Overview: Downtown Manhattan
Although this area is geographically small, its diversity is immense. This location (limited to below 34th street) is comprised of a myriad of different cultures. At one point, this large melting pot consisted of small subcultures created by the immigrants. Over time, the area became more gentrified and less culture specific, but some funeral homes have continued to cater to their original clientele. Most funeral homes appeal to the catholic clientele, but some focus on the Asian cultures, while others are more focused on Russian or Hispanic customers.
Funeral Homes
If you plan to have a traditional funeral service with the body present (regardless of whether you choose to bury or cremate the body afterwards) you must work with a funeral home to make your arrangements.
|
Name |
Rating |
Price Level |
Religion(s) |
Location |
|
Highly Recommended |
High |
All Faiths |
Gramercy |
|
|
Highly Recommended |
Low |
All Faiths |
Gramercy |
|
|
Highly Recommended |
Medium |
All Faiths |
The Village |
|
|
Recommended |
Low |
Christian |
East Village |
|
|
Recommended |
Low |
Buddhist/Christian |
Chinatown |
|
|
Recommended |
Medium |
All Faiths |
Meatpacking |
Crematories
The choices below are direct cremation companies and tend to be less expensive than working through a funeral home.
|
Name |
Typical Price |
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Low |
|
|
Medium |
|
|
Low |
Cemeteries
You will work directly with the cemetery to arrange for a plot and the burial, but many of the details like buying a casket and body transportation will be coordinated by the funeral home you choose.
|
Name |
Rating |
Price Level |
Religion(s) |
Location |
|
Highly recommended |
High |
Non-Denominational |
Bronx |
|
|
Highly Recommended |
High |
Non-Denominational |
Westchester |
|
|
Recommended |
Medium |
Non-Denominational |
Brooklyn |
|
|
Recommended |
Low |
Catholic |
Queens |
|
|
Recommended |
Low |
Catholic |
Bronx |
Funeral Homes – Complete List
Recommended Highly
Andrett Funeral Home
353 2nd Avenue (20th and 21st Streets)
New York, NY 10010
(212) 475-2024
http://www.dignitymemorial.com/andrett-funeral-home/en-us/index.page
Also Known As: Gramercy Park Funeral Home
John Kuhn runs this downtown SCI location. There is a fairly large, clean and inviting chapel on the main floor. Two smaller chapels upstairs can be rearranged to accommodate any type of service. Although SCI-owned, this funeral home located on Second Avenue is inviting from the outside and has a very neighborhood feel to it.
Gannon Funeral Home
152 East 28th Street (Lexington and 3rd)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 532- 6579
http://gannonfuneralhome.com
Steve Baxter, the main funeral director is welcoming, honest, helpful and knowledgeable. There is a chapel on the main floor and upstairs another chapel and a casket room that can be curtained off and made into an auxiliary room. The furniture in each room can be reorganized to accommodate the families’ requests and he also explained how he is happy to have people bring their own caskets. I believe he would do everything he could to please a family and not take advantage of them.
Perazzo Funeral Home
199 Bleeker Street (Macdougal and 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10012
(212) 777-7108
www.perazzofuneralhome.com
This funeral home is also known by the following names:
Greenwich Village Funeral Home
(212) 674-8055
www.greenwichvillagefuneralhome.com
Deluca Funeral home
(212) 677-9600
www.petercdelucafuneralhome.com
Crestwood Cremation
(212) 431-6712
www.crestwoodcremationfuneral.com
Beth Abraham Memorial
(212) 614-2300
www.bethabrahammemorialchapel.com
This is an excellent choice for a downtown funeral and has become an institution in the area. Unlike many others, Perazzo is large and bright; the sun comes shining through the oversized stained glass windows in the entrance hall. It's beautiful, sparkling and comfortable. I believe that families are well taken care of at this location (no matter what name they choose to be served by).
Recommended
NG Fook Funeral Inc.
36 Mulberry Street (Just North of Worth Street)
New York, NY
10036
(212) 374-1003
www.fookfuneralgroup.com
This is my choice for an Asian funeral on “funeral street” of Chinatown. Not only were the facilities nice, but so were the funeral directors. I spoke with Wilson Pui Wing Mak who was exceedingly kind and took the time to show me around the facilities and explain the Chinese traditions to me.
Note: Head to Fook On Sing shop next door for paper replicas.
