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Celebrating life

The Delaware Valley Cremation Center offers a new way to honor the life of lovedĀ ones.

Honoring their memory: The Delaware Valley Cremation Center, 7350 State Road, works with hundreds of local families annually. Last November, owner Bill Sucharski opened The State Room, an event center that allows family and friends to honor, remember and celebrate the life of their loved one. Photos: Bill Sucharski

Bill Sucharski has been in the cremation business for 26 years, starting at the Frankford Arsenal Business Center, then moving in 2001 to his current facility at 7350 StateĀ Road.

The Delaware Valley Cremation Center, located just north of Cottman Avenue, performs about 2,500 cremations a year and works with some 350 families.

ā€œItā€™s growing every year,ā€ Sucharski said.

Since opening in 1991, Sucharski has seen a major shift in attitudes regarding funeral service, as cremation has surpassed casketed burial as the predominant choice of Americans.

After several years of planning, Sucharski last November opened The State Room, a 5,500-square-foot event center connected to the main facility.

The new room allows family and friends to honor, remember and celebrate the life of their lovedĀ one.

ā€œThis is a new, unique service you canā€™t get anywhere else,ā€ Sucharski said. ā€œPeople love it. Itā€™s not stuffy. They can remember the good times. Itā€™s all been well received.ā€

Any time prior to the cremation, the immediate family and close family and friends have the opportunity to view the deceased in the chapel. Then, there will be a memorial tributeĀ service.

In The State Room, the memorial tribute gathering can last for up to four hours and include a parking attendant, two liaisons, bartender and a piano player. Thereā€™s catered food, a private video tribute booth, DVD display of up to 100 images on six big-screen televisions, personally selected music, Facebook group creation, Chalkboard Wall and e-tribute digital guest signature collection system.

The price is provided up front, and Sucharski said the fee can be a lot less than a cemetery plot andĀ casket.

ā€œWe do everything to make it special,ā€ Sucharski said.

The State Room is also available for wedding services and receptions and graduation and birthdayĀ parties.

But the bulk of the business is cremations and the life celebrations in The State Room. Most customers come from Philadelphia and Lower BucksĀ County.

In talking to folks whoā€™ve used The State Room, the verdict is unanimous. Theyā€™ve loved the experience.

Casey Richardsonā€™s mom, Pattie, died in June. Caseyā€™s uncle had been cremated at the State Road facility, and her mom wanted to be cremated, too. More than 100 people celebrated Pattie Richardsonā€™s life in The StateĀ Room.

ā€œItā€™s absolutely beautiful. It really, truly is a beautiful place,ā€ her daughterĀ said.

Shameka Bowserā€™s mom, Sylvia Thompson, died in June. Family members used Delaware Valley Cremation Center in the past, and Bowser scheduled her momā€™s celebration in The State Room. About 75 people attended. Bowser had a positive experience, noting that a special touch was the pre-printed address labels provided for thank-you notes.

ā€œItā€™s absolutely gorgeous. Itā€™s a beautiful space, and they were very accommodating. No hidden fees,ā€ Bowser said of the room and staff. ā€œI wanted to have a celebration of the life of my mother, not a funeral. We talked about all the goodĀ times.ā€

Raul Malveiroā€™s dad, Flavio, died last November. A coworker who attended a celebration for a friend recommended The State Room. About 50 people attended Flavio Malveiroā€™s service, which his son described as ā€œwonderful.ā€ The deceasedā€™s pastor conducted an hour-long service, and his son said staff were attentive to every detail. It was the perfect sendoff for a man who moved his family away from the strife of Portugal in 1968 and worked many years as a tailor in theĀ U.S.

ā€œI fell in love with the place. It was clean and professional looking. When you walk in, itā€™s amazing the way everything is laid out,ā€ Raul Malveiro said. ā€œThe service was very nice. Everything was professional.ā€

When Joy Sheehan learned in March that her 22-year-old nephew and godson, Michael Popielarski, had died at home while his parents were away, she wanted his body in a safeĀ place.

ā€œThey were the first ones I called,ā€ she said of Delaware Valley Cremation Center.

Sheehan and her family used the center for the cremations of her dad and aunt. The parking attendants did a good job handling the 100-plus people who attended her nephewā€™s celebration. She described it as ā€œone great party for him.ā€ Grateful Dead music played, the roses and urn were in tie-dye, and there was a fish flower arrangement, all in honor of his love for fishing and theĀ Dead.

ā€œWhen something happens, call Del Val,ā€ Sheehan said. ā€œThey held our hands through the wholeĀ thing.ā€

Nancy Popielarski, Michaelā€™s mom, thanked center staffer Jay McGee for his hospitality. The celebration included some of her sonā€™s favorites, such as wings from Curranā€™s Irish Inn and pizza from PizzaĀ City.

ā€œWe threw him a party like heā€™d throw for himself, instead of a luncheon,ā€ she said. ā€œEveryone had a good time, as funerals go, and the staff went all out for us. The staff couldnā€™t have beenĀ nicer.ā€

For more information, call 215ā€“543ā€“9113 or go to www.delvalcremation.com/the-state-room ā€¢ā€¢

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