Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., is the only Jewish family owned and operated funeral home in the Greater Pittsburgh area. We specialize in providing traditional services for Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative, Orthodox, or non-religious beliefs, but we are honored to assist families of any faith and cultural background.
At Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., we understand that planning a cremation can be an overwhelming experience, and our goal is to offer support and assistance to help you navigate this process with care and understanding. We can accommodate your needs and make arrangements in person at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., at your local home, through Zoom, or on the phone.
No matter what method is used to make arrangements, here are some key points to consider:
In Pennsylvania, the vital statistics needed for certified copies of the death certificate include the legal residence, social security number, birthplace, father’s first and last name, mother’s first and maiden name, highest level of education, and occupation for most of working life. If a veteran, you will need to bring a copy of their DD-214 to receive military honors and benefits.
During the arrangements, we will discuss your family’s wishes to have a service before or after the cremation, including the location of the service, Rabbi or other officiating clergy, and religious traditions such as taharah and shiva. For those seeking a less traditional service, we welcome families to personalize the funeral to honor their loved one’s memory, by including photos, a video, or special honors from the military or another organization. We will also discuss your plans for after the cremation, such as purchasing an urn to display at home, burying the cremated remains in a cemetery, or other options.
Once we finalize cremation details, you can decide if you want to write an obituary for the newspaper(s) and/or our website. You may choose to write something beforehand and share it during the arrangements, or we can work with you to write the obituary.
Please remember to bring the social security number, clothing (if desired), a photo for the obituary, names and details to include in the obituary, and military discharge paperwork (the DD-214) if requesting military honors or benefits.
Funeral costs can vary significantly. We will work with your budget to develop a poignant remembrance within your means. Payment is due by the day of the service, but if you are in need of financial assistance, let us know and we will discuss options.
It’s crucial to communicate with family members and loved ones to ensure that everyone’s wishes and preferences are taken into account. Collaborate with siblings, children, parents, and others to create a meaningful funeral that honors the life and memories of your loved one.
We hope that this information provides you with valuable insights into the process of making funeral arrangements. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to honor a loved one. It’s about creating a meaningful farewell that celebrates their life and provides comfort and closure for those left behind.
Every family is different, and not everyone wants the same type of cremation. Cremation practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions, costs and personal preferences. These factors help determine whether the cremation service will be elaborate or simple, public or private, religious or secular, and where it will be held.
During the arrangements conference, you will need to select one of the following types of cremation service:
Families who prefer not to have any service or gathering can select a Direct Cremation, which will lead to an immediate cremation, once the vital statistics have been gathered, the doctor has signed the cause of death, and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has authorized the cremation.
A Full Service Cremation includes the use of our facilities (including our chapel), staff and equipment for a service with one hour of visitation. The service can be held before the cremation, with your loved one present in a rental casket, or a memorial service can be organized after the cremation. The service can take place at a Temple, Synagogue, or other religious facility for an additional fee.
Matthews jewelry is the perfect memento to honor a loved one. Crafted from high-quality metals including Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel, 14k & 18k Gold Plated Sterling Silver, 18k Gold Plated Brass, and 19k Gold IP Stainless Steel, out exquisite collection of both classic and contemporary pieces meant to last a lifetime. Many families choose to purchase identical jewelry items for each family member so they too can have a lasting and special remembrance.
We uncompromisingly honor your loved one. We take your loved one’s personal carbon and grow a beautiful Radiant Diamond.
Our Personal Expressions Jewelry and Keepsakes™ offer highly personalized, laser etched pieces to remember a loved one through photo, fingerprint, text, or handwriting. Most jewelry items available in 6 metals: Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel, 14k Yellow Gold, 14k White Gold, 14k Rose Gold, and Platinum. Memorial Keepsakes are available in Stainless Steel. Sterling Sliver and Stainless Steel items typically ship within 1-3 days of proof approval; please allow 4-6 weeks for Premium Metals.
With JB Glass Studio’s Ashes in Glass mementos, you can keep a small part of someone you love in a beautiful piece of jewelry or keepsake.
Material: Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel with Cast Brass antler in a camo finish.
Material: Marble
Natural stone urn offers the elegance and beauty combined with the visual interests of color and texture variety.
Material: Onyx
Natural stone in purple onyx offers the elegance and beauty combined with the visual interests of color.
Payment in full is expected by the funeral service. For your convenience we accept cash, checks and credit cards. If using a credit card, a processing fee will be added to the Cash Advance portion of your statement. Verified insurance policies and Estates are also acceptable forms of payment, but may incur an additional fee for delayed payment.
General Price List
Urn Price List
