IN Canon-Mac Fall 2018 | Page 25

SPONSORED CONTENT BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SPONSORED CONTENT SALANDRA FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES – EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS T he funeral profession is changing with the times, and Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services is staying ahead of the pack to ensure that you receive the best services for your departed loved ones and can celebrate their lives rather than worry about the details. With an onsite Tribute Center, a banquet-style facility that can hold up to 60 people and includes a kitchenette, restroom and television, Salandra is a rarity in the funeral industry, where families typically have to travel offsite for after-service brunches or meals. “The building used to be our funeral arrangement office, but state law dictates that you aren’t permitted to have any food in a funeral home,” said owner Joseph A. Salandra. “That actually worked out well for us, because we brought the offices into the funeral home and converted that building to a higher and better use for our patrons. We don’t rent it out to the general public — it’s strictly for people who use our facilities after funerals and during visitations, at no cost.” The space also serves as an area where families can hold celebrations of life. Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services has Darla Tripoli on staff, who not only is a licensed funeral director, but a certified celebrant as well. She can facilitate any celebration of life that a family could imagine, personalizing every detail to what the deceased loved one would have wanted. “Being dedicated to serving everyone in our area within their budget and wishes, some may want to have a celebration of life instead of a traditional visitation at a funeral home,” explained Salandra. “Many want to have people speak about their loved ones and hold that celebration in a less formal setting. We’ve been ahead of that curve and can customize your funeral arrangements whether you want a celebration of life or a traditional visitation.” Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services also offers pre-need arrangements with cremation rates as low as $38 a month, and burial rates as low as $70 a month. By preplanning your funeral arrangements, you not only get to have your voice heard in regards to what kind of funeral you would like to have, you also relieve your remaining loved ones of having to scramble in a time of grief to make these choices. And, if you’re a snowbird or world traveler, Salandra offers a “return assured” policy that will pay for the return of your remains should you pass away 100 miles or more from home. “People have been very conscientious about their pre-planning needs,” Salandra said. “They want to do things their way and we’ve seen our preplanning numbers triple over the last few years. We also try to help out our veterans and first responders as much as possible, helping them out with cost and whatever services they may need.” In addition to being a business owner since 1981, when he took over the funeral home that has been in operation since 1933, Salandra has always been active in the community, serving as a Knight of Columbus, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, serving on the library board and being co-chair of the Canonsburg Bicentennial celebration in 2002. For more information on Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, including inquiring about your pre- need wishes, go to the websites at www.salandrafunerals.com or call 724.745.8120. It is located in the heart of Canonsburg at 304 West Pike Street, 15317. “THE REMEMBRANCES TRIBUTE CENTER IS A NEWLY RENOVATED SPACE, CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEXT DOOR TO THE FUNERAL HOME THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES WE SERVE AS A HOSPITALITY SPACE FOR FOOD, BEVERAGES AND SOCIALIZING BETWEEN VIEWING HOURS AND FOR FUNERAL LUNCHEONS.” CANON-MAC ❘ FALL 2018 23