funeral Home

Greensburg, PA

505 East Pittsburgh Street

Harris Mountain Funeral Home

Coatesville, PA

1030 East Lincoln Highway

Corcoran Funeral Home

Kingston, PA

20 South Main Street

Hugh E Boyle and Son

Kingston, PA

420 Wyoming Avenue

Karl E Blight

Kingston, PA

392

Simon S. Russin Funeral Home

Kingston, PA

136 Maffett Street

Snowdon Funeral Home

Kingston, PA

420 Wyoming Avenue

Yeosock Funeral Home

Kingston, PA

40 South Main Street

James E. Humphrey Funeral Home

Pottsville, PA

1112 West Market Street

Schlitzer-Allen-Pugh Funeral Home

Pottsville, PA

515 West Market Street

McCune Funeral Home

Mountain Top, PA

80 South Mountain Boulevard

Bowersox Memorials

Waynesboro, PA

29 Walnut Street

Grove - Bowersox

Waynesboro, PA

50 South Broad Street

Lochstamphor

Waynesboro, PA

Davis-Dinelli Funeral Home

Nanticoke, PA

170 East Broad Street

Kearney Funeral Home

Nanticoke, PA

173 East Green Street

Reichel Funeral Homes, Inc.

Northampton, PA

326

Schisler Funeral Home

Northampton, PA

Naugle Funeral Home

Quakertown, PA

Malpezzi Funeral Home

Mechanicsburg, PA

McIlvaine Mundy

Bala Cynwyd, PA

Emil J. Ciavarelli Family Funeral Home

Conshohocken, PA

516 Fayette Street

Bock Funeral Home

Glenshaw, PA

Neely Funeral Home

Glenshaw, PA

2208 Mount Royal Boulevard

Victor M. Ferri Funeral Home

Old Forge, PA

522 Fallon Street

Sheetz Funeral Home

Mount Joy, PA

16 East Main Street

Cullis Memorials

Brookhaven, PA

3525 Edgmont Avenue

Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home

Doylestown, PA

2335 Lower State Road

Varcoe Thomas Funeral Home

Doylestown, PA

344 North Main Street

Neill Funeral Home

Camp Hill, PA

3401 Market Street

Donohue Funeral Home

Downingtown, PA

43 West Lancaster Avenue

James J. Terry Funeral Home

Downingtown, PA

736 East Lancaster Avenue

Mascho Funeral Home

Bradford, PA

75 Kennedy Street

Gubiotti Funeral Home

Pittston, PA

1030 Wyoming Avenue

H Merritt Hughes

Pittston, PA

Schmoyer Funeral Services

Breinigsville, PA

8926 Brookdale Road

Furman Home for Funerals

Leola, PA

59 West Main Street

Kenworthy Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.

Gettysburg, PA

66 East Hanover Street

Farrow Funeral Directors

Shamokin, PA

240 West Chestnut Street

James Kelley Funeral Home

Shamokin, PA

1001 West Arch Street

Leonard J. Lucas Funeral Home

Shamokin, PA

120 South Market Street

Stephen A. Chowka Funeral Home

Shamokin, PA

114 North Shamokin Street

Lamar Christ Funeral Home

Tamaqua, PA

31 Mahanoy Avenue

O'Leary Funeral Home

Clifton Heights, PA

Williams Lombardo Funeral Home

Clifton Heights, PA

33 West Baltimore Avenue

Burkett-Truby Funeral Home

Oakmont, PA

Allegheny Avenue

Logan Funeral Home

Lionville, PA

698 East Lincoln Highway

Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc.

Catasauqua, PA

234 Walnut Street

Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home

Clairton, PA

1701 Route 51

Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Hellertown, PA

1418 Main Street

Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc.

