Planning a funeral is, honestly, the hardest thing you'll ever do. It’s a blur of grief and paperwork. Most people in the Bucks County area end up looking at Dunn Givnish Funeral Home because they’ve seen the sign in Langhorne for years or their neighbors used them back in the nineties. But here is the thing: the funeral industry has changed a lot lately. It isn't just about dark rooms and heavy silence anymore.
Life celebration. You hear that term everywhere now.
Basically, the Givnish family has been doing this since around 1928. That is a long time to stay in business. They aren't just a single building; they are part of a larger network of homes across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Specifically, the Dunn Givnish location on Bellevue Avenue in Langhorne has this weirdly comforting, old-school feel that clashes—in a good way—with their modern approach to services.
Why the "Givnish" Name is Everywhere
If you live in Northeast Philly or Bucks County, you've seen the name. It’s like the Wawa of funeral homes, but way more somber. The Dunn Givnish branch specifically caters to the Langhorne community. Why does that matter? Because local matters when you’re trying to coordinate a funeral procession through narrow PA streets or need a florist who actually knows where the side entrance is.
People often get confused about the "Dunn" part. Historically, many family-owned homes merged or were acquired to stay afloat as the industry consolidated. The Givnish family kept the local names to honor that heritage. It’s a business move, sure, but it also preserves the history of the 19047 zip code.
What Actually Happens Inside Dunn Givnish Funeral Home?
Most people think you just walk in, pick a casket, and leave. Not really. When you step into Dunn Givnish Funeral Home, the process usually starts with "The Arrangement."
It’s a heavy conversation.
🔗 Read more: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessing Over Maybelline SuperStay Skin Tint
You’re sitting in a room, probably exhausted, and someone is asking you about "Life Celebration" packages. This is where the Givnish brand tries to differentiate itself. They don't just want to talk about death; they want to talk about the person’s hobbies. Did your uncle love the Phillies? They’ll suggest putting a jersey in the room or playing the fight song. It sounds a bit much when you’re grieving, but for a lot of families, it breaks that stifling "funeral" atmosphere.
The Logistics of a Modern Service
The facility itself handles everything from traditional viewings to more contemporary memorial services. They have the space for a crowd, which is a big deal in Langhorne. Some of those older houses turned funeral homes are cramped. This one has a bit more breathing room.
- Traditional Burial: This is the standard. Embalming, a viewing, a church service or a service at the home, and then the procession to the cemetery.
- Cremation with a Twist: They offer "Life Celebration" memorials even if you choose cremation. You can have the urn present with a full photo gallery and personalized music.
- Video Tributes: They take those old dusty photos and turn them into a digital slideshow. It’s pretty standard now, but they’ve been doing it longer than most.
The Cost Factor (The Part Nobody Likes Talking About)
Let’s be real. Funerals are expensive.
If you look at the General Price List (GPL)—which, by the way, they are legally required to give you under the FTC Funeral Rule—you'll see that costs add up fast. You have the professional services fee (the "non-declinable" part), the transportation of the body, the preparation, and the use of the facilities.
At Dunn Givnish Funeral Home, you’re paying for a brand and a level of service. You can find cheaper "direct cremation" spots in a strip mall, but you aren’t getting the chapel or the staff to coordinate the chaos. Honestly, you're paying for someone else to handle the logistics so you can just sit there and cry.
Breaking Down the Fees
- Professional Service Fee: This covers the funeral director’s time. They coordinate with the cemetery, the florist, and the newspaper for the obituary.
- Casket or Urn: This is where the price swings wildly. You can spend $1,000 or $10,000.
- Cash Advances: These are fees the funeral home pays on your behalf—like the permit for the grave opening or the honorarium for a priest or minister.
Why "Life Celebration" Isn't Just Marketing Speak
You might think "Life Celebration" is just a fancy way to say "funeral." Sorta. But it’s actually a specific philosophy they’ve leaned into. They are part of a national network of Life Celebration providers. This means they focus on "storytelling."
💡 You might also like: Coach Bag Animal Print: Why These Wild Patterns Actually Work as Neutrals
Think about it this way.
A traditional funeral is about the loss. A life celebration is about the "dash"—that little line on the tombstone between the birth date and the death date. They use props. If the person was a baker, there might be flour and rolling pins. If they were a biker, there might be a Harley parked near the entrance. It sounds borderline kitschy to some, but it genuinely helps people process the fact that a life was actually lived.
The Impact on Grief
Psychologists often talk about the importance of "meaning-making" in grief. According to the Journal of Loss and Trauma, rituals that reflect the personality of the deceased can actually help survivors move through the acute stages of mourning more effectively. By focusing on the person’s unique traits, Dunn Givnish Funeral Home helps families move away from the clinical reality of death and toward the emotional reality of a person's legacy.
Practical Steps If You're Planning Right Now
If you are reading this because you just lost someone, I am sorry. It sucks.
Here is what you actually need to do next if you're looking at Dunn Givnish Funeral Home or any place in Bucks County.
Call them immediately. They have staff on call 24/7. They will send a vehicle to wherever the person passed away. This is the "First Call."
📖 Related: Bed and Breakfast Wedding Venues: Why Smaller Might Actually Be Better
Gather the paperwork. You’re going to need the Social Security number, the birth certificate, and any discharge papers if they were a Veteran (to get those sweet VA benefits like a free headstone or burial in a National Cemetery like Washington Crossing).
Set an appointment. Don't just show up. Set a time to meet with a director. Bring a friend who isn't as emotional as you are. They can be your "logic filter" when you're being asked if you want the velvet-lined casket or the crepe-lined one.
Think about the "extras." Do you want a luncheon? A specific song? A police escort? The Givnish team is good at the details, but you have to tell them what you want.
Making the Decision
Ultimately, choosing a funeral home is about trust. You are handing over someone you love to strangers. The Givnish family has built a massive reputation in Pennsylvania by being consistent. They aren't the cheapest, but they aren't some fly-by-night operation either.
Check the reviews, sure, but also just walk in. If the vibe feels too corporate for you, look elsewhere. If you want a place that feels like a well-oiled machine that can handle 200 people without blinking, this is usually the spot.
Actionable Next Steps for Families:
- Check for Pre-Arrangements: Before you spend a dime, dig through the deceased's files. Many people in Langhorne pre-paid for their services years ago.
- The "Two-Person Rule": Never go to the arrangement meeting alone. Grief makes you a bad consumer. Bring someone who can ask, "Is that fee absolutely necessary?"
- Request the GPL: Ask for the General Price List via email before you even walk in the door. It gives you a chance to look at the numbers when you aren't under the pressure of a face-to-face meeting.
- Identify the "Must-Haves": Decide if a viewing is actually what the family needs. If everyone is flying in from out of town, maybe a memorial service two weeks later at a different venue is more practical.
Funeral planning is a series of small, exhausting decisions. Take them one at a time. The staff at Dunn Givnish Funeral Home are there to facilitate, but you are the one in charge of how your loved one is remembered.