Art Kunkle and Bill Curran

The loss of a loved one is difficult at best, but today Curran Funeral Homes help families find comfort through a personalized funeral process. The traditional visitation (or viewing) often focuses on the person who has died, but celebrating the loved one’s life with videos recalling fond memories of their life played during the visitations eases the grieving process. This exclusive service is included as part of Curran’s funeral services.

Personalization of funeral services has made Curran Funeral Homes known as a forerunner of innovative services to help families through their grieving time. In addition to the videos that come with a complimentary DVD for the family, they print Memorial Folders with the loved one’s photo on the cover, offer a White Dove Release and Grief Support Group meetings several times a year and for the holidays. According to Art Kunkle and Bill Curran, Owners, these services are very much appreciated by the families. They stated 80% of funerals at Curran use the videos and 75% use the White Dove release service.

These personalized services are the hallmark of Curran Funeral Homes. Founded by Gary P. Curran (deceased) in 1975, the Curran Funeral Homes have continued to grow in the past 29 years. The former Shaffer Funeral Home in Apollo was sold to Curran in 1992. A new combined funeral home was built named Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home at 100 Owens Avenue at Route 56 in Kiski Township. Two years prior to this, he purchased the Hunter Funeral Home in Saltsburg and renamed it to the Curran Funeral Home. In 1998, Gary Curran purchased the Brady-Cline Funeral Home in Vandergrift, and renamed it the Brady-Curran Funeral Home. He also purchased the Cline Funeral Home in Leechburg and renamed it Curran Funeral Home. Growth has not come just by acquisition. With the personalized services, more and more people are selecting Curran Funeral Homes.

Another important service for families is the pre-arranged funeral. This service allows the entire funeral for yourself or a loved one to be planned in advance and paid for. Doing this ease a person’s grieving process, eliminates those difficult decisions at a death, and helps families economically by paying at today’s cost. Pre-arranged funerals allow the payment to be invested and the earned interest covers future increased costs.

Curran Funeral Home

When loved ones leave us there are legal and financial matters that must be addressed. As part of Curran’s services, they will help handle Social Security, Veteran’s Benefits, Railroad Retirement, Pension death claims, death certificates and life insurance. One can see that funeral homes include much more than just burying the dead. They play an important role in helping families deal with death, walk through the grieving process and handle difficult circumstances.

At the time of this interview, Art Kunkle, President, told us that Curran Funeral Home is establishing a Crematory. Cremation is increasingly becoming a choice for funerals. In 1960 only one in 25 chose cremation while one in five now choose it. It is projected that one in three will chose cremation over a burial by 2010. By adding this service, Curran is continuing to follow their tradition of being forerunners.

Funeral homes are known for their care of families when death occurs. Curran Funeral Homes exemplifies this with a passion for excellence even in the smallest of details. Art Kunkle, President, who joined Curran in 1983, is a native of this area. He understands the traditions and sensitivities that are important to each funeral. With Bill Curran, they both have set a high standard in funeral services.

Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home, Inc. 100 Owens View Avenue, Apollo, PA 15613 Phone: 724-478-1244; Fax: 724-478-3560 Arthur R. Kunkle, Jr. President www.curranfuneralhome.com" class="hft-urls">http://www.curranfuneralhome.com">www.curranfuneralhome.com

See the Video Interview.