Riverdale On Hudson Funeral Home

I would like to clarify some information stated in the complaint. Many cemeteries in the New York area that we deal with provide Temporary Grave Markers for all new graves and burials. There are some that don’t allow temporary markers at all. If you put a temporary marker at those cemeteries,...

they will remove it and through it in the garbage. Each cemetery has different rules and regulations concerning their property and what is acceptable on their property. For theses reasons, as a matter of standard practice, we do not address temporary markers with the family. In this situation there was no blame game on our part. The cemetery could provide the marker free of charge or have a separate charge if the family wishes to purchase a marker. The cemetery should not blame the funeral home nor imply that the funeral home failed to provide a service 
that they should. Some funeral homes charge you for this item in a package, included with other items that a family may or not need. We choose to only provide and charge families for items they actually need.
So in December I did tell the family that because of the snow and cold weather, a temporary marker could not be placed by anyone at the grave until spring. When the family called back in March, another member of our staff, who was not aware of the December phone call, gave the standard answer that the cemetery normally provides the marker. We were not trying to give the family a run around. At that time we were not aware that the cemetery refused to provide any marker. Once we know that the cemetery would not help the family at all, we told the family that we could provide a marker for $75.00 and that we would be glad to go the [redacted] and place it at the grave. We ordered the marker and placed it at [redacted]. The family did mail us a check, but we will not be cashing it. We told the family that we are placing the marker this week. We accommodated the family as above before we received this complaint. We have been in business for over 50 ye ars and pride ourselves in handling all matters to a desirable result. This should close the matter because the desired settlement per the complaint has been achieved. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Review: This issue has been on going ever since burying my [redacted] on September [redacted]2013. In regards to getting a marker for my mother's grave. until I get her a headstone.The Funeral home blames the cemetery and vice versa. that it's not their job to provide me with the help, that I need. I had spoken with a [redacted], by the name of [redacted] back in December, who heard the frustration in my voice and offered to help me, after the holidays.But due to the brutal weather we had this winter, I waited and had my [redacted]give the funeral home a call, today March [redacted]2014.Which once again gave her the same story, about it not being their responsibility. And then my [redacted]called the cemetery and to no avail, [redacted] in [redacted] pretty much wanted nothing to do with this situation but giving her information of my mother's location. They take your money for services provided, then if additional Customer service is needed, they just want to brush you off. I will also be submitting a complaint in regards to the cemetery as well, this it treatment given to my family is unacceptable.Desired Settlement: All I would like is to get the help that I need to mark my mother's grave, until I purchase a head stone

Business

Response:

I would like to clarify some information stated in the complaint. Many cemeteries in the New York area that we deal with provide Temporary Grave Markers for all new graves and burials. There are some that don’t allow temporary markers at all. If you put a temporary marker at those cemeteries, they will remove it and through it in the garbage. Each cemetery has different rules and regulations concerning their property and what is acceptable on their property. For theses reasons, as a matter of standard practice, we do not address temporary markers with the family. In this situation there was no blame game on our part. The cemetery could provide the marker free of charge or have a separate charge if the family wishes to purchase a marker. The cemetery should not blame the funeral home nor imply that the funeral home failed to provide a service

that they should. Some funeral homes charge you for this item in a package, included with other items that a family may or not need. We choose to only provide and charge families for items they actually need.

So in December I did tell the family that because of the snow and cold weather, a temporary marker could not be placed by anyone at the grave until spring. When the family called back in March, another member of our staff, who was not aware of the December phone call, gave the standard answer that the cemetery normally provides the marker. We were not trying to give the family a run around. At that time we were not aware that the cemetery refused to provide any marker. Once we know that the cemetery would not help the family at all, we told the family that we could provide a marker for $75.00 and that we would be glad to go the [redacted] and place it at the grave. We ordered the marker and placed it at [redacted]. The family did mail us a check, but we will not be cashing it. We told the family that we are placing the marker this week. We accommodated the family as above before we received this complaint. We have been in business for over 50 ye ars and pride ourselves in handling all matters to a desirable result. This should close the matter because the desired settlement per the complaint has been achieved. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.