Having been to the FDR Library and Museum this weekend, I was still tripping for Presidents and was…read morepleased to learn that the late 21st POTUS was laid to rest here in Albany. Yes, Chester Alan Arthur (1829-1886) served as President of the United States from 1881 to 1885, taking over for the assassinated James A. Garfield. I did not know much about President Arthur other than the brief reference to him in Die Hard With a Vengeance (the school with the bomb was named after him). He achieved little notoriety as a President, though this quote says much about him: "No man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted as Chester Alan Arthur, and no one ever retired ... more generally respected, alike by political friend and foe." It seems to me that he was a great leader for America. His tomb here is quite nice. You're looking for lot 8, section 34. I suggest downloading this helpful map https://albanyruralcemetery.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Notables_Map.pdf which also points out some of the other famous residents of the cemetery. [Review 11509 overall, 1289 of 2019.]

This was my first visit to the Albany Rural Cemetery even though I have resided in the Albany area…read moreall my life. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping on this glorious day. Strange to visit a cemetery without having to gone to a funeral first. It turns out that this is resting place that is visited by a good number of visitors on any given day. Chester B. Arthur is also a resident of this cemetery. The mature trees and rickety roads all lead the way to the unique headstones and mausoleums with angels keeping watch over all those resting in peace. It's a beautiful place to visit. I am sure I'll be back for another visit.

We are incredibly grateful for the respect and dignity shown to our father and for the kindness…read moreextended to our entire family. Vincent was professional, compassionate, and caring. His thoroughness and attention to even the smallest details made an overwhelming process feel manageable. We always felt informed, supported, and reassured, knowing everything was being handled with such care. Thanks to his exceptional level of service, we were able to create a beautiful and meaningful service to honor our father's life. We highly recommend Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home to any family in need of compassionate and professional care.

Words cannot properly express my thanks to Vince and the staff at Dufresne and Cavanaugh Funeral…read morehome for their care and attention to detail with the passing of my Father back in December. We had met with Kevin some time ago to go through the pre-planning steps and he was very clear and empathetic through the entire meeting. After Dad's passing, we were originally not going to have a wake, but after reconsidering Vince made that happen with everything taken care of. Dad's wishes were also to be buried out in Farmington N Y (rural part of Rochester) and they made the whole process so easy and seamless, transporting Dad, staying through the service and making sure the internment went well before making the long drive back to Albany. Vince and Kevin's sensitivity and compassion throughout the whole process was extraordinary and made that part of Dad's passing a little easier. I would HIGHLY recommend Vince, Kevin and the staff for any of your Funeral needs including the pre-planning process.

I have used the services of Simple Choices twice now over the last 7 years. Each time, Roy and his…read morestaff have been professional and compassionate. I felt at ease from first contact that my loved one (and I !) would be treated with care and respect. I appreciated the prompt response from the moment I reached out. Without hesitation, I would recommend Simple Choices for end of life arrangements.

I'm a year late writing this review, but it was recently the first anniversary of the death in our…read morefamily and it reminded me that we intended to share our glowing review of Simple Choices but didn't get to it in the months immediately after. At the time, I called around to at least 4-6 different places in the Albany area to understand the cremation options available, at a very stressful time obviously. Roy was BY FAR the most compassionate, patient, responsive, and clear about what to expect. Seriously, you just don't want to deal with the impersonal or callous attitudes that came across in my first phone call with some of the other places that offer cremation services. There wasn't even the smallest hint of anything other than the ideal level of genuine helpfulness from Roy. On top of that the prices were extremely fair, and the environment and decor in the Simple Choices funeral home is very comforting. Looking back, it also feels good to have supported a business & team that is committed to doing the right thing for people at their worst times. They live out ALL the values stated on their website. Oh, and I should also mention just in case anyone's looking for this detail in a review - our family isn't Christian, and Roy was nothing but pure kindness and understanding on adjusting the decor in the funeral home for our small family viewing. Roy & team, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for your excellence at serving us at such a difficult time. If we could leave you a 6 star review we would!

