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Your Trusted Funeral & Cremation Services in Wilkes-Barre, PA
At Kniffen O'Malley Leffler Funeral and Cremation Services, we have served Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties since 2013 with compassionate, personalized end-of-life care. As the only local funeral home owning our state-of-the-art crematory, we maintain continuous care of your loved one throughout the entire process. Our certified funeral directors and celebrants provide tailored services ranging from traditional funerals to cremation options, including veterans' honors programs and pre-planning consultations. We maintain strict adherence to a Cremation Code of Ethics, ensuring secure identification processes, electronic documentation, and private family identifications.Our facilities feature climate-controlled storage, open crematory access for family witnessing, and 24/7 availability across our Wilkes-Barre and Avoca locations. We distinguish ourselves through comprehensive tribute packages, fingerprint preservation, and customized memorial services that honor individual life stories while offering practical support with insurance, veterans' benefits, and social security paperwork.
Services
Cremation Services
Funeral Packages
Veterans Services
Pre-Planning Consultations
Grief Support
Cremation Jewelry
Memorial Ceremonies
Green Burials
Ocean Scattering
Alkaline Hydrolysis
Highlights and features
- Family-owned crematory ensures continuous care of your loved one
- Certified celebrants create personalized non-religious ceremonies
- 24/7 availability across two convenient Pennsylvania locations
- Veterans' Fallen Heroes program with no-cost services
- Strict Cremation Code of Ethics compliance with electronic documentation
What people say
Compassionate staff
Transparent cremation process
Veterans' honors program
Personalized memorial options
24/7 availability
Services
Cremation Services
Our family-owned crematory provides complete process control with strict identification protocols. Services include private family identification, electronic documentation, and stainless steel medallion tracking. We offer direct cremation, memorial services, and specialized options like ocean scattering and alkaline hydrolysis while maintaining continuous care of your loved one.
Veterans Services
Comprehensive veterans' programs include flag folding ceremonies, military honor guards, and VA-funded headstone assistance. Our Fallen Heroes program provides no-cost services for line-of-duty deaths, with specialized tributes for police, fire, and EMS personnel. We handle all required military documentation and coordinate with local veterans' organizations.
Funeral Packages
Customizable funeral arrangements range from traditional services with visitation to modern celebrations of life. Packages include professional staff support, facility use, ceremonial transportation, and memorial keepsakes. Options accommodate various budgets while maintaining dignity and personalization through video tributes and customized service programs.
Pre-Planning Consultations
Our pre-planning services help families document wishes and establish funding options. We provide free planning guides, online preplanning forms, and personalized consultations to reduce future burdens. Services include document storage, periodic review options, and flexible payment arrangements for pre-arranged services.
Grief Support
We offer comprehensive grief resources including counseling referrals, support literature, and community resource connections. Our staff provides guidance through the grieving process with personalized follow-up and access to local support groups. Services include memorialization options for lasting remembrance and emotional healing.
People
Brian Leffler
Owner, Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant
Licensed funeral director since 1996 with over 25 years of experience. Regional manager of multiple funeral homes before acquiring current locations in 2013. Active in local community organizations and youth sports coaching.
Rynell Van Luvender
Licensed Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant
Licensed since 2009 with training from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Specializes in creating personalized non-religious ceremonies. Certified Celebrant with In-Sight Institute training. Active in local community activities.
Susan Zeske
Administrative Manager
Administrative leader since 1997 with extensive client service experience. Manages daily operations and client interactions with compassionate approach. Key contact for families during arrangement processes.
Madison Perchak
Funeral Director & Certified Celebrant
Recent graduate of Northampton Community College's Mortuary Science program. Certified Celebrant with expertise in modern memorialization options. Active in local music scene and community events.
Chris Van Luvender
Non-Licensed Funeral Attendant
Community leader with 40-year career in oil industry. Avoca Hose Company chief for 35 years. Military veteran with extensive local service history. Provides logistical support for funeral operations.
Questions
What cremation options do you offer?
We provide direct cremation, traditional cremation with visitation, memorial services, ocean scattering, and alkaline hydrolysis. All cremations occur in our family-owned crematory with continuous care.
Do you handle veterans' funeral benefits?
Yes, we coordinate VA benefits, military honors ceremonies, and Fallen Heroes program services. Our staff processes all required documentation for veterans' memorials and headstone applications.
Can I pre-plan my funeral arrangements?
We offer free pre-planning consultations, online forms, and funding options. Our staff securely stores your preferences and provides periodic review opportunities to update your arrangements.
What identification processes do you use?
We implement fingerprint records, stainless steel medallions, and electronic documentation. Families may witness cremation and receive detailed process tracking from intake to final remains return.
Are memorial services included with cremation?
Yes, we offer customizable memorial options before or after cremation. Services include video tributes, personalized ceremonies, and keepsake creation with flexible scheduling options.
How do you ensure cremation security?
Our 10-step process includes private identification viewings, continuous staff supervision, and secure documentation. The crematory maintains climate control with family access for process verification.
