Pennsylvania Burial has handled a lot of high profile funerals over the years. It has been called upon to handle many former Philadelphia police chief inspectors, the firefighters killed in the famous Arco refinery fire and explosion in the 1970s, and high-rankling Philadelphia Archdiocese priests, bishops, and cardinals. Additionally, Pennsylvania Burial has been entrusted to handle the high profile services for the various former Philadelphia branch Mob families of Angelo Bruno, Frank Sindone, Frank D’Afonso, as well as The Scarfo’s and Testa’s. Pennsylvania Burial today still serves the survivors and their families of these late notorious crime bosses. “For Philadelphia Godfather Angelo Bruno’s funeral in 1980, we had a 7 p.m. to midnight viewing time that went well beyond that. They had hundreds of flower arrangements including 10 flower car loads just for orchids,” Jacovini remembers. “We had to supply 28 limousines for the family and several thousand people came to pay their respects at the viewing,” Jacovini adds. “In the funeral of Philadelphia Mob Boss Phil Testa’s wife’s service, we had 23 flower cars loaded with the most beautiful arrangements,” Jacovini says. “We had every flower car rented from here to New York City,” he adds.
In the 1940s and ’50, when the U.S. Presidents came to Philadelphia’s Memorial Field to watch the annual Army/Navy football games, Pennsylvania Burial’s limousines were contracted by the Secret Service. Peter Jacovini himself also drove Pope John Paul II in one of their limousines when he visited Philadelphia in 1979. They were referred to the Secret Service by high-ranking members of the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Peter jokingly remembers having to make an important telephone call from the back of one of the limousines while the Pope was away from the car. Halfway through his call, he noticed the Pope walking back towards the limousine. He quickly had to end his call telling his caller, “look, I have to go. The Pope is coming.”
Today, the average traditional funeral with a modest metal non-sealer casket runs about $4,300 at Pennsylvania Burial, considered very reasonable for the area. “We only look expensive,” Jacovini says of his prices. Jacovini preaches 100 percent personal service to his families. His family handles all arrangements conferences personally. “If someone comes in and asks for one of us specifically, if they’re in the country they come in and handle the arrangements – that’s our policy” Peter Jacovini says. Some of the families that come in don’t even know Peter Jacovini by his actual name, referring to him as “Willie’s Boy,” having dealt with Peter’s father William back in the day. Part of the firm’s 100 percent personal service motto includes 100 percent funeral coach removal for all home deaths. The firm maintains an impeccable fleet of silver Cadillac hearses, limousines, and flower cars in an attached garage to the rear of the funeral home off an alley, where all remains are discreetly received at the facility.
The arrangement conference rooms as well as the casket showroom are located on the second floor of the building. The impressive showroom displays 35 caskets ranging in price from $500 for a minimum metal to a 48-ounce solid seamless bronze for $20,000. About six different brand name caskets make up the demographics of the room and several of the best sellers are kept in stock. “Our families are particular about their casket selection,” Jacovini explains. “When they go into the showroom and make their selection, they get that exact casket on display, not something ordered and delivered later. It is not unusual for a family member to make a casket selection, put a mark on it somewhere inconspicuously, then check for that mark later at the viewing. If it is not there, our people have some explaining to do.”