Beautiful and sobering experience at Calvary Cemetery. Could…read morehave spent hours walking around reading the headstones - wondering about the lives these souls at rest led. Some of them cut so short.

Located in the Woodside section of Queens, established in 1848, I was only here a few times years…read moreago, but it has always remained a vivid memory. It covers 365 acres and is divided into 4 separate sections. In some significant ways, it's a quintessential urban cemetery- a sprawling, densely-packed, but historic necropolis imbued with an eerie beauty. If a city's history is contained in its cemeteries, NYC's history is very much contained here. I searched out the monument of pioneering hero policeman Joe Petrosino, the police officer who fought organized crime in the early 20th century and was killed in Sicily in 1909 while on a fact-finding mission. In another part of the cemetery is the massive mausoleum dedicated to his antithesis in every way-- Joe the Boss Masseria, who was killed in 1931 in a hit set up by Lucky Luciano (I recommend the book "The First Family" by Mike Dash, an exhaustively researched, fascinating history of NYC's Mafia that covers the careers of Petrosino, Masseria, and others). I also have to confess I sought this cemetery out because of my love for the film "The Godfather" (which is a mythology of the Mafia in much the same way "Gone With the Wind" was a mythology of the antebellum South, but in spite of that, "The Godfather" remains one of America's greatest films). It was here that Don Corleone's burial scene was filmed. I found the exact location where it took place. At the job I had at the time, I became friends with an older Orthodox Jew who had been best friends with actor Richard Castellano (Clemenza) and he recounted for me that Castellano and others of the cast, including Richard Conte, had been sneaking nips from a flask that Castellano was carrying on that very cold day; they had snuck down between the mausoleums to "micturate" when nature inevitably called. When I found the site, I halfway expected to find a stone with the words CORLEONE chiseled on it (I didn't). (A nice side story-- when I was a kid and became angry at my adoptive parents, who were in actuality warm, loving people, I sometimes, in my youthful stupidity, fantasized about being adopted into the Corleone family like Tom Hagen, the Irish-German orphan. When I recently told that to my oldest, best friend...we grew up together obsessed by the movie...he said, "Don't worry; you're MY Irish consiglieri!") A lot of famout people are buried here, including Tony Bennett, Dom De Luise, Una O'Connor (not so "famous," but she was the screaming crone in "Invisible Man" and several other old-time Universal horror movies), Tony Sirico (The Sopranos), Governor Alfred Smith, Mayor Robert Wagner, Texas Guinan (the speakeasy manager during Prohibition who "welcomed" her guests by shouting, "Hello, suckers!"), and others. There are also the thousands of graves belonging to honest, hard-working citizens whose efforts helped to transform NYC into the booming metropolis that it became, and still is. For Catholics, Calvary is a sacred place of reverence, mourning and remembering those who have traveled the path we'll all follow someday. For respectful visitors without personal connections to Calvary (like me), it's a rich and fascinating trip through history, and it also offers some glorious and magnificent views of the NYC skyline (especially of interest to the photographer, or...perhaps...the painter).

John handled my ex-boyfriend's cremation and internment expertly…read more He is a pro and his family has been in the business for decades. Much love and respect to John, his team and R.I.P. to Mr. Werner Alfredo Padilla. You are missed every day!

John Krtil is a compassionate funeral home willing to take the burden of handling a funeral or just…read morecremation off your shoulders. I highly recommend them

The funeral service performed today by the Lynch Edward D Funeral Home were excellent. The process…read morewas smooth and it gave my family and me comfort knowing that they were able to take care of all the arrangements from picking up my father's body from the hospital to the funeral home process and then to the cemetery. I requested a priest for a prayer service and was able to get one. We also received the death certificate the same day. I highly recommend this Funeral Home. The Funeral Home was clean, air conditioned and comfortable. The staff was supportive and understanding. Thank you Lynch Family for your understanding at such a difficult time and your excellent service. Thank you Maureen Lynch for all your advise and support.- Marie

I had the best experience under a very sad time in my life. It has taken me three months to write…read morethis review. But I felt people should know about them. From my very first moment I walked into the funeral home I was greeted with such a caring way that I knew this was the place. It's family run so they are all willing to help in any way to make the service as pleasant in unpleasant circumstances. If you are looking for a funeral home that truly feels like you are HOME with family then this is the place for you! Grateful, Rose P

Used this funeral home in 2013 when my mom passed as it was affordable and received excellent…read moreservice. Then in 2019 when my uncle passed we went back thinking we'd get the same quality service we received before, boy was I wrong. The moment we walked in we were met by pure ratchetness. Dudes that looked like they belong elsewhere eating wings and a so called funeral director (not the same one I dealt with in 2013) just as ghetto. No tact no empathy. I requested a change of casket since the one my cousin chose wasn't up to par and I was told it couldn't be done bc allegedly the body was already in the casket which I suspect wasn't true. Finally the morning of the burial they were over an hour late to pick him up and go to the cemetery. No reason given just kept telling us they were on the way. Unless this place has changed management and staff in the last 7yrs I would not use this place. I'd rate them no stars but that's not possible.

