We’ve compiled prices from all Oswego County funeral homes (and from one out-of-county funeral home which has lower prices for direct cremations and burials) on a spreadsheet. These prices are taken directly from the itemized goods and services on the General Price Lists from each funeral home. You have the right to choose only the goods and services you want. So, you can mix and match from the various services offered to fit your taste and budget. Cemetery and crematory fees are not covered by this survey; they vary greatly, so it pays to shop around. All these prices were confirmed as correct in January of February of 2021.
The price comparison chart follows. I’ve broken it into three separate units so it can be read on mobile devices. If you’d like a one-page printable chart in a more convenient layout, leave a comment here or email stfrancisfarm@ymail.com and I will send you one.
For more basic information on your rights and options as a funeral consumer, contact the Funeral Consumers Alliance at funerals.org or 802-865-8300. Local information collected by St Francis Farm, stfrancisfarm@yahoo.com, 315-298-2844
Explanations of the terms used in the price sheet are at the bottom of this page, below the charts.
| Name | Allanson-Glanville -Tappan | Cremation Services CNY | Dowdle | Foster |
| Location(s) | Phoenix | Syracuse | Oswego | Fulton, Hannibal |
| Full Service Funeral | ||||
| Arrangements and Overhead | $2,400 | $595 | $1,000 | $2,195 |
| Body Removal | $275 | $350 | $250 | $350 |
| Embalming | $800 | $495 | $500 | $795 |
| Other Prep (Dressing, makeup) | $180 | $125 | $150 | $190 |
| Visitation (2 hrs) | $430 | $600 | $400 | $600 |
| Funeral Service | $700 | $475 | $300 | $690 |
| Hearse to Cemetery | $375 | $275 | $400 | $275 |
| Graveside Service | $350 | $200 | no charge | $195 |
| Full Service Funeral Total Cost (excludes cemetery, casket,vault) | $5,510 | $3,115 | $3,000 | $5,290 |
| Least expensive: | ||||
| Casket/alternative container | $200 | $150 | $1,000 | $60 |
| Vault/grave liner | $1,425 | $975 | $1,200 | $1,095 |
| Urn | $175 | $90 | not listed | $35 |
| OTHER OPTIONS | ||||
| Direct Cremation | $3,075 | $845 | $1,400 | $2,145 |
| add crematory fee (varies) | ||||
| Direct Burial | $3,075 | $1,395 | $1,500 | $4,410 |
| Anatomical Gift | $1,745 | not listed | not listed | $1,895 |
| Memorial Service (w/o visitation) | $650 | $400 | $400 | $635 |
| Additional Services (min.) | ||||
| Forwarding Remains | $2,050 | $1,245 | $150 | $1,495 |
| Receiving Remains | $1,695 | $995 | $150 | $1,495 |
| Limousine | $500 | $275 | Not listed | $475 |
| Custodial Care (per day) | $50 | $75 | Not listed | $25 |
| Topical Disinfection | $100 | $75 | $100 | $125 |
| Most recent price sheet date | 6/2020 | 5/2017 | 9/2018 | 7/2018 |
| Notes | Lower price for funeral immediately after visitation | Lower price for funeral immediately after visitation |
| Name | Foster-Hax | Harter | Nelson | Sugar & Scanlon |
| Location(s) | Pulaski | Parish, Mexico, Brewerton | Oswego | Fulton |
| Full Service Funeral | ||||
| Arrangements and Overhead | $1,785 | $2,095 | $1,575 | $675 |
| Body Removal | $285 | $270 | $295 | $295 |
| Embalming | $595 | $650 | $495 | $600 |
| Other Prep (Dressing, makeup) | $150 | $280 | $127 | $375 |
| Visitation (2 hrs) | $470 | $400 | $860 | $550 |
| Funeral Service | $665 | $420 | $550 | $550 |
| Hearse to Cemetry | $320 | $290 | $375 | $345 |
| Graveside Service | $340 | $350 | no charge | no charge |
