When my mother and I walked into Castle Hill Funeral Directors on 4/8, the voice of a male yelled that we had to wait outside on the curb.
Keep in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak in the Bronx. I understand precaution and maintaining distance, but the funeral director made no prior mention on the phone about their current method of interaction with visitors.
To actually put up a notice which states, "No walk-ins", while displaying a disclaimer of the pandemic which so many other essential businesses are doing, would have been sensible in order to notify visitors to not step foot into the funeral home and the reason why. I mean, you can't get more specific than that. Considering the doors are white, it would have been easy to see. But I checked a total of four times and I found nothing. Regardless of the guidelines on the news concerning funeral homes, that didn't change the fact that a notice should've been up outside.
Now regarding the price for a cremation, which my mother requested for my father, the amount was almost $3,000. Two words: price gouge.
As my mother and I were leaving, a woman, who works there and who had a nasty attitude, blocked the entrance. Like, seriously? This is where a notice would have sufficed so they wouldn't have to create their own little makeshift barricade with two vases and a table. I laughed for a good minute after I saw it. Or perhaps they should have just kept the door closed. Also, they should have kept themselves seated at the window where they talked to their visitors. But personally, I refuse to conduct business and do transactions that way as if it's a walk-up window at a fast food joint.
That was our first and last time at this funeral home. If I could give them no stars, I would. read more