Peter Jarema Funeral Home
129 East 7th Street (1st Avenue and Avenue A)
New York NY 10009
(212) 674 – 2568
www.jaremafuneralhome.com
From the first phone call, Danny Buzzetta was a pleasure to deal with. This is a small completely family owned and operated funeral home. There is a small chapel and a very cozy wood paneled larger one. Jarema is very clean and a nice choice in this price range and although it's more expensive than Ortiz, it seems well worth it. While most of the clients are Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish (Danny is the only funeral director who is able to give a full service in Ukrainian) they are happy to work with everyone.
Redden Funeral Home Inc
325 West 14th Street (8th and 9th)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 242-1456
www.reddenfuneralhome.net
From the outside this funeral home is a bit dark and uninviting. I was greeted by a man (who was not in a suit) who was happy to find a funeral director for me. They have a large appealing, clean chapel in the back and then smaller rooms upstairs. They seem kind and able to meet their families’ needs.
Cannot Recommend Yet
Provenzano Lanza Funeral Home
43 Second Avenue (2nd and 3rd Streets)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 473 -2220
www.provenzanolanzafuneral.com
Ortiz R G Funeral Home
22 1st Avenue (1st and 2nd Street)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 673-1110
Direct Cremation Companies
Cremations and Burials
Peter Dohanich Funeral Home
(800) 321- 1163
www.CremationsAndBurials.com
I spoke with Peter, the operator behind this company, and while this is by far the cheapest option I've come across, he did leave me with more questions than answers. Peter runs an all-cash business with direct cremations starting at only $595 and direct burials at $895. The cremation will take between 7-10 business days unless you pay to have it expedited. His website will help you with all necessary information but he is more than happy to speak on the phone.
Direct Cremation Company
152 East 28th Street
New York, NY 10016
(800) 649- 5050
www.DirectCremationCompany.com
Steve Baxter has been running this this cremation company out of Gannon Funeral Home since 1964. A direct cremation starts at $1995. Although it's more expensive than other options, some might prefer to spend more for the professionalism they receive.
Metropolitan Funeral Service
191 Avenue A (Just South of 12th street)
New York NY 10009
(800) 332-1880
(212) 674-3630
www.nycdirectcremation.com
Family owned since 1935, this company seems quite reputable and each representative I spoke with was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They are proud to serve all families. The honest cost-efficient operation allows them to keep prices low for their customers, with direct cremations starting at $1197. Cremations are done in Long Island and clients can expect to get ashes back within a day or so.
Recommended Cemeteries
Calvary Cemetery
49-02 Laurel Hill Boulevard
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 786-8000
www.calvarycemeteryqueens.com
This Catholic cemetery has a large chapel on the grounds which celebrates the Eucharist in honor of the over 1,750,000 buried within Calvary. There are multiple options for both in ground and crypt spaces.
Cypress Hills Cemetery
833 Jamaica Avenue
New York, NY 11208
(718) 277- 2900
www.cypresshillscemetery.org
This very well maintained 225-acre cemetery was started as a non-profit and non-sectarian. It is connected to Mount Carmel, Salem Fields, B’nai Jeshurum, Beth El, and National Cemetery and offers plenty of different options for interment.
Kensico Cemetery
(Salem Fields)
273 Lakeview Ave
Valhalla, NY 10595
(888) KENSICO (536-7426)
www.kensico.org
This is an absolutely gorgeous cemetery set on over 400 acres in Westchester. Many late celebrities reside here.
St. Raymond’s Cemetery
2600 Lafayette avenue
Bronx NY 10465
(718) 792-1133
www.straymondparish.org/cemetery
Owned and operated by the Archdiocese of NY, it is the only Catholic cemetery in the Bronx. Their nearly 4000 burials each year are in-ground, crypt, and niche options. There is a special area for stillborn and young babies. The 180 acres are split between the old and the new sections.
Woodlawn Cemetery
517 East 233rd St New York, NY 10470
(718) 920-0500
www.thewoodlawncemetery.org
The 400 acres of this national historic landmark are truly stunning. There are many notable “residents” 1300 mausoleums with many by notable architects.
Other Cemetery Options:
Although getting buried in Downtown New York City is nearly impossible there are a number of beautiful cemeteries in close proximity. All of these cemeteries have spots that would make lovely final resting places.