| Full Service Funeral Total Cost (excludes cemetery, casket,vault) | $4,610 | $4,755 | $4,277 | $3,390 |
| Least expensive: | ||||
| Casket/alternative container | $230 | $150 | $40 | $225 |
| Vault/grave liner | $1,250 | $1,095 | $1,195 | $1,075 |
| Urn | not listed | $295 | $250 | $24 |
| OTHER OPTIONS | ||||
| Direct cremation | $2,380 | $2,805 | $2,098 | $1,650 |
| add crematory fee (varies) | ||||
| Direct burial | $3,190 | $3,650 | $4,208 | $1,815 |
| Anatomical Gift | not listed | $1,800 | not listed | $1,050 |
| Memorial Service (w/o visitation) | $720 | $950 | $425 | not listed |
| Additional Services (min.) | ||||
| Forwarding Remains | $2,450 | $2,635 | $2,898 | $1,500 |
| Receiving Remains | $2,450 | $2,635 | $2,328 | $1,500 |
| Limousine | Not listed | $400 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Custodial Care (per day) | $235 | $200 | $110 | $200 |
| Topical Disinfection | $200 | $250 | $184 | $125 |
| Most recent price sheet date | 7/2016 | 10/2013 | 7/2019 | 1/2018 |
| Notes | Graveside service w/o funeral service is $125 |
| Name | Summerville | Traub | Watson |
| Location(s) | Sandy Creek | Central Square, Bridgeport | Central Square |
| Full Service Funeral | |||
| Arrangements and Overhead | $920 | $1,595 | $1,595 |
| Body Removal | $375 | $395 | $395 |
| Embalming | $500 | $695 | $695 |
| Other Prep (Dressing, makeup) | $60 | $190 | $190 |
| Visitation (2 hrs) | $350 | $400 | $400 |
| Funeral Service | $475 | $350 | $350 |
| Hearse to Cemetery | $425 | $395 | $395 |
| Graveside Service | $175 | $200 | $200 |
| Full Service Funeral Total Cost (excludes cemetery, casket,vault) | $3,280 | $4,220 | $4,220 |
| Least expensive: | |||
| Casket/alternative container | $995 | $80 | $80 |
| Vault/grave liner | $1,395 | $1,195 | $1,195 |
| Urn | $100 | $75 | $75 |
| OTHER OPTIONS | |||
| Direct cremation | $1,475 | $1,940 | $1,940 |
| add crematory fee (varies) | |||
| Direct burial | $2,415 | $2,695 | $2,695 |
| Anatomical gift | not listed | $1,900 | $1,900 |
| Memorial service (w/o visitation) | $475 | $450 | $450 |
| Additional Services (min.) | |||
| Forwarding Remains | $1,475 | $2,685 | $2,685 |
| Receiving Remains | $1,475 | $2,385 | $2,385 |
| Limousine | $425 | $400 | $400 |
| Custodial Care (per day) | $75 | $50 | $50 |
| Topical Disinfection | $100 | $95 | $95 |
| Most recent price sheet date | 1/2019 | 9/2019 | 9/2019 |
Read on for explanations of terms used in the price sheet:
Arrangements and Overhead: This is the only non-declinable option for a full-service funeral. However, be aware that a charge for arrangements and overhead is already included in the prices for Direct Cremation, Direct Burial, and the Forwarding and the Receiving of Remains, and MUST NOT be added to any of those choices.
Body Removal, Hearse, and Limo: We’ve shown the least expensive, local charge for each funeral home in Oswego County. Extra mileage costs vary, though, so check. Cremation Services of CNY is in Onondaga County and charges extra transport fees for all out-of-county consumers; these are included in the prices of body removal, direct cremation and direct burial, not in hearse and limo prices (since someone from Oswego County might choose to be buried in Onondaga County).
Embalming: Embalming is NOT required by law. Most funeral homes, however, will insist on it if there is to be a public viewing. Be sure to check with the funeral home if you want a private family viewing without embalming; many funeral homes permit this.