When my Mother passed recently we found out she had a trust set up for her funeral, it turned into…read morea nightmare, until Jeff Collette. This was the hardest day in my life and I truly feel God put Jeff into my path. He was wonderful from start to finish. He made everything so much easier and we knew Mom would be taken care of. I truly can not thank that man enough. God bless you Jeff, this is why small business is so important, I don't think a large place would have done everything they did. My family and myself will always be thankful. Sincerely, Kellie Nardin

Jeff and his staff are the absolute best funeral home I have ever dealt with. They offer…read morecustomized, personalized service plus all the other services other "big" funeral homes offer, but for much more affordable prices. Not only did he offer to come meet us at the hospital we were at for our first meeting (so we didn't have to leave my mother-in-law's side in order to drive to the funeral home), but he treated us like we were a member of his own family from start to finish. Jeff went out of his way to ensure that we were happy with everything for my mother-in-law's funeral, he personally ensured that my mother-in-law was in his care at all times after her passing, and even ensured he had the right person in place to do her African American hair and make up (for the viewing). He knew we were concerned about costs (since my mother in law did not have an insurance policy) and was always helping us think of options that were affordable to fit in our budget. We had his personal cell phone number so we could call him directly with any questions or concerns--and he was endlessly patient with us, even when we called him three times a day or at 2 in the morning. I have never had better service--it was truly a wonderful experience. I highly recommend Jeff and his staff at Konicek and Collett.

The good folks at Lyons Funeral took care of everything from helping with decisions to guiding the…read morefamily through the process at the funeral mass. They also had a template to help with the obituary. The staff was friendly, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.

From the owner: W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. is a family-owned funeral home dedicated to serving our…read morecommunity with compassion, dignity, and care during life’s most difficult moments. We understand that every life is unique, and we take the time to listen, guide, and support each family in creating a meaningful tribute that truly honors their loved one. From traditional funeral services and visitations to cremation options and personalized memorials, our experienced staff is here to handle every detail with professionalism and sensitivity. We pride ourselves on clear communication, thoughtful planning, and being available when families need us most before, during, and after services. Our facilities are designed to provide a peaceful, welcoming environment where families and friends can gather, reflect, and find comfort. Whether you are planning ahead or navigating an unexpected loss, we are committed to easing the burden by offering steady guidance and genuine care at every step. At W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., we believe our role goes beyond arrangements we are here to support, to honor, and to help families begin healing with respect and grace.

Parker Brothers is the best! Under the circumstances, they went out of their way to accommodate…read moreeverything needed for my mom's services, and I am so grateful for their support. Vince and the other staff were so kind, caring, and always receptive to our requests. Their compassion and professionalism made a very difficult time a little easier for our family, and we are truly thankful for everything they did. They treated us with dignity and grace from beginning to end, and we will never forget the comfort they provided during such a painful moment in our lives.

Unfortunately, this is the second time I have used Parker Brothers Funeral home. I don't mean that…read morein a negative way but that is where both my parents have been entrusted on the last step of the journey of life. I can't say enough good things about Mike, Vince and all of the staff. This is not a time in any family's life that you want an amateur handling your loved ones. Parker Brothers Funeral Home is the A-team. Thanks Mike. Ken "Kew" Kruszeski

This graveyard is well kept, but other people should know you can't plant flower for long term, it…read morewould be impossible to keep this place nice and tidy.... My Mom and Grandparents are buried here and I come every time I'm up here, and they maintain this very well... their stone was leaning and I ask one guy could you fix it and they did, I slipped a 20 spot to him and said this means a lot to the people that have family here... A BIG SHOUT OUT to the maintenance crew that do a very good job maintaining this cemetery...

Growing up, I was always one of those kids who was afraid of ghosts, creeped out by graveyards, and…read morethought I [literally] had skeletons in my closet at night. Mausoleums still rub me the wrong way. But, here's something that surprisingly didn't scare me: Albany's many graveyards. At first, I thought it was weird how they were squooshed between fast-food chains and went right up to the streets. Then, after thinking about it, it's OUR modern culture that doesn't necessarily have enough respect for the dead to have a more sacred place for them. Many of these cemeteries popped up before development (Albany IS almost 400 years old, anyway). So the other day, I went around looking at all the cemeteries. Out of four I visited that day, Our Lady of Angels was hands-down my favorite. Well, maybe not favorite, but definitely the most beautiful and the least creepy. While the land is flat and expansive, it's kept up beautifully, and there are some really stunning edifices in honor of the people who lie beneath, no matter how creepy that sounds. I was floored by some of the cementwork--sunbleached and clean--depicting many saints, angels, and even an enormous crucifix, complete with a colorful Jesus. This place seemed peaceful, the way a cemetery should be, despite the fact it's right off a busy road.

We did a pre-burial arrangement. Everything was smooth, professional, and fine. We hope to not take…read moreadvantage of this too soon. But it was not stressful at all. Suggest everyone also do preplanning ahead to help your loved ones.

I am so appreciative and grateful for the care and support Levine memorial chapel provided me. From…read morethe first call to the last of arrangements, the staff was exceptionally helpful. I don't feel a review can put it all into words; but I can say, they were exactly what I needed and went above and beyond to provide for the needs I had. I live out of state and chose the chapel based on limited internet search (my brother lived near Albany), and they were "more than I could ask" which is all I could have asked. Recommend without reservation.