Hellertown, PA

326 Main Street

Lehigh Valley Crematory Services

Hellertown, PA

301 Front Street

All Cities in Pennsylvania

Cities with cremation providers or population over 10,000

Erie 21 providers Pittsburgh 16 providers Mc Kees Rocks 12 providers Philadelphia 11 providers Wilkes Barre 11 providers Allentown 9 providers Bethlehem 8 providers Kingston 7 providers Scranton 5 providers Harrisburg 5 providers Johnstown 5 providers Nanticoke 5 providers Bala Cynwyd 5 providers West Chester 4 providers Shamokin 4 providers Hellertown 4 providers York 3 providers Chester 3 providers Pottsville 3 providers Waynesboro 3 providers Glenshaw 3 providers Pittston 3 providers Tamaqua 3 providers Punxsutawney 3 providers Tyrone 3 providers Lehighton 3 providers Shenandoah 3 providers Frackville 3 providers Du Bois 3 providers Harborcreek 3 providers Reading 2 providers State College 2 providers Norristown 2 providers Bethel Park 2 providers Phoenixville 2 providers Whitehall 2 providers Greensburg 2 providers Sharon 2 providers Bloomsburg 2 providers Emmaus 2 providers Mountain Top 2 providers Northampton 2 providers Canonsburg 2 providers Conshohocken 2 providers Doylestown 2 providers Downingtown 2 providers Bradford 2 providers Clifton Heights 2 providers Clearfield 2 providers Stroudsburg 2 providers Plymouth 2 providers New Holland 2 providers Mount Carmel 2 providers Palmerton 2 providers Coraopolis 2 providers Bridgeville 2 providers Minersville 2 providers Hamburg 2 providers North East 2 providers Zelienople 2 providers Irwin 2 providers Mahanoy City 2 providers Ebensburg 2 providers Wyoming 2 providers Girard 2 providers Homestead 2 providers Bedford 2 providers Curwensville 2 providers Ashland 2 providers Mcadoo 2 providers Bentleyville 2 providers Jermyn 2 providers Brodheadsville 2 providers Duncannon 2 providers Clymer 2 providers Morrisville 2 providers Davidsville 2 providers Milford 2 providers Delaware Water Gap 2 providers New Ringgold 2 providers Ingomar 2 providers Saint Clair 2 providers Lancaster 1 provider Altoona 1 provider Lebanon 1 provider Pottstown 1 provider Mckeesport 1 provider Hermitage 1 provider Coatesville 1 provider Broomall 1 provider Berwick 1 provider Woodlyn 1 provider Oil City 1 provider Quakertown 1 provider Mechanicsburg 1 provider Carbondale 1 provider Old Forge 1 provider Mount Joy 1 provider Brookhaven 1 provider Carnegie 1 provider Camp Hill 1 provider Lock Haven 1 provider Palmyra 1 provider New Cumberland 1 provider Breinigsville 1 provider Leola 1 provider Souderton 1 provider Gettysburg 1 provider Ambridge 1 provider Huntingdon 1 provider Oakmont 1 provider Lionville 1 provider Catasauqua 1 provider Red Lion 1 provider Richboro 1 provider Clairton 1 provider Bellefonte 1 provider Franklin 1 provider Dickson City 1 provider Paoli 1 provider Kennett Square 1 provider Media 1 provider Gilbertsville 1 provider Olyphant 1 provider Duquesne 1 provider Schuylkill Haven 1 provider Turtle Creek 1 provider Birdsboro 1 provider Manheim 1 provider Duryea 1 provider Edinboro 1 provider Telford 1 provider New Freedom 1 provider Jenkintown 1 provider Jim Thorpe 1 provider Slatington 1 provider Boyertown 1 provider Farrell 1 provider Chalfont 1 provider Danville 1 provider Monongahela 1 provider Lansford 1 provider Fleetwood 1 provider Northumberland 1 provider Pennsburg 1 provider Mifflinburg 1 provider Coplay 1 provider Nesquehoning 1 provider Schnecksville 1 provider East Greenville 1 provider Summit Hill 1 provider Mount Pocono 1 provider Lake City 1 provider Mohnton 1 provider Ford City 1 provider Hyde Park 1 provider Manchester 1 provider Towanda 1 provider Philipsburg 1 provider Wernersville 1 provider Kulpmont 1 provider West Newton 1 provider Reynoldsville 1 provider Millersburg 1 provider Verona 1 provider Coopersburg 1 provider Brockway 1 provider Leechburg 1 provider New Wilmington 1 provider Robesonia 1 provider Berlin 1 provider Greenock 1 provider Emporium 1 provider Glen Lyon 1 provider Port Carbon 1 provider Trevorton 1 provider Tremont 1 provider Nescopeck 1 provider Mill Hall 1 provider Chadds Ford 1 provider Saxonburg 1 provider Tower City 1 provider Mount Wolf 1 provider Elizabethville 1 provider Terre Hill 1 provider Williamstown 1 provider Centre Hall 1 provider Hiller 1 provider Troy 1 provider Lawrence 1 provider Tatamy 1 provider Factoryville 1 provider Sykesville 1 provider Shinglehouse 1 provider Knox 1 provider Renovo 1 provider New Philadelphia 1 provider Sheffield 1 provider Chicora 1 provider Riegelsville 1 provider Benton 1 provider East Brady 1 provider Houtzdale 1 provider Ringtown 1 provider Nicholson 1 provider Martins Creek 1 provider Big Run 1 provider Noxen 1 provider Great Bend 1 provider Ravine 1 provider Jamestown 1 provider Dayton 1 provider Joffre 1 provider Slatedale 1 provider Coalport 1 provider West Elizabeth 1 provider Marianna 1 provider Finleyville 1 provider Dunlevy 1 provider Schellsburg 1 provider Townville 1 provider Rehrersburg 1 provider Karns City 1 provider Aston 1 provider Bausman 1 provider Buckingham 1 provider Cedars 1 provider Cheltenham 1 provider Cranberry 1 provider Cresco 1 provider East Springfield 1 provider Fogelsville 1 provider Fountainville 1 provider Hunlock Creek 1 provider Lafayette Hill 1 provider Loysville 1 provider Mc Grann 1 provider Mcgees Mills 1 provider North Springfield 1 provider Orefield 1 provider Parkhill 1 provider Penfield 1 provider Pleasant Unity 1 provider Renfrew 1 provider South Park 1 provider Southampton 1 provider Ulster 1 provider Valley View 1 provider Wallingford 1 provider Warrington 1 provider Wexford 1 provider White Deer 1 provider Wildwood 1 provider Levittown Hazleton Drexel Hill Monroeville Easton Williamsport King Of Prussia New Castle Chambersburg Allison Park Murrysville Carlisle West Mifflin Lansdale Hanover Horsham Indiana Hershey Ephrata Willow Grove Ardmore Butler Washington Meadville Montgomeryville New Kensington Elizabethtown Lansdowne Darby Columbia Croydon