I was pretty much in shock when I contacted First Avenue Funeral Service in October from another…read morestate to make arrangements for a funeral. From the start they were compassionate, gentle and kind. There was no attempt made to upsell their services. They quickly took possession of my brother before I arrived in New York and it was a comfort to my family that he was no longer in the city morgue while I flew out to NY. They made the entire process of his wake and cremation as simple and gentle as possible. Mr. Lee was the one who prepared my brother for viewing. Mr. Lee is an artistic genius, due to throat cancer my brother did not look as he once did but Mr. Lee worked a miracle and despite the circumstances of his death my brother looked as if he had just settled down for a nap on my sofa. I half expected his ankles to be crossed as was his habit in life. While searching for a funeral home I found out that the one my family traditionally used was having legal issues over quality and was forced to look elsewhere to arrange funeral services. I'd contacted several funeral homes before deciding to go with FAS due to their location and was surprised to find that they were the least expensive out of all the funeral homes I'd contacted. They were budget friendly without being skimpy. Located in an area with several funeral homes, they are small, not so flashy and easily overlooked but they provide wonderful service and are kind and compassionate. I highly recommend them and will use them again should the need arise.

I attended a service recently, and felt it was devoted to the family of the man who died. His…read morechildren and grandchildren spoke so lovingly of him. The rabbi was the key person who gave so many supportive messages. I felt so pleased for my dear friend. She is the widow of the deceased gentleman.

Apparently it's not a cheap place for funeral planning but I went to a wake here that had food and…read morewas very well run. The staff was good about giving you direction to get to your proper wake and I was able to store my coat when I came in. The facility itself is also tastefully decorated and felt very respectful of people coming in to pay their respects or families dealing with the loss of their loved one. No complaints from my end though I was here for my friend's father who was a doctor and apparently the one responsible for creating the 911 system in NYC (something we take for granted these days so most definitely a task worthy of praise).

John is a true gentleman! He made the whole process easy. He handled every aspect for us.read more

John was very knowledgeable & helpful in every way and he treated us like family ! He didn't rush…read moreus at all even if we got caught in traffic on our way to the cemetery. Thanks so much John Hoey

Not happy with their new location. The service felt more like a business transaction and all they…read morewanted was money. During the first viewing the director immediately came in and wanted money. Like really you couldn't let us grieve a little bit? The woman who worked the desk came over to us at 8:4pm telling us we had to tell our loved ones to leave. Lady that's your job. I'm so sorry we are taking up your time. We paid till 9pm viewing show some respect. The next day a limo was sent to us. Do you know it wasn't a limo it was just a Lincoln town car that only 7 people could fit it. No one could look at each other we were just packed in the car. No water or tea, nothing. This Quinn really isnt what it was before and I recommend you choose a different funeral home. QUINN died once it moved location. The parking is a complete joke and you get rushed during the services. Very displeased and shocked this is what Quinn turned out to be.

From the owner: Celebrating each life like no other…read more Each one of us is unique with our own story to tell. As North America's largest provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services, Dignity Memorial professionals excel at helping families create meaningful tributes that truly celebrate the lives of the individuals they represent.With an extensive network of more than 2,000 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, Dignity Memorial providers offer families personalized services and advanced-planning options to meet any need. From the simple to the extraordinary, your Dignity Memorial professionals are here to see that your special story is told.

I am 10000% satisfied with Papavero and would never go anywhere else. They are incredibly…read moreempathetic, compassionate, skilled professionals who think of every detail and do a stellar job, they made 2 horrible events stress free. My family and friends were so impressed- THANK YOU Kevin, Joe, Jake!

I don't know where to begin but I want to say Papavero Funeral Home is around for five generations…read moreand I know why. The compassion, professionalism and attention to detail is above and beyond. I couldn't believe the kindness they showed me especially Joseph who took care of us. Everything was so beautiful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

During one of the most heartbreaking times in our lives, the staff at the funeral home (especially…read moreJohn) treated our family and our precious baby with extraordinary compassion, kindness, and dignity. Every detail was handled with care, and they guided us through the process with patience and genuine empathy. Their professionalism and sensitivity gave us comfort during an unimaginable loss, and they made sure our baby's service was beautiful and meaningful. We are deeply grateful for the respect they showed our family and for helping us honor our little one with such grace. Thank you for your exceptional care and support. We will never forget the kindness you showed us during a time when we needed it most.

Highly recommend this funeral home , they made everything super smooth and painless and gave me all…read morethe best suggestions for my dad's service . John was super efficient and diligent w