CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for funeral homes and funeral services in Reading, PA
Funeral homes and funeral services in the Reading, PA metro area: 32 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 7-person team.
- Establishments
- 32CBP 2023
- Employees
- 218mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 7.3U.S. 4.5
- Rank
- 82nd of 727areas by count
Funeral homes and funeral services in Reading, PA by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 32 establishments classified as Funeral Homes and Funeral Services (NAICS 812210) in the Reading, PA metro area. They employed 218 people in mid-March and paid $7,369,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 82nd out of 727 areas with published figures for funeral homes and funeral services.
Measured against its 439,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 7.3 funeral homes and funeral services per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 4.5, so Reading, PA is 63.2% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 6.8 employees, compared with 7.1 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $33,803, 22.6% below the national $43,650.
| Measure | Reading, PA | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 32 | 966 | 15,183 |
| Mid-March employees | 218 | 4,901 | 107,566 |
| Annual payroll | $7,369,000 | $203,513,000 | $4,695,206,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 6.8 | 5.1 | 7.1 |
| Payroll per employee | $33,803 | $41,525 | $43,650 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 7.3 | 7.4 | 4.5 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
How big funeral homes and funeral services in Reading, PA are
Of the funeral homes and funeral services in Reading, PA that had employees in March 2023, 43.8% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 49.3%). 78.1% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 14 | 43.8% | 49.3% |
| 5–9 employees | 11 | 34.4% | 28.5% |
| 10–19 employees | 4 | 12.5% | 16.6% |
| 20–49 employees | 3 | 9.4% | 5.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 0.6% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls a funeral home in Reading, PA has to catch
Funeral homes receive calls at any hour, often at a family's most difficult moment, so every call must be answered with care. Coordination with clergy, cemeteries and florists also happens by phone.
A few of the calls that come in to funeral homes and funeral services in Reading, PA:
- The funeral home calls a family to plan arrangements.
- A florist calls about a delivery.
- A family calls about service times.
What funeral homes and funeral services text about
Funeral homes text service details to families who request them.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
What a phone system costs a funeral home in Reading, PA
The average funeral home in Reading, PA has 6.8 employees, so a 7-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $174.65 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $210.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $139.00 a month for 7 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $852 less than RingCentral for a funeral home in Reading, PA of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $139.00 | $1,668.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $133.00 | $1,596.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $161.00 | $1,932.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $174.65 | $2,095.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $189.00 | $2,268.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $210.00 | $2,520.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Getting a local number in Reading, PA
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 6 area codes. 484 has the most, with 95 of 206 exchanges (46%). A local number lets families in Reading, PA call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 484 | 95 | Eastern | 1999 | 610, 835 |
| 610 | 93 | Eastern | 1994 | 484, 835 |
| 835 | 11 | Eastern | 2022 | 484, 610 |
| 814 | 3 | Eastern | 1947 | 582 |
| 223 | 2 | Eastern | 2017 | 717 |
| 717 | 2 | Eastern | 1947 | 223 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What funeral homes and funeral services in Reading, PA get with Callata
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Reading, PA is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many funeral homes and funeral services are there in Reading, PA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 32 funeral homes and funeral services in the Reading, PA metro area in 2023. They employed 218 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 7-person funeral home?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 7 users cost $210.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $174.65 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $139.00.
What area code should a funeral home in Reading, PA use?
Area code 484 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 610 and 835. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a funeral home?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.