Business Details
About
Funeral Home
At James J. Terry Funeral Home, Inc., we do, indeed, try to offer you a home, a comforting and inviting place to gather in remembrance and celebration of lives lived well. Our experienced staff is committed to this vision and passionate about making your time with us as memorable and uplifting as possible. We bring together decades of experience caring for families of all cultural backgrounds and diverse walks of life. We pledge to treat you and your loved ones just like family, and we guarantee to offer services that meet all of your specifications while exceeding all of your expectations. Licensed staff members are available around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to discuss your needs. Whether you are doing pre-planning or need to hold a service soon, we are ready to answer our phone and offer you warm, friendly, and empathetic service. Learn more about our funeral services.
Location
James J. Terry Funeral Homes - Downingtown
736 East Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA
19335, United States
Hours
Reviews
5.0
114 reviews
5 stars
114
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
What are people saying?
AI-generated from recent customer reviews
Compassionate Care
Customers consistently praised the staff for their compassion, kindness, and support during difficult times, making the funeral planning process more manageable.
Professionalism
The staff demonstrated high levels of professionalism and attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of the service was handled with care and respect.
Guidance and Support
Many reviews highlighted the staff's ability to guide families through the funeral process, providing clear explanations and accommodating requests without pressure.
Community Connection
The funeral home is recognized for its strong ties to the community, with many families expressing gratitude for the ongoing support and follow-up after services.
- AFAnne FearnsideDec 12, 20255.0James J Terry handled the services for our loved one. They were extremely professional throughout the entire process. During such a hard time for our family they handled all of the hard things and were compassionate and supportive.
- SPStephen PrettiDec 10, 20255.0The staff here was truly compassionate and supportive during a very difficult time. They guided us through the cremation process with clarity and care, handling every detail professionally and respectfully. Their kindness made a painful experience easier to navigate, and we’re deeply grateful for their help.
- EKElaine KindlDec 2, 20255.0James J Terry is the most caring and still efficient funeral home! They care for you and your family jtst like they are part of yours.
- EHEric HoweNov 14, 20255.0The entire staff was very compassionate, caring and professional . Kathleen walked us through the entire process and was always available for questions. They took care of everything so our family could focus on other things and not have to worry about missing any details. I would highly recommend them for this difficult process.
- JWJAM 331 WASHNov 14, 20255.0All of the staff at the funeral home are wonderful. They are always very caring, compassionate and go above and beyond to make sure all of our needs are met. Planning a funeral for loved one is one of the most difficult things and they make the process as easy as possible. We have used them on a number of occasions. I highly recommend them.
Frequently Asked Questions About James J. Terry Funeral Homes - Downingtown
What kind of service should I have?
You can choose from a variety of funeral service types and formats. Some people think that funerals must conform to traditional ways, but there is no one right way to have a funeral. Just as grief has many dimensions and is experienced in different ways by different people, funerals are also unique. A funeral should simply be fitting for the person who died and the family and friends who survive. This is an opportunity to be creative and to share an honest expression of your most heartfelt values. There are no rigid rules that need to be followed, but there are guidelines that can help you if you are unsure how you might proceed.
What will happen to my loved one's body?
Your family must choose not only the type of funeral service to hold but also what will happen to the body and where it will be laid to rest.
Embalming is how the funeral home temporarily preserves the body of the person who died so it can be viewed by the family. Embalming also allows a number of days to elapse before burial and cremation, thus giving family and friends time to prepare and gather for the funeral.
The body of the person who died is the most important symbol to include in the funeral service. Whether present in an open or unopened casket, the body serves as the emotional focus for mourners and helps them acknowledge and embrace their pain. When a body or cremated remains are buried or scattered, there is a “place” for families to go when they want to feel close to their loved one.
Families who have spent time with the body have said it has helped them come to terms with the death and begin to transition from life before the death to life after the death. Although it can be emotionally painful, time spent with the body is often helpful to many people.
What happens during cremation?
