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Pennsylvania Guide

What to do when someone dies in Pennsylvania.

A step-by-step guide for families navigating death administration in Pennsylvania. Covers death certificates, cremation rules, probate, and average costs.

$20 per copy
Death Certificate
24 hours
Cremation Wait
$900–$2,400
Avg Cremation
$50,000
Small Estate Limit

First 24 Hours in Pennsylvania

1
Call 911 or hospice if the death was unattended or unexpected
2
Have the death officially pronounced by a medical professional
3
Contact a funeral home to arrange transport of the body
4
Notify immediate family members and close friends
5
Secure the home, vehicles, and personal property
6
Locate the will, trust documents, and advance directives
7
Contact the deceased's employer if they were still working
8
Do not pay any bills or debts until the estate is established
See the full checklist (all phases) →

Getting a Death Certificate in Pennsylvania

Agency
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Cost
$20 per copy
Processing Time
3–5 business days

How many do you need? Plan to order at least 10–12 certified copies. You will need them for banks, insurance companies, government agencies, retirement accounts, and courts. It is much cheaper to order extras upfront than to reorder later.

Pennsylvania Legal Requirements

Pennsylvania has an inheritance tax with rates varying by beneficiary relationship.

Pennsylvania has an inheritance tax (spouses exempt, children pay 4.5%)
No state estate tax
Small estate threshold is $50,000

Average Funeral Costs in Pennsylvania

Average Cremation
$900–$2,400

Direct cremation to full cremation with service

Full cost breakdown →
Average Burial
$7,000–$13,500

Includes burial plot, funeral service, and vault

Full cost breakdown →

Ready to organize the paperwork?

FuneralFlow helps families track every task, gather every document, and manage all 47 government forms in one secure place — including Pennsylvania-specific requirements.

Try FuneralFlow Free →

Find Funeral Homes in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia
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Pittsburgh
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Allentown
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Erie
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Reading
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Frequently Asked Questions

How many death certificates do I need in Pennsylvania?

Plan for at least 10–12 certified copies. Each financial institution, insurance company, government agency, and court requires its own original certified copy. It costs $20 per copy per copy from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

How long does probate take in Pennsylvania?

Straightforward probate in Pennsylvania typically takes 6–12 months. Complex estates with disputes or significant assets can take 2–3 years. Estates under $50,000 may qualify for a simplified process.

How soon can cremation happen in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania requires a 24 hours waiting period before cremation. All paperwork must be completed and signed by the authorized next-of-kin before cremation can proceed.

What happens if someone dies without a will in Pennsylvania?

If someone dies without a will ("intestate") in Pennsylvania, the estate is distributed according to state intestacy laws. Generally assets pass to the spouse first, then children, then other relatives in a specific legal order determined by the probate court.