Business Details
About
Funeral HomeCremation Service
At Forastiere Family Funeral & Cremation, we do, indeed, try to offer you a home, a comforting and inviting place to gather in remembrance and celebration of lives lived well. Our experienced staff is committed to this vision and passionate about making your time with us as memorable and uplifting as possible. We bring together decades of experience caring for families of all cultural backgrounds and diverse walks of life. We pledge to treat you and your loved ones just like family, and we guarantee to offer services that meet all of your specifications while exceeding all of your expectations.
Details
- Onsite servicesAvailable
- Free parking garageNot available
- Free parking lotAvailable
- Free street parkingNot available
Location
Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation
45 Locust St, Springfield, MA
01108, United States
Hours
Reviews
4.9
41 reviews
5 stars
39
4 stars0
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star0
- HCHannah CashOct 16, 20252.0So I must say im not super thrilled. First to start there were many mis communications while working with this funeral home but mis communications often happen and as long as they are fixed everything is fine. Tho what really displeased me is that when I got my cremations back I never got my screw driver tool back that I had to provide for the urn that I had picked out to be used. Never got that back along with a black velvet bag that also came with the urn that the bag of ashes were supposed to go inside of before being put inside of the urn. Upon me just now opening the urn to fill necklaces of my loved ones ashes I found the black velvet bag to be missing. I am very displeased with using forestiere funeral home and do not plan to ever use them again. If somebody else has to supply items or have items that come with urns or etc. Should be receiving all provided items back. Not just 1.
- BBB BMay 1, 20235.0Kind and gracious service. Their gentle approach left a warm feeling with me, in an otherwise dark time for my family.
- NHNan HurlburtDec 22, 20225.0Kate and her team were so caring and thoughtful. Kate made the whole experience seamless. Myself and my family were so grateful for all her support. I highly recommend using their services in the future.
- MCMaryanne Bernini CaughlinJul 31, 20185.0My husband had cancer for over eight years, so we had plenty of time to talk and plan. Over our 40 years together, we always celebrated and marked occasions very simply. We chose to celebrate with friends and family over good food and with lots of conversation, laughs and sharing. Making good memories. When Jerry died I wanted to honor how we had always done things. We had discussed having a simple process when either of us died, showing the love and respect we held for each other during our lives. Forastiere provided this for me. They treated me with respect, demonstrating a caring support for all my decisions. I felt that not only was I cared for, but that my husband was being cared for with the dignity and respect I wanted. They allowed us to be able to do a simple cremation, get his ashes and then on our own hold a wonderful memorial, celebrating his life as we always had with family and friends. I had my initial meeting with Loren when my husband went into hospice. She provided me with the ability to know what I had hoped for was possible and gave me the information I needed to plan exactly how we wanted things to proceed. When Jerry died and my daughters and I met with Brian we already had all that decided and it was just finishing the final details. Loren and Brian offered us caring, professional support which allowed my daughters and I to go through this very painful experience feeling like someone was looking out for us and ensuring things went smoothly according to the plans we had set out. I would highly recommend this funeral home to anyone. We could not have asked for any more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation
Why are funerals so expensive?
When compared to other major life events like births and weddings, funerals are not expensive. A wedding costs at least three times as much; but because it is a happy event, wedding costs are rarely criticized. A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc.), these expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral.
Additionally, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but the services of a funeral director in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers and others; and seeing to all the necessary details.
If I am cremated, can I be buried with my spouse even if he or she was in a casket?
Yes — Depending upon the cemetery's policy, you may be able to save a grave space by having the cremains buried on top of the casketed remains of your spouse, or utilize the space provided next to him/her. Many cemeteries allow for multiple cremated remains to be interred in a single grave space.
What do I need to know about income tax when I lose a spouse?
Uncertainty about income tax issues can add to the stress experienced from the death of a spouse. You should meet with your family attorney and/or tax advisor as soon as possible to review your particular tax and estate circumstances. Bring a detailed list of your questions to the meeting. If you do not have an attorney or tax advisor, call the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040 for answers to specific tax questions.
Is there financial help if I need it?
There are a number of options available, including:
Determine if the deceased person qualifies for any entitlements. Check with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and with your State Fund. Many people are entitled to get financial assistance with their funeral costs from these agencies if they qualify.
Review all insurance policies the deceased person has, including life insurance. Some life insurance policies have coverage clauses for funeral related costs.
Find local charities providing financial help for funeral expenses. Search for non profit organizations and for churches in your area.
Talk to your funeral director about cremation options - these can be much less expensive depending on your choices.
What is memorialization for a cremation?
You might choose ground burial of the urn. If so, you may usually choose either a bronze memorial or monument. Cremation niches in columbariums are also available at many cemeteries. They offer the beauty of a mausoleum setting with the benefits of above ground placement of remains. Many cemeteries also offer scattering gardens. This area of a cemetery offers the peacefulness of a serene garden where family and friends can come and reflect.
Can we scatter the cremated remains?
If you wish to have your ashes scattered somewhere, it is important to discuss your wishes to be scattered ahead of time with the person or persons who will actually have to do the cremation ashes scattering ceremony, as they might want to let your funeral professional assist in the scattering ceremony. Funeral directors can also be very helpful in creating a meaningful and personal ash scattering ceremony that they will customize to fit your families specific desires. The services can be as formal or informal as you like. Scattering services can also be public or private. Again, it is advisable to check for local regulations regarding scattering in a public place-your funeral director can help you with this.
Why are funerals at Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation considered expensive?
Funerals are labor-intensive and require extensive facilities and services, including arrangements, filings, and coordination with various parties, which factor into the cost.
Can cremated remains be buried with a spouse who was casketed at Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation?
Yes, depending on cemetery policies, cremains can be buried on top of or next to the casketed remains of a spouse, often allowing multiple cremated remains in a single grave.
What should I know about income tax after the loss of a spouse?
It's advisable to consult a family attorney or tax advisor promptly about your specific tax and estate situation, or contact the IRS for specific questions.
Are there financial assistance options available for funeral expenses at Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation?
Yes, options include entitlements through Social Security, Veterans Affairs, state funds, life insurance policies, local charities, and choosing cremation options that may be less expensive.
What memorialization options are available for cremation at Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation?
Options include ground burial of the urn with monuments, cremation niches in columbariums, and scattering gardens offering peaceful reflection areas.
Is ash scattering allowed and can Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation assist with it?
Yes, scattering ashes is possible; funeral professionals can assist in creating a meaningful ceremony and advise on local regulations for public scattering.
What are the operating hours of Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation?
The funeral home is open 24 hours every day, including Federal Holidays.
Does Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation provide wheelchair accessibility and parking options?
Yes, it has wheelchair accessible entrances and seating, however, restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. Free onsite parking is available.
What payment methods does Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation accept?
They accept American Express, Cash, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.
What nearby facilities can visitors to Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation access?
Nearby are City Hall for government services, CITGO and S & S Foodmart for fuel and convenience shopping, and Porter Lake for a peaceful outdoor visit.
Are there other funeral service providers near Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation?
Yes, Tazzini Funeral Home and New England Funeral and Cremation Center are nearby, providing additional options for funeral and cremation services.
Which local businesses near Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation might visitors find helpful for personal care and grooming?
Visitors can access services like Top Nails and Wanda's Nails for nail and beauty care, and Blessed Cuts and International Barbershop for barber services nearby.