Ortiz Funeral Home is ghetto af! If you love your people DO NOT use this rachet place. From the…read morebeginning, when I called, they picked up the phone like a call center. YARI, who btw is a woman who sounds like a man, was fast talking, no warmness, no compassion. I requested a direct cremation for my nephew who died this past Monday with an id viewing for 5 minutes. She gave me the price of like $1800 but warned me that price was for 4 people to view him, she said itd be $250 more for 6 people, but that she had to confirm. She called me back in less than an hour and said the price she gave me is wrong, the real price is $3800!!! As I protested she did her best to cut me off and shut me up. I blew my top!! She very coldly told me that that is the price and if I had a problem with it to call MARTIN the funeral director. I asked her to text me his number and of course, she never did. When I called back, they actually picked up the phone and hung up. My heart sank. I called again and now another female picked up the phone and she was sassy enough to make me want to smack fire out of her. She snarkly gave me Martin's number, and it goes without saying they left me on hold forever when I called. While all of this is happening, my poor brother is acclamating to the idea of having an entire funeral instead of the direct cremation. He was adamant he wanted to use this dump because other family members had been buried with them. So of course I swallowed my pride and called there this morning to apologize to YARI and pay for the funeral that we did not want but were willing to buy for my brother's sake. 9:04 am the next day I called and they told me she was with a client. I told the secretary I wanted to apologize and book an appt. She said Yari would call me back, she never did. By 1030 I asked my husband to call because I just didn't have it in me anymore. He calls and speaks to SHANNON, this "advisor" was even more ignorant and money hungry than the other idiot, Yari. She used words like "fishing" and "feel him out", when addressing the amount and funeral services my other nephew would want for his dead brother. Now my husband blew his top aswell and addressed her lack of professionalism. This place crushed my already broken heart and I will scream it from the mountain tops that Ortiz Funeral Home is garbage!!! Buyer be wary. After all of that, we read the reviews and omgggg, they can't even get loved ones ashes to the correct next of kin. Absolutely deplorable!!!!

This place sucks. You know the saying, "late to your own funeral", well that is exactly true now…read more They don't prepare the body in that place, they prepare the body at the grand concourse facility then drive the body to the one on Westchester Ave. my grandmother was almost an hour late. No website. No monitor to hook up a usb to for a photo montage. Over priced and so dated. Dirty walls and ceiling. Go to farenga bros. Much better experience when laying your loved ones to rest.

From beginning to end the process was seamless and we are very grateful for that. We also loved how…read morethe person helping us had a great attitude answered all our questions and made us feel comfortable during our difficult time! Thank you so much!

In the past 10 years John J Fox and Sons have provided funerals for several of our family members…read moreand we could not be happier with the level of service and professionalism they provided. I see a couple of negative reviews on here saying that the staff wasn't professional or no one picked up the phone, other nonsense and I have to say this was NOT my experience at all and we've been going to the funeral home for years with the same funeral director (Tom Roemmelt). The staff is extremely accommodating. For our most recent funeral, our beloved Auntie Ro loved playing the lottery. And we mentioned we wanted to have some sort of floral arrangement that would somehow honor that. Tom says "let me see what I can do." He calls up the florist, explains to them the situation, and a few seconds later he hangs up and looks at me and my wife and says "It's done." And sure enough, the arrangement came out BEAUTIFULLY, and everyone who came to the service loved it. And it provided quite a few smiles on such a dark and sad day. Also our beloved Auntie Ro was 95, and Janitza Soto made her look absolutely wonderful. They dyed her hair *exactly* the way she liked it and did her makeup flawlessly. Rose would have loved it. They took every single instruction and request we gave them and executed it perfectly right down to the pink rosary we gave them to have Auntie Ro was holding in her hands. They never once rushed us. Or pressured us. And they were always at all times professional, courteous and respectful. Tom even gave me his personal cell number to contact him directly no matter what time of day or night. To which, last minute things came up and I had to text him at midnight at he responded IMMEDIATELY. Cannot say enough nice things about this funeral home and staff. Highly recommend working with them. AAAAAAAA+++++++

I want to give a honest review on one of the best funeral homes in the Bronx. My brother in Law…read moreR.I.P was at that funeral home yesterday for the viewing. The staff was awesome and helpful when we needed them. I would recommend anyone living in the Bronx who needs a funeral home for their loved ones. The prices are reasonable and it's a 7 hour viewing with this Post COVID era. Thank you for making this memorable. R.I.P Jay !!! Reeeee! Load!!!!!!

