Wan Shou is the Chinese subdivision of the long-standing Ralph Aievoli Funeral Home, a fixture in Dyker Heights for over a 50 years (although the business itself was established over a century ago!). In a prescient observation of changing neighborhood demographics, Aievoli added a team focused on funerals for the Chinese community about two decades ago, which serves them well at this time.
The facility is spacious and well-kept. The room our family used was large and brightly lit. Overall, their spaces, furniture, and audio-visual equipment are similar to mid-level American hotel ballrooms (where conventions are usually held), which is a compliment as they do not draw attention to themselves, letting the focus be on the wakes and funeral services. They also offer the ability to project a slideshow of the family's choosing.
Cantonese-speaking staff attended to us, and guided attendees through the customs for paying respect, for anyone who didn't look certain, although there was a miss over letting everyone know what to do with the knit flowers given to family members (which seem to replace the traditional arm bands). The services were efficient and smoothly managed, including the subsequent transport and burial service. Our family chose not to burn joss sticks or paper, but that can be accommodated if desired.
For wakes and funerals, the best you can hope for is that a funeral home handles their end seamlessly, so that family and loved ones can focus on mourning and remembrance. Wan Shou did fine on those counts. read more
