Death is heavy. It's the one thing nobody really wants to talk about until they absolutely have to, and by then, your brain is usually a fog of grief and paperwork. When you're looking into Mays Funeral Home Glenside, you aren't just looking for a building. You're looking for a hand to hold. It’s about finding a place that understands the specific rhythm of Montgomery County and the neighborhoods spanning from North Hills to Abington.
Honestly, the funeral industry has changed a lot lately. It’s not just about dark rooms and heavy organ music anymore. People want something that actually feels like the person they lost.
The William R. May Funeral Home has been a fixture in the Glenside community for a long time. It’s located right on Easton Road, a stone's throw from the Keswick Theatre. That matters. Location isn't just about GPS coordinates; it’s about being part of the local fabric. When a business has been in the same spot for decades, they know the local parishes, they know the flower shops around the corner, and they know the shortcuts to the local cemeteries like Holy Sepulchre or Hillside.
Why Experience Matters in Glenside
There is a certain comfort in longevity. The May family has been operating this firm since the mid-20th century. Specifically, William R. May started the business with a focus on a "homelike" atmosphere. That sounds like a marketing trope, but in Glenside, it’s a reality. Most of the homes in this area are older, stately, and full of character. The funeral home mimics that. It doesn't feel like a cold, sterile corporate office.
You’ve probably seen those giant corporate-owned funeral conglomerates. They buy up local spots but keep the old family name on the sign. It’s sneaky. But Mays is one of those places that has managed to remain family-owned and operated. This is a big deal for people who want to talk to an owner, not a regional manager.
Dealing with loss is messy.
One day you’re planning a birthday, the next you’re picking out a casket or an urn. It’s jarring. The staff at the Glenside location—and their second spot in North Wales—tend to handle the "unspoken" stuff. That means the social security notifications, the veterans' benefits, and the tiny details in the obituary that you’d likely forget while you’re crying in the kitchen at 2:00 AM.
Navigating Services at Mays Funeral Home Glenside
The range of services here covers the whole spectrum. You have the traditional stuff. Viewings. Church services. Graveside prayers. But there’s a growing shift toward cremation and "celebration of life" events. Glenside is a diverse pocket. You have people who want the full, formal Catholic funeral mass at St. Luke the Evangelist and others who want a casual gathering with photos and stories.
Costs are the elephant in the room. Always.
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Nobody likes talking about money when someone dies, but ignoring it makes it worse. A standard traditional funeral in the Philadelphia suburbs can easily run between $7,000 and $12,000 once you factor in the casket, the vault, and the professional fees. Mays Funeral Home Glenside is generally transparent about their General Price List (GPL). By law, they have to be. You can ask for it. You should ask for it.
Modern Cremation Options
Cremation is no longer the "alternative" choice; for many families in Montgomery County, it's the primary choice. It offers flexibility. You can do a direct cremation with no service, which is the most budget-friendly. Or, you can have a full viewing with a rented casket followed by cremation.
The Mays team handles the logistics of the crematory process, which is actually quite regulated in Pennsylvania. There are permits. There are waiting periods. There are specific forms that must be signed by the next of kin. Having a local director guide you through the paperwork prevents those annoying legal hiccups that can delay a memorial.
Sometimes families choose to hold a service weeks or months later. This is becoming a huge trend. It allows out-of-town relatives to book flights without the "emergency" price tag. The funeral home can facilitate these delayed memorials, providing the space and the staff to make it feel official even if the burial happened weeks prior.
The Reality of Pre-Planning
Pre-planning is the greatest gift you can give your kids. Period.
It sounds morbid to sit down and pick your own casket while you're perfectly healthy. It is. But it’s also incredibly practical. When you pre-arrange with a place like Mays Funeral Home Glenside, you are essentially locking in today’s prices for a future event. Inflation hits the funeral industry just like it hits the grocery store.
There are two ways to do this:
- Pre-funded: You put the money into a trust or an insurance policy. The funeral home keeps the record. When the time comes, the bill is mostly or entirely covered.
- Information only: You just tell them what you want. No money changes hands. It’s just a file in their cabinet that says "I want 'Spirit in the Sky' played at my wake and I want a blue casket."
If you don't do this, your family is left guessing. "Did Dad want to be buried or cremated?" "Did he like this cemetery?" These questions cause arguments. Arguments during a wake are the worst.
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Community Ties and Reputation
Glenside is a tight-knit place. If a funeral home treats people poorly, word spreads fast at the local diners or on the community Facebook groups. The reason you see the May name on so many local sponsorships—from Little League to community events—is because they are rooted there.
The directors, like the late William R. May or the current generation of the family, often live in the same neighborhoods they serve. They see you at the supermarket. That creates a level of accountability you just don't get with a chain.
They also handle specialized services. For instance, if a veteran passes away, there are specific honors involved. Taps. The folding of the flag. Coordination with the Washington Crossing National Cemetery. These aren't things you want to DIY. You need someone who has the phone numbers of the honor guards on speed dial.
What to Do When a Death Occurs
The first 24 hours are a whirlwind. If someone dies at home and is not under hospice care, you have to call 911 first. If they are in a hospital or nursing home, the facility handles the initial pronouncement.
After that, you call the funeral home.
Whether it's 3:00 AM on a Tuesday or noon on Christmas Day, they pick up. They will arrange for the "transfer" of your loved one to their facility. This is the moment where reality usually sinks in.
When you meet with the director at the Glenside office, bring these items:
- A recent photo (for the hairstylist and the obituary).
- Social Security number.
- Discharge papers (DD-214) if they were in the military.
- A set of clothing, including undergarments.
- Any pre-arranged funeral paperwork if it exists.
Don't feel like you have to make every decision in the first five minutes. You don't. You can take a day to think about the obituary or the music. A good funeral director will give you space to breathe.
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Grief Support Beyond the Service
The funeral ends, the flowers wilt, and everyone goes back to their lives. That’s when the "real" grief starts. Mays Funeral Home Glenside often provides resources for local grief support groups in Montgomery County.
Grief isn't a linear process. It’s more like a series of waves. Some days the water is calm; other days you’re underwater. Utilizing local resources—whether it’s a group at Abington Hospital or a private therapist—can make the difference between treading water and sinking.
Many people find comfort in the physical memorial. Whether that’s a headstone at a local cemetery or a personalized urn on a mantle, having a "place" to go matters. The staff can help navigate the rules of various cemeteries, which, believe it or not, are incredibly strict about what kind of markers you can use.
Actionable Steps for Families
If you are currently facing a loss or just trying to be responsible for the future, here is how to handle the process with the least amount of stress possible.
Immediately after a loss:
Focus on your immediate family first. The funeral home can wait an hour or two while you say your initial goodbyes. Once you call Mays, they will take over the heavy lifting of transportation.
In the planning meeting:
Be honest about your budget. There is no shame in choosing a simpler service. A funeral is about the person’s life, not how much money you spent on a mahogany box. Ask for a written estimate before you sign the contract.
For the obituary:
Don't just list dates. Tell a story. Mention the dog they loved or the way they always burnt the Thanksgiving turkey. These are the details people remember. The funeral home can help submit these to the Philadelphia Inquirer or the Montgomery News.
After the funeral:
Secure at least 5-10 copies of the death certificate. You’ll need them for everything—banks, cell phone companies, deed transfers, and life insurance. It’s much easier to get them all at once than to go back and ask for more later.
Take things one step at a time. Glenside is a supportive community, and leaning on professionals who have seen it all can help you find your footing when the world feels like it’s shifting under your feet.