Thank you for visiting the web site of CREMATION AND FUNERAL ALTERNATIVES. CAFA was founded by Stephen Lohrmann in 1994 to provide a low-cost alternative to traditional funeral homes. Since then, locally owned CAFA has become one of the fastest growing funeral establishments in the area, serving hundreds of Maryland families. We offer cremations and burials, viewings, church funerals and graveside services, personalized memorials and caring personal support--all for hundreds or even thousands of dollars less.
   Our staff is knowledgeable, courteous and understanding, our services handled with dignity and respect. If you're seeking information about arranging your funeral or cremation ahead of time, if you need to arrange services today, or if you simply want to learn more about your options, we are here to help.

PUTTING AN END TO EXCESSIVE
FUNERAL COSTS.
   The average funeral costs about $6,000, not including cemetery fees. That's because traditional funeral homes specialize in providing more elaborate, more expensive facilities, services and merchandise. (It may surprise you to know that many "neighborhood" funeral homes are in fact owned by profit-driven international conglomerates.) With its low overhead, locally owned CAFA is a welcome alternative for families that prefer a simpler approach and more flexibility. We specialize in offering simple, dignified arrangements at dramatically reduced costs.

CHANGING TRADITIONS MEAN MORE CHOICES.
   Many people have misconceptions about funeral arrangements, often reinforced by the funeral homes themselves. With CAFA, you'll discover that you actually have many choices and rights. The first choice is between cremation and burial. If you choose cremation, you can still have a traditional viewing or funeral service, with a rental casket if you wish. Or you can achieve many of the benefits of a funeral with an intimate family viewing, with suitable containers for the cremation and the ashes. If you prefer burial, CAFA can offer a choice of caskets to fit any budget, whether or not we handle the funeral.
   We can arrange for a religious or secular service, a formal or informal gathering, or a highly personalized memorial that celebrates the life with photographs and other mementos. Services can be arranged at places of worship, graveside, a private home or our comfortable, well-appointed facilities. By offering you these and other choices, CAFA enables you to make plans that are suitable and affordable.

THE ADVANTAGES OF PRE-ARRANGEMENT.
   Why consider pre-arranging a funeral for yourself or a loved one? You may have very particular ideas about what you want. You may be interested in controlling costs. Or you may want to make things easier for your family. CAFA encourages pre-arrangement, even offering a pre-arrangement discount on direct cremations. In our experience, pre-arranging fosters communication among family members and reduces stress, because the wishes of the deceased are made clear.
   Another advantage of pre-arrangement is that it gives the family time to set aside funds to cover funeral expenses. If you're interested in pre-paying, we'll go over the pros and cons to help you make the right decision. And we'll also explain how, even if you've already pre-arranged with some other firm, you can usually save money by switching over to CAFA.

DEPEND ON CAFA FOR ALL YOUR
FUNERAL NEEDS
   Like all of our clients, your requirements will be unique. You can choose from: