Q & A is a section listing answers to many of the most frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions which are not answered here and it is pertaining to cremation or our company, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-720-8221. Select a question below to reveal the answer.

Q. WHAT IS CREMATION?
A. Cremation is the process of returning the body to nature with the use of heat and evaporation. This practice has been in use for centuries, and is accepted worldwide. More and more people from all social, religious, and economic backgrounds are choosing cremation as an alternative to the expensive traditional funeral. In some states, the cremation rate is higher than 60 percent.
Q. IS CREMATION COMPLICATED?
A. No, It is perhaps the easiest way to ensure that your loved ones will not be faced with the burdens associated with a traditional funeral such as selecting a casket or arranging for a viewing.
Q. IS CREMATION AFFORDABLE?
A. Yes' Because of the high overhead involved in the upkeep of funeral homes, traditional funerals often exceed $6,500. What most people do not realize is that cremation costs are significantly less. Through our cremation services, we will perform cremation at a substantially lower cost since embalming and a casket are not required.
Q. CAN CREMATION INCLUDE A MEMORIAL SERVICE?
A. Yes, Auer Cremation Services of Pennsylvania, Inc. can help you plan for any kind of memorial service you desire. The service can be held at a place of worship, a cemetery, your home or another place of your choosing.
Q. IF I WANT CREMATION, MUST I HAVE A COMPLETE FUNERAL?
A. No, If you want a funeral, go to a funeral home. They will do an embalming and sell you a casket. But if what you want is cremation, Auer Cremation Services of Pennsylvania, Inc. is the name to remember. We don't do embalming, and we don't sell caskets.
Q. MUST I BUY A CASKET IF I WANT CREMATION?
A. No, unless the crematory requires one. Very few funeral homes own their own crematory, therefore they are at the mercy of their crematory provider. We have our own crematories and do not require a casket. We do provide a cardboard container for the deceased which is included in our price.
Q. MUST I BE EMBALMED IF I WANT CREMATION?
A. No, Pennsylvania law states that after 24 hours after death, the deceased must be either embalmed or refrigerated. Very few funeral homes have refrigeration. Therefore after 24 hours, most funeral homes may require that the deceased be embalmed. If they do not embalm, then that funeral home may be in violation of the law. We have refrigeration and it is included in the price.
Q. CAN THE DECEASED BE CREMATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEATH?
A. No, Pennsylvania law states that you cannot cremate in the first 24 hours after death.
Q. WHAT PAPER WORK IS REQUIRED BEFORE CREMATION CAN TAKE PLACE?
A. There must be a signed death certificate from either the attending physician or coroner. Once the death certificate has been completed, we must then receive permission to cremate from the county coroner. We also need written permission from the next-of-kin. Once all this has been received, we will then schedule the cremation with the crematory.
Q. HOW DO WE DIFFER FROM THE AVERAGE FUNERAL HOME?
A. Auer Cremation Services of Pennsylvania, Inc. only does cremation. WE DON'T DO FUNERALS! WE DON'T SELL CASKETS! WE DON'T DO EMBALMING! We specialize in CREMATION and CREMATION ONLY! In most cases, we come to the home of the next-of-kin to have paperwork signed. Your family does not have to drive to a funeral home. We have our own crematories! We have refrigeration (with refrigeration, embalming is not required)! We service the entire state of Pennsylvania. Included in our charge, we will transfer your loved one from the place of death to our crematory. FUNERAL HOMES ARE DESIGNED TO DO FUNERALS, WE ARE DESIGNED TO DO CREMATIONS ONLY!