Cremation is another form of disposition or handling a body after death. However, many people don't know what happens during cremation. Cremation takes place in a carefully maintained facility known as a crematory or crematorium. Within the crematory is a special cremation chamber. The body is placed in a cremation container or casket and positioned inside the cremation chamber. Once the container or casket is in the cremation chamber, the door is tightly sealed. The operator then turns on gas jets, which create intense heat that reduces the body to bone fragments. This process takes approximately 2-3 hours.
After the cremation, the remains are collected and processed to the consistency of sand or a finer ash. The white or grayish remains, often called cremated remains at this stage, are then sealed in a transparent plastic bag along with an identification tag. The bag weighs about 5 lbs. and will often be returned to the family in a selected urn, which can then be buried, placed in a niche inside a columbarium, taken home or transported for scattering. Additionally, the cremated remains can be separated and placed into multiple urns, keepsakes or even jewelry specifically designed as a final resting place. Cremation is a respectful, dignified process chosen by many families. However, some faiths discourage or prohibit cremation. If you plan to hold a religious funeral ceremony or have the remains buried in a church cemetery, check in advance to make sure there are no issues.
What does a Funeral Director do?
Pick up the deceased and transport the body to the funeral home (anytime day or night)
Notify proper authorities, family and/or relatives
Arrange and prepare death certificates
Provide certified copies of death certificates for insurance and benefit processing
Work with the insurance agent, Social Security or Veterans Administration to ensure that necessary paperwork is filed for receipt of benefits
Prepare and submit obituary to the newspapers of your choice
Bathe and embalm the deceased body, if necessary
Prepare the body for viewing including dressing and cosmetizing
Assist the family with funeral arrangements and purchase of casket, urn, burial vault and cemetery plot
Schedule the opening and closing of the grave with cemetery personnel, if a burial is to be performed
Coordinate with clergy if a funeral or memorial service is to be held
Arrange a police escort and transportation to the funeral and/or cemetery for the family
Order funeral sprays and other flower arrangements as the family wishes
Provide Aftercare, or grief assistance, to the bereaved
What types of funeral services does James J. Terry Funeral Homes offer?
James J. Terry Funeral Homes offers a variety of funeral service types and formats tailored to honor the unique needs of the deceased and their families, allowing for creative and heartfelt expressions without rigid rules.
What happens to the body of a loved one after death at James J. Terry Funeral Homes?
Families choose what will happen to the body, including embalming for preservation, preparation for viewing, and final disposition such as burial or cremation, with the goal of providing emotional support and a meaningful place to remember their loved one.
Can you explain the cremation process at James J. Terry Funeral Homes?
Cremation involves placing the body in a cremation chamber where intense heat reduces it to bone fragments, which are then processed into ash and returned to the family in an urn or other keepsake; the process lasts about 2-3 hours and respects various religious considerations.
What services does a Funeral Director provide at James J. Terry Funeral Homes?
The Funeral Director handles pickup and transportation of the deceased, notifies authorities and family, arranges paperwork and death certificates, prepares the body, assists with funeral arrangements, coordinates with clergy and cemetery, orders flowers, and provides grief support.
What are the operating hours of James J. Terry Funeral Homes?
James J. Terry Funeral Homes is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including on Federal Holidays.
How can I contact James J. Terry Funeral Homes?
You can contact James J. Terry Funeral Homes by phone at +1 610-269-6567 or email them at wecare@jamesterryfuneralhome.com.
What payment options are accepted at James J. Terry Funeral Homes?
They accept AMERICAN EXPRESS, CASH, DISCOVER, MASTERCARD, and VISA as payment options.
What nearby services can assist with funeral or memorial preparations?
Nearby services include Lake Scrafford Memorials for memorial products and the Law Office of John H. Kiefel for legal services related to wills and estates which can complement funeral preparations.
Are there nearby religious organizations that can participate in funeral services?
Yes, Downingtown Friends Meeting and Downingtown United Methodist Church are nearby religious organizations that can be contacted for funeral or memorial services and support.
What local healthcare providers near James J. Terry Funeral Homes might assist families during their time of need?
Nearby healthcare providers include Health Network Laboratories, Thomas Suspenski PT ATC for physical therapy, and Your Next Step for podiatry and sports medicine, offering medical support to families as needed.