We choose this funeral home for my mothers services which were held 7/3/2022 and I could not be any…read morehappier with the ease of how everything was handled. The chapel's available are both nicely lit and clean. The bathrooms were also very clean within the facility. Truly a business that is transparent and explains every step of the process to you. Genuine Compassion is hard to find in businesses but this one seems to truly care. Family owned businesses are the true businesses that deserve your business.

Always have had a great experience at this funeral home. From family services to friends, from…read moreburials to cremations. The services and quality they offer here are great. This funeral home is also very nice and they have parking now. It's also pretty affordable

I have no complaints about Ortiz Funeral Home. Every person I spoke to was patient and…read morecompassionate. They are a great team and could answer all my questions. Losing a loved one unexpectedly, is challenging all by itself, and the staff at Ortiz know this. I didn't feel rushed or overwhelmed by them. The onsite parking was a huge plus. The night of the viewing, the room was ready as we agreed and everything went seamless. The drive to the cemetery was easy and we were not rushed there either. I highly recommend them. Margarita was my main contact and I couldn't have asked for someone better.

One of my childhood friends died and the family had a budget. I recommended Ms Francine. The send…read moreoff was monumental. They treated him like royalty. Even though the family had limited mean. Well Done!¡!!

When my brother transitioned he lead me to this funeral home. I spoke with Frank who lead me to…read moreFrancine and she was very caring and supportive throughout the entire process. I trusted her with my brother and she executed a great job. I would highly recommend this place !!

Very disappointed over my experience with the Staff at Granby. Everytime I met with staff it…read moreseamed we always seemed to be starting over even when a detailed plan was created. Service was non supported amd rushed, Hearst driver was in a speed race to the cemetery and leaving messages to speak with someome seemed futile was business concluded. I hoped and prayed for better from Black Owned business but was left disappointed. We can do better!

My experience with Granby's funeral home was nothing short of amazing on the day of my father's…read morefuneral. Ms. Augusto was so compassionate, proactive and welcoming to all of our guests. Vivian, Mrs. Granby, Rev. Granby all help to ensure that this sad hearted occasion turned out lovely. I really appreciate the team and wanted to take time out to say this place was lovely, the services provided was quality and an A+. Thank you so much for making last Saturday a memorable homegoing for my dad. I certainly recommend this funeral home. the affordability, the team, the venue, the services rendered- of great value. Thank you. Latoya N,

When my mother and I walked into Castle Hill Funeral Directors on 4/8, the voice of a male yelled…read morethat 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.

July 17th was my mom's funeral at Castle Hill Funeral home. Everything was done with compassion and…read morecare. Funeral director George Farr was attentive and caring. My mom looked natural and not made up. I chose this funeral home because I did not want that big commercial feel. I wanted piece and tranquillity and not multiple viewings like a conveyor belt feel. I highly recommend this treasure in your family's time of need.

The worst. Very unprofessional, rude. no communication w family in time of need…read more cremation delays, wrong socials on death certicate. no one is ever there to assist you doors always closed. since David is gone the ladies are the worst and have attitude when the family hasnt gotton answers and have to make several calls to get answers. between the main office & grand concourse they dont know their ass from their elbows Ortiz is paid (overly paid) for cremation but to make the family have to go back inforth is unprofessional, disrespectful, and not right at all Id NEVER recommend anyone, had id knowen better id paid a lil more for a better funeral home services, I'd of went to John Fox

This is a hooptie of a funeral. No communication. Wanted to be updated as to when person was…read morepicked up from hospital.......Nope. Took calling 3 times to both this place and the hospital direct. In my assessment, they are very busy. It is very upseting when businesses take on more than they can handle. That is what the "employees" do not understand. The services are terrible & now your getting beefed at. Nothing personal. At least pretend to be caring and/or surprised (i.e. relating with the customers). However, this is the cheapest place so thats about it.

with this funeral home was absolutely way they treat you with such respect and kindness and the…read moreway they prepare everything for you. It is absolutely at its best