Cremation Planning Checklist for Pennsylvania

VA National Cemeteries in Pennsylvania

Eligible veterans and their spouses can receive free burial or columbarium placement at national cemeteries

Allegheny Cemetery Soldiers' Lot

4734 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Ashland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot

630 South Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013

Indiantown Gap National Cemetery

60 Indiantown Gap Road, Annville, PA 17003

Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot

62nd Street and Kingsessing Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19142

Mount Moriah Cemetery Soldiers' Lot

62nd Street and Kingsessing Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19142

National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017

Philadelphia National Cemetery

Haines St. and Limekiln Pike, Philadelphia, PA 19138

Prospect Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot

700 North George Street, York, PA 17404

Washington Crossing National Cemetery

830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does cremation cost in Pennsylvania?

The average direct cremation in Pennsylvania costs approximately $2,300, which is above the national average of $1,924. Prices typically range from $1,495 to $3,220 depending on the provider and services selected. Full-service cremation with a memorial ceremony can cost $5,750 to $8,050. We recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers in your area.

What percentage of people choose cremation in Pennsylvania?

Approximately 52% of families in Pennsylvania choose cremation, which is below the national average of 62%. This translates to roughly 76,552 cremations per year in the state. The cremation rate has been steadily increasing nationwide and is projected to reach 82% by 2045.

How many cremation providers are there in Pennsylvania?

Our directory currently lists 449 cremation and funeral service providers across Pennsylvania, serving 1,802 cities and towns. Providers range from large funeral home chains to independent local cremation societies. We recommend contacting multiple providers to compare pricing and services.

What is direct cremation in Pennsylvania?

Direct cremation is the most affordable cremation option in Pennsylvania, typically costing $1,495 to $2,300. It includes transportation of the deceased, necessary paperwork, the cremation itself, and return of the cremated remains in a basic container. There is no viewing, visitation, or funeral ceremony before the cremation. Families can hold a memorial service separately at any time.

Is cremation cheaper than burial in Pennsylvania?

Yes, cremation is significantly more affordable than traditional burial in Pennsylvania. Direct cremation averages $2,300, while a traditional burial with casket, vault, and cemetery plot typically costs $10,350 or more. Even a full-service cremation with a ceremony is usually 40-60% less expensive than a traditional burial. Cost savings is the number one reason families choose cremation.

Is there a waiting period for cremation in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania requires a 24 hours waiting period after death before cremation can take place. This waiting period allows time for the medical examiner to review the death certificate and for the family to make final arrangements. Additional time may be needed if the death requires investigation by the medical examiner.

Are alternative cremation methods available in Pennsylvania?

Currently, Pennsylvania primarily offers traditional flame cremation. Alternative methods like alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) and natural organic reduction (human composting) are being legalized in an increasing number of states. As of 2026, alkaline hydrolysis is legal in 28 states and human composting in 14 states. Check with local legislators and providers for the latest status in Pennsylvania.

How does cremation cost compare to household income in Pennsylvania?

With a median household income of $72,627 in Pennsylvania, the average direct cremation cost of $2,300 represents about 3.2% of annual household income. This is roughly in line with the national average. Many providers offer payment plans, and some states have assistance programs for low-income families.