QUEENS, NY:
Cedar Grove Cemetery
(718) 939-2041
www.thecedargrovecemetery.com
Mount Hebron Cemetery
(718) 939-9405
www.mounthebroncemetery.com
Mount Lebanon
(718) 821-0200
www.mountlebanoncemetery.com
Mount Zion Cemetery
(718) 335-2500
www.mountzioncemetery.com
Saint John Cemetery
(718) 416-8600
www.cathcemetery-bklyn.org
St. Michael’s Cemetery
(718) 278- 3240
www.stmichaelscemetery.com
Ferncliff
(914) 693 - 4700
www.ferncliffcemetery.com
Gate of Heaven
(914) 769-3672
www.gateofheavenny.com
Greenwood Union Cemetery
(914) 967 – 0095
www.greenwoodunion.org
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
914-631-0081
www.sleepyhollowcemetery.org
Westchester Hills Cemetery
914-478-1767
www.swfs.org/cemetery
Hotels
Not only do all the known chain hotels have a presence in New York City, there are also a myriad of independent hotels ranging in size, cost, location, and amenities. The follow are a few good options located near some of our recommended funeral homes.
$ up to 150
$$ 151 to 250
$$$ 251 to 350
$$$$ 351 and up
The Bowery House
220 Bowery
New York, NY, 10012
(212) 837-2373
www.theboweryhouse.com
This is a trendy hostel style accommodation in the heart of Soho. Individual “cabins” are designed with multiple different set-ups to accommodate various group sizes. $
The Cosmopolitan Hotel
95 West Broadway
New York, NY 10007
(212) 566-1900
www.cosmohotel.com
This is a small (122-room) budget boutique hotel in the heart of Tribeca. Travelers constantly give this hotel excellent reviews; although it is budget, it's clean and well maintained. $ -$$
Gramercy Park Hotel
2 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212) 920-3300
www.gramercyparkhotel.com
This is a luxurious, fashionable and modern hotel in a fantastic location. When staying here, guests can take advantage of the rooftop club and garden, Maialino Restaurant, The Rose Bar, and the 24-hour fitness center. $$$$
The Hotel Wolcott
4 West 31st Street
New York, NY 10010
212-268-2900
www.wolcott.com
Built over 100 years ago, this hotel combines the old world charm with hospitality and modern conveniences. Tea, coffee, and muffins are served every morning in the lobby. $$
Restaurants
Even though there are countless restaurants in New York City, be sure to contact the restaurant before showing up with a large group. Not only do you want to be certain they can accommodate a crowd of your size, but the restaurant might also have a special event private room and/or menu. These are just a few ideas for restaurants that are close to some of the funeral home that we recommended. Also, you might want to consider a favorite local restaurant or a deli such as Katz’s Delicatessen or 2nd Ave Deli to cater a Shiva or lunch at your home.
Amazing 66
66 Mott St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 334-0099
www.amazing66.com
This is one of the rare Chinese banquet-hall style restaurants that still exits today. Although they cater to tourists, there is a private space available downstairs for 15-60 people. This very casual restaurant is ideal for those looking for authentic Chinese food in the heart of Chinatown.
Giano Restaurant
126 East 7th Street
New York, NY 10009
(212) 673-7200
www.gianonyc.com
This low-key Italian restaurant not only has delicious authentic food, but also a warm owner who makes it his mission to make sure each customer is satisfied. They also offer a set menu for larger groups.
Landmarc –Tribeca
179 W Broadway
New York, NY 10013
(212) 343-3883
www.landmarc-restaurant.com
The private room at this American bistro makes an ideal setting for an upscale luncheon in Tribeca. The staff will happily customize a menu and can give you anything from a “Romanian feast to a gourmet hamburger station.”
Other Helpful Local Resources
Goodwill
220 East 23rd Street
New York NY 10010
(212) 447-7270
www.goodwill.org
Salvation Army Thrift Store
112 4th Avenue #1
New York, NY 10003
(212) 673-2741
www.salvationarmyusa.org
Vintage Thrift
286 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212) 871-0777
www.vintagethriftshop.org
This is an upscale thrift store in Gramercy and is consistently praised by its customers. It's a fun experience since the shop is set up like mini homes to show how the products can be used. The proceeds benefit The United Jewish Council of the East Side.
Buffalo Exchange
332 E. 11th St.
New York, NY
(212) 260-9340
www.buffaloexchange.com
This is a thrift store that's focused on buying from and selling to local customers (80% of their inventory is bought by local customers). You can call and ask what they are looking for before bringing in your items. They are very friendly and happy to walk you through their process. Like others, portions of their proceeds go to charity.
The Dream Clean
www.thedreamclean.com
Although there are a few cleaning services that can be purchased online, this seems the most legitimate. I choose them for two reasons; they will give you a direct quote online and they have a specific selection for deep clean “moving out.”