Visitation: We show the cost for two hours. Some funeral homes offer a standard 2 or 2-4 hour visitation package, some charge by the ‘day’ without specifying length, and some charge by the hour.
Visitation, Funeral Service, Memorial Service: State regulations require funeral homes to list the charge for staff separately from the charge for the facilities used. We’ve added the staff and facilities charges together here for your convenience. Funeral homes list a range of prices based on many variables. For consistency, we have shown funeral service charges with a minimal number of staff, during non-holiday hours, and with the service held at the funeral home. Most funeral homes will conduct a funeral off-site as well, and in that case the prices may be different. Some funeral homes charge less for funerals and calling hours that immediately follow each other. That has been noted on this chart. Contact them for pricing. The price listed for a memorial service assumes no visitation; if visitation is desired, in most cases the funeral service price would be charged. Some funeral homes may list supervision only in their memorial service charges, assuming that the memorial will be conducted at some other facility. Be sure to ask.
Graveside Service: Price shown applies only when a formal service is held at the gravesite. The law requires the funeral director to be present at the interment, and that charge should be included in the Arrangements and Overhead price. Grave equipment (lowering device, tents, chairs) would be an additional funeral home cost or cemetery charge. Check with the funeral home or cemetery for price specifics.
Total Full Service Funeral: This is a partial cost for a hypothetical full-service funeral, what funeral homes call a “traditional” funeral. It does NOT include the cost of the casket / alternative container, vault / grave liner, or cemetery fees. The cost of the casket can be a significant part of the total funeral cost.
Casket / Alternative Container: State regulations require funeral homes to give a combined price range for their caskets (ornamented containers, lined, and with handles) and alternative containers (unornamented boxes, unlined, and usually made of fiberboard). This obscures the cost of the cheapest real casket, because the lowest price in the range may be for a fiberboard box. New York state regulations require funeral homes to offer direct burial and direct cremation with an alternative container—they may NOT force consumers to buy a fancier or costlier casket. (Nevertheless, some of the minimum listed prices on this chart may be for caskets. The prices come from the GPLs.)
Vault / Grave Liner: State regulations require funeral homes to give a price range for an outer burial container that most cemeteries require. Generally, funeral homes list only the ornate, often sealed containers called “vaults”; some, however, listed the cost of a much cheaper outer burial container known simply as a concrete grave liner. Ask.
Direct Cremation: Direct cremation is simply cremation without visitation or a service at the funeral home. It includes picking up the body, completing the necessary paperwork, and transporting the body to the crematory. The price for direct cremation includes the alternative container; however, you may supply your own and deduct the cost of the container. Direct cremation does not include the actual crematory fee. Fees in the county vary widely; some funeral homes use more than one crematorium depending on where the death occurs. Ask about crematory prices for your specific location. Out-of-county transport charges are included in Cremation Services CNY’s price.
Direct Burial: Direct burial is a burial without visitation or a service at the funeral home. It includes picking up the body, completing necessary paperwork, and delivering the body to the cemetery. The price for direct burial includes the alternative container; however, you may supply your own and deduct the cost of the container. The price does not include cemetery expenses, such as the cost of the grave, the digging of the grave, a vault, or a marker. Out-of-county transport charges are included in Cremation Services CNY’s price.
Anatomical Gift: This is the donation of one’s entire body to a Medical Center for education and research. The donor must be registered with the facility prior to death, and meet certain eligibility requirements at time of death. Prices shown include pickup of the body, preparation, and delivery to the Medical Center. There may be additional charges for mileage beyond a certain radius specified by the funeral home.
Forwarding Remains to Another Funeral Home: If the body is to be shipped a long distance, or to states requiring embalming for shipped bodies, you may need to add the cost of embalming to the price of Forwarding Remains.
Topical Disinfection: Might be used if a body is not to be embalmed, or for informal family viewing. Most price lists used in this survey disclose that this service is optional. You may, in fact, refuse to pay for this item if it is done without your specific permission.