Frequently Asked Questions

A. Yes, it is important that your family, close friend or attorney are informed of your intentions. Many people choose to pre-arrange for their cremation involving family members. This ensures your family is aware of your intentions. Pre-arranging services also provides family members peace of mind.

A. First, call CSOWNY at (585) 544-4500; we are available 24 hours a day. As required by New York State, a Licensed Funeral Director will transfer the deceased to our facility, until the proper arrangements can be made.

A. Although some families still choose to purchase a casket, it is not necessary to purchase one in the case of direct cremation. Most cremations take place using an Alternative Container; a combination of plywood and pressboard. With Cremation Service of Western New York, this is included in our price.

** Crematory Requirements state that the remains must be received in a rigid leak-proof container.

A. In New York State, embalming is not necessary when cremation is selected. However, your funeral service provider may require embalming if you select services with public viewing.

A. Yes, it is possible to arrange for calling hours, for an additional cost. This can be done in two ways. traditional calling hours, where the remains of the deceased are embalmed and times are set up for public visitation. Or, memorial calling hours where the remains are not present for the visitation. Many times in the case of memorial calling hours, photos are used in memory of the decedent.

A. By all means, Memorial Services are encouraged. These can take place at our Funeral Home, your local Church or Synagogue, or even at your families home. In recent years, even the Catholic Church has eased its position on cremation. It is now possible to have a Funeral Mass in a Catholic Church and have the cremains present in the Church.

A. Although many people find it comforting to know their arrangements are made in a advance, it is not necessary to pre- arrange your services.

A. You are not required to pre-pay if you pre-arrange for our services. However, pre-payment guarantees you the current price for our services*. We can arrange, on your behalf a "Funeral Arrangement Agreement" or a trust account in your name with "Cremation Service Of Western New York" as your beneficiary. By doing so, all funds remain in your name until we prove our services have been completed. If there is an over payment, the remaining balance will be refunded to the next of kin or your estate.

A. Yes, Social Security will reimburse a surviving spouse or dependent child a lump sum allowance of $255.00. If you are a Veteran on disability or if death occurs in a veteran's hospital there is an allowance of $450.00. As of October 1990 there is no other allowance offered.

A. With cremation, the decision for the final disposition of the cremains is once again a matter of personal choice. Interment in a cemetery,
entombment in a niche or columbarium are traditional forms of disposition. In today's society many people find it more personal that the cremains be scattered someplace that has significant meaning to the decedents life. However, please note that there are EPA regulations regarding the scattering of remains that should be reviewed with your Funeral Director.

A. No, the cremains are returned from the local crematories in "Temporary Urns" which are rigid, secure plastic urns more than suitable for either interment in a cemetery or for the purpose of scattering. Should you decide that you would like a permanent cremation urn, Cremation Service of Western New York has a wide selection you can choose from.

Yes, when cremains are interred in cemeteries there will be a charge for the opening of the grave, and depending on the cemetery, you may be required to purchase an urn vault. Your funeral director should be able to advise you of cemetery regulations and pricing.