CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — When we think of a funeral, many typically think of tragedy and mourning. But the family-run Frank Duca Funeral Home and Crematory in Johnstown looks to make something positive out of some people's darkest days.
The Duca family is giving back to the community in a unique way. After running their funeral home in Johnstown for over 72 years, the family decided to open a crematory in 2015.
Bradley Duca, a licensed funeral director at Frank Duca Funeral Home and Crematory, says they came across something they never expected.
"Titanium hips or knees, or bones. There’s certain medical implants that will not combust during the cremation process and those will be left over, and we have to sort through after the initial cremation process is completed," said Bradley Duca.
The Duca's say during discussions with a family about cremation for their loved one that passed, medical devices and artificial joints are discussed. They say that families leave the future of the artificial joints and medical implants up to them.
"In Johnstown we’re pushing about 39% cremation, which wasn’t predicted until the year 2030. People move and don’t stay very long and don’t know where to bury their loved one and sometimes they just take them with them," said Frank Duca the owner of Frank Duca Funeral Home and Crematory.
Over the last five years of running their crematory, the family says they've come across over 100 knee joints left after the cremation process, an unexpected outcome for the family that came with a positive solution.
The Duca's say they found a company that takes the titanium medical devices and artificial joints that will recycle them in an environmentally friendly way. And in return, the Duca's say they receive money they're then able to donate to different causes.
"We hope that families that find out or understand what we’re doing, that they’re happy and have a little sense of comfort knowing that those post cremation metals were not just put somewhere. That they were actually recycled, and we were able to give back to somebody else for that," said Alexis Peifer, a licensed funeral director and crematory operator at Frank Duca Funeral Home and Crematory.
In the past, Peifer says they've donated to St. Jude's Children's research hospital, but now they're planning to donate to local causes throughout Johnstown. Peifer says their first local donation will be check for over $800 to the Cambria County Humane Society.
The Duca's say they bring the titanium artificial joints and medical devices to be recycled every quarter. They say they'll choose a different cause to donate to each time.
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