I don't know where to begin in expressing my gratitude to Ralph and his extraordinary team at Sisto…read moreFuneral Home. After the sudden loss of a loved one in New York, I found myself navigating an overwhelming and emotional time from across the country. Based on reviews, I came across this gem of a funeral home in the Bronx and decided to reach out--albeit with some hesitation, knowing that not all reviews reflect reality. I can say without reservation that Sisto Funeral Home exceeded every expectation. From our very first interaction, Ralph treated me with the care, compassion, and attentiveness one would expect from a trusted family member. His communication was impeccable, his follow-up consistent, and his attention to detail unmatched. Despite the time difference and the fact that I was coordinating everything from California, Ralph was always responsive, thoughtful, and reassuring. I initially contacted eight funeral homes throughout New York City, and choosing Sisto Funeral Home was one of the best decisions I made during this difficult time. The funeral service was held at St. Raymond's Church, and it was truly beautiful. Ralph and his team arrived promptly, conducted themselves with the highest level of professionalism, and carried out every aspect of the service with dignity, respect, and grace. If I could give ten stars instead of five, I would do so without hesitation. I rarely write reviews, but making the time to write this one was a priority because exemplary service like this deserves to be recognized. Thank you, Ralph. I will be forever grateful to you and your team for guiding my family and me through one of the most difficult moments of our lives with such compassion and excellence. Thank you sincerely.

Communication from management is a joke.. Compassion level is zero and they seem to be experts in…read moremiscommunication ..

This is what I guess you could call "Part 2" of my review for the "St Raymond Old Cemetery." To my…read moremind, they were always 2 separate cemeteries. This 2nd cemetery is...obviously..."newer," and therefore...to me at least...less interesting, less fascinating, than the "old" one. If you have a loved one buried here, the history of it, the "fascination" of it, is inimical to the actual purpose of what a cemetery is for. To remember, to mourn, to hope for something beyond the bleak limitations of death. Or to hope, if there is nothing beyond death, that the loved one in question is at least at peace. If I remember right (it has been a long time since I came here), the 2 cemeteries are about a mile apart from each other. As you enter the cemetery, you pass a towering structure with what I remember as an engraving of the Virgin Mary on it. The New St. Raymond's is the quintessential urban cemetery, and you'll never forget for an instant that you're in the Bronx. There are some trees scattered here and there, and the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge is visible on the distant horizon, breaking up somewhat the bleak monotony of row after row of similar, densely-packed tombstones. What brought me here? Billie Holiday. I was late in coming to appreciate her incomparable artistic brilliance. As a teen, I was always intrigued by artists I heard about who "lived on the edge," whether it was Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Lenny Bruce, Hank Williams, or...of course...Billie. I thought she was beautiful. In time, as I (hopefully) matured, I moved past the juvenile obsession with self-destruction and "living on the edge" and began paying attention to the unique music that was her legacy to the world. Every tortured, tormented moment of what she had endured in her life came through in every note of her songs. Without her voice, many of the songs are formulaic "pop" hits that were the mainstay of that musical era. With her voice? Magic. I wasn't a jazz fan as such (although I appreciated the talent and skill of the musicians performing it), but I responded to Billie. One soul reaching out, calling out, to another over the chasm of decades. That, to me (admittedly untutored and desperately amateurish), is the essence of art. True art. Art that becomes immortal. For a long time, her grave was unmarked. Eventually, some fans got together and purchased a simple tombstone, with Billie's name and dates, as well as those of her mother. At the bottom of the stone, are the words emphasizing that Lady Day is "Always in our Hearts." As they say in the vernacular these days...true that! The only other artist buried here that I was familiar with was Frankie Lymon, but I never searched out his grave. Maybe someday on another visit. As with any cemetery, Catholic or non-Catholic, this is a sacred and holy place, a place of mourning, remembering, sadness and...for those who are religious...hope. As someone who doesn't have any loved ones or friends or relatives buried here (not that I know of, anyway), and as someone who is not Catholic or religious (although I do go through periods where I would describe myself somewhat vaguely as "spiritual"), I would have to say that this is not a notably picturesque or historic cemetery, but if you have a reverence for jazz in general and Billie Holiday in particular, it IS a must-visit cemetery.