Losing someone is heavy. There’s no other way to put it. When you're standing in that middle ground between a loss and the "what comes next," the logistics of a funeral home are probably the last thing you want to navigate. But in a small town like Honesdale, Pennsylvania, these institutions aren't just businesses. They're part of the neighborhood fabric. The Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home Honesdale has been sitting on Main Street since the late 70s, and it’s become one of those landmarks people know but hope they don’t have to visit too often.
Honestly, choosing a funeral home is a weirdly high-stakes decision made at your lowest point. You want someone who knows the local clergy, someone who isn't going to treat you like a line item on a spreadsheet, and frankly, someone who just "gets" the community.
The Local Legacy on Main Street
Arthur A. Bryant himself has been a licensed funeral director since 1979. Think about that for a second. That’s nearly half a century of seeing people through their worst days. In a place like Honesdale, that kind of longevity matters. You’ve likely walked past the building at 1228 Main Street a thousand times—it’s right across from the Shell station.
It’s a family-run vibe, which is getting rarer. A lot of funeral homes these days are being swallowed up by giant corporations that manage hundreds of locations from some high-rise in another state. Bryant has stayed independent. The proprietor is Arthur A. Bryant, and the team includes folks like John H. Galloway II, who has been licensed since 2005. They also have a bereavement counselor, Edward R. Howell, on staff. Having an actual counselor involved is a nice touch because, let's be real, the paperwork is only half the battle. The mental weight is what usually sinks people.
📖 Related: Will the US ever pay off its debt? The blunt reality of a 34 trillion dollar problem
Why People Choose Bryant Funeral Home Honesdale
What makes one funeral home different from the one three blocks away? Usually, it's the specific nuances of how they handle the "unspoken" stuff.
- Veterans Services: This is a big one. They handle the coordination for military honors, which can be a total bureaucratic nightmare for a grieving family to handle on their own.
- The Monument Aspect: Unlike some places that just outsource everything, they have a dedicated monument representative. If you want a specific type of granite or a custom etching, they handle that in-house.
- Cremation Guidance: There’s a lot of misinformation about cremation. People think it’s just "one size fits all," but Bryant’s team walks people through the options—whether you want a full viewing beforehand or just a simple, direct cremation.
- Location Convenience: Being right on Main Street means it’s accessible. They even provide detailed directions for people coming from the NY/NJ metro area or up from Philly, which is common for families who have moved away but want to bring their loved ones "home" to Honesdale.
The Reality of Costs and Planning
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the money. Funerals are expensive. Period.
One of the things Bryant focuses on is "pre-planning." It sounds morbid to plan your own funeral, I know. It’s a bit like writing a will—you don't want to do it, but you do it so your kids aren't arguing in a parking lot about whether you wanted lilies or roses while they're also trying to process that you’re gone.
👉 See also: Pacific Plus International Inc: Why This Food Importer is a Secret Weapon for Restaurants
Basically, pre-planning lets you lock in costs and make the hard choices while you’re thinking clearly. Jane A. Case, the business manager there, handles a lot of the logistical side of this. They try to keep things transparent, which is vital because nobody likes "surprise" fees when they're already emotionally drained.
What People Often Get Wrong About the Process
People often assume that if you choose cremation, you can’t have a traditional service. That’s just not true. You can still have a wake, a viewing, and a full church service if that's what feels right.
Another misconception? That you have to use the first funeral home you call. You don't. You should feel comfortable with the director. You’re trusting these people with a family member. If you walk into a place and it feels cold or "salesy," leave. The folks at Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home Honesdale tend to lean into that "hometown" feel. They’re neighbors. They see you at the grocery store. That accountability keeps the service level high.
✨ Don't miss: AOL CEO Tim Armstrong: What Most People Get Wrong About the Comeback King
Grief is a Long Game
The service ends, the flowers wilt, and everyone goes back to their lives—except you. This is where the bereavement support comes in. Having Edward Howell as a dedicated counselor is a legitimate resource. Most funeral homes might give you a brochure and a "sorry for your loss." Having someone who specializes in the "journey of grief" (as they call it) is a different level of care.
They also handle the little things that feel impossible when you're grieving, like writing the obituary or coordinating with the local papers. If you've ever tried to write a life story in 300 words while crying, you know how hard that is. They take that off your plate.
What to Do Right Now
If you're currently in the middle of a loss or just trying to get your ducks in a row for the future, here is the best way to move forward:
- Gather the vitals: You’ll need the person’s full legal name, social security number, and any military discharge papers (DD-214) if they served.
- Call (570) 253-0260: This is the direct line to the home on Main Street. They’re available 24/7 because, unfortunately, these things don’t happen on a 9-to-5 schedule.
- Ask for a General Price List (GPL): By law, they have to give you this. It breaks down every cost so you can see exactly where the money is going.
- Visit the facility: Go to 1228 Main Street. See if the atmosphere feels right. It’s okay to "shop around" for a funeral home; in fact, it’s smart.
Don't feel rushed. Even in a crisis, you have a few hours to breathe and make a choice that feels respectful to the person you lost. Whether it’s a traditional burial at a local Honesdale cemetery or a modern celebration of life, the goal is the same: saying goodbye without the added stress of logistics.