When you’re driving down Green Street in Hudson, it’s easy to pass by the stately architecture of 110 Green Street without thinking much about what happens inside. Most people only ever step through those doors during their absolute worst weeks. Dealing with the logistics of loss is a heavy lift, and honestly, the local landscape of funeral services can feel a bit like a maze when you're grieving. Bates and Anderson Funeral Home Hudson NY—now officially known as Bates & Anderson - Redmond & Keeler Funeral Services, Inc.—has been a fixture in Columbia County for a long time.
But what actually goes on there? Beyond the standard obituaries and the quiet viewing rooms, there’s a lot of specialized work involved in keeping a legacy-based business running in a town that’s changed as much as Hudson has.
The Reality of Planning at Bates & Anderson
Planning a funeral is basically a series of a hundred tiny, high-stakes decisions. Most folks come in thinking it’s just about choosing between a casket or a cremation urn. It’s way more than that. Thomas E. Bucholsky and the team at Bates & Anderson deal with everything from the "first call"—that’s the industry term for when they actually come to pick up the deceased—to coordinating with local cemeteries like Cedar Park.
One thing people often get wrong is the timeline. You’d think things happen instantly, but there’s a massive amount of paperwork. We're talking about death certificates, social security notifications, and permits for burial or cremation. If you're looking at Bates and Anderson Funeral Home Hudson NY for help, they sort of act as a project manager for your grief. They handle the stuff you’re too exhausted to think about, like making sure the military honors are actually scheduled for a veteran’s service or getting the "365 Days of Grief Support" emails set up for the family.
📖 Related: Panamanian Balboa to US Dollar Explained: Why Panama Doesn’t Use Its Own Paper Money
Breaking Down the Costs
Let's talk money, because no one likes to but everyone needs to. Funerals are expensive. According to general price lists often associated with the facility, a basic service fee can run around $2,650. But that’s just the starting line.
- Direct Cremation: Usually sits around $2,450.
- Embalming: Often costs about $750 (and no, it’s not always legally required unless you're doing a public viewing).
- The "Extras": Caskets can range from a few hundred bucks to several thousand. Then you've got the hearse (around $450) and the use of the facilities for a wake ($1,025).
If you’re doing the math, a full traditional service can easily climb toward $8,000 or $9,000. It’s a lot. This is why "pre-planning" is such a big deal now. It’s not just a sales pitch; it’s basically a way to lock in today’s prices so your kids aren't stuck with a massive bill while they're trying to process your departure.
Why the Hudson Location Matters
Hudson isn't just any small town. It's a mix of families who have been here for five generations and newcomers who moved up from the city three years ago. Bates & Anderson sits right in the middle of that tension. They have to be traditional enough for the old-school Hudson families who want a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Trinity, but flexible enough for someone who wants a secular, highly personalized celebration of life.
👉 See also: Walmart Distribution Red Bluff CA: What It’s Actually Like Working There Right Now
The facility at 110 Green Street is designed for that "hometown" feel. It’s not a sterile, corporate office. It’s a house. That matters when you're sitting in a room trying to decide what suit your father should be buried in.
Personalization is Trending
Kinda surprisingly, the industry is moving away from the "cookie-cutter" funeral. Bates & Anderson encourages people to bring in personal items. I’ve seen services where people displayed fishing gear, classic car photos, or even played unconventional music. They offer "moving tribute videos" and interactive online memorials. It’s a far cry from the somber, silent rooms of the 1950s.
The Veterans Factor
One area where Bates & Anderson specifically stakes its reputation is with veteran services. This isn't just about putting a flag on a coffin. There’s a specific protocol for coordinating with the National Cemetery system and ensuring the family receives the honors the deceased earned. They take care of the documentation to request those honors, which, if you’ve ever dealt with government bureaucracy, you know is a massive relief.
✨ Don't miss: Do You Have to Have Receipts for Tax Deductions: What Most People Get Wrong
What Most People Miss: The Aftercare
The funeral ends, the flowers go home, and everyone leaves. That’s usually when the real weight hits. One of the more useful things this funeral home offers is their grief and healing resources. They work with experts like Dr. Virginia Simpson to provide interactive videos and daily support messages.
Honestly, the "365 Days of Grief Support" is probably their most underrated service. Most people think the funeral home's job is done once the dirt is moved, but for the survivors, that’s just the beginning.
Actionable Steps if You’re Starting This Process
If you find yourself needing to contact Bates and Anderson Funeral Home Hudson NY, don't just wing it.
- Call (518) 828-3371 immediately. They are available 24/7. Don't wait for "business hours" if a death has occurred.
- Ask for the General Price List (GPL). By law, they have to give this to you. It prevents "sticker shock" later.
- Gather the Vital Stats. You’ll need the person’s social security number, parents' names (including mother's maiden name), and their place of birth for the death certificate.
- Decide on the "Big Three": Burial, Cremation, or Entombment. Everything else flows from that choice.
- Check for Pre-arrangements. Check the person’s filing cabinet or safe deposit box. They might have already paid for everything years ago.
Dealing with Bates & Anderson is about as straightforward as it gets in the funeral industry in Upstate New York. They’ve seen it all, from the complex multi-day wakes to the simplest of private cremations. Just remember that you have the right to ask questions about every single line item on that bill. You’re the boss of the service, and a good funeral director—like the ones at 110 Green Street—should act as your guide, not a salesman.
Keep a folder for all the paperwork you'll receive in the first 48 hours. You will get more receipts and permits than you expect, and having them in one spot will save you a massive headache when it comes time to settle the estate at the Columbia County courthouse later.