Losing someone is a blur. One minute you're sitting in a hospital hallway or a quiet living room, and the next, you’re expected to make roughly 150 decisions about caskets, flowers, and "memorial DVD" transitions. It's a lot. In the Rochester area, the name Harris Funeral Home comes up constantly, and honestly, it’s not just because they’ve been around forever. It’s because in a world of corporate-owned "death care" conglomerates, they’ve managed to stay stubbornly independent and family-run since 1946.
That’s basically forever in small business years.
When Paul W. Harris started the place on Clifford Avenue, he was serving a specific need for the Ukrainian community. He used the first floor for the business and lived on the second floor with his family. You don't see that much anymore. Nowadays, the firm is over on Kings Highway South in Irondequoit, and it’s run by the second and third generations of the family. Rick Harris and his team are usually the ones you'll see walking you through the logistics.
What Sets Harris Funeral Home in Rochester NY Apart?
Most people think all funeral homes are the same. They aren't. If you go to a corporate-owned home, the person helping you might be a regional manager who lives three towns over. At Harris Funeral Home in Rochester NY, the people behind the desk are usually the ones whose names are on the sign.
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They have this policy—and I'm not making this up—where if you aren't satisfied with a specific part of their service, they’ll just refund you for that portion. It’s a "Personal Guarantee" that you rarely see in this industry. Usually, once the service is over, the bill is the bill.
The Ukrainian Connection and Local Roots
The history here is kinda fascinating. Paul Harris was born to Ukrainian immigrants (the original family name was Harasymchuk). He grew up in Rochester, went to Benjamin Franklin High School, and served as a medical lab tech in WWII before coming back to open the first Ukrainian funeral home in the area.
Even though they serve everyone now, they still have deep ties to local parishes like St. Josaphat’s. That sense of "community-first" isn't just a marketing slogan; it's baked into how they handle things like the Honor Guard for veterans or coordinating with local churches.
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The Reality of Costs and Choices
Let's talk money, because that's usually the biggest stressor. Honestly, funerals are expensive. According to general price lists for the area, a traditional service—including the director’s fee, embalming, a ceremony, and a hearse—can easily hover around $6,000 before you even buy a casket or a burial plot.
- Direct Cremation: This is the most "no-frills" option. It’s usually the most affordable path if you don't want a viewing or a formal service.
- Traditional Burial: This involves the whole nine yards—calling hours, a service at the home or a church, and a procession to the cemetery.
- Memorial Services: Sometimes people do the cremation first and then hold a celebration of life later. It’s becoming way more common in Rochester lately.
One thing Harris does that's pretty unique is their "Pets at Peace" division. They were actually the first licensed funeral home in New York State to offer pet cremation services on-site. If you've ever lost a dog or a cat, you know they're basically family, so having a professional funeral home handle that—instead of a backyard burial or a vet's third-party service—is a big deal for a lot of people.
Navigating the "New" Funeral Landscape
The industry is changing. Fast. You’ve probably noticed that fewer people want the "dark room with heavy curtains" vibe. Harris has leaned into this with their Family Center, which is designed for receptions and memorial gatherings that feel a bit more like a celebration than a tragedy. They even offer a complimentary continental breakfast for families on the morning of a service. It's a small touch, but when you haven't slept and you're trying to remember where you put your shoes, someone giving you coffee and a bagel is a godsend.
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Real Talk on Reviews
If you look at what people in Rochester are saying, the word "professional" comes up a lot, but so does "grace." People like Robin DeMarco and George Lipani have shared stories about how the staff handled everything from Social Security notifications to the military honors. It’s the paperwork that kills you when you’re grieving. Having someone else say, "I've got the death certificates and the insurance forms handled," is worth its weight in gold.
Essential Steps if You're Planning Now
If you find yourself needing to call Harris Funeral Home in Rochester NY, or any home for that matter, don't just wing it.
- Check for Pre-Plans: Before you sign anything, look through the deceased’s files. Many people in Rochester pre-plan with Harris to lock in prices and spare their kids the headache.
- Ask for the GPL: That stands for General Price List. By law, they have to give it to you. Look at it. Compare the line items.
- Think About Personalization: Don't feel stuck in a "cookie-cutter" box. If your dad loved 70s rock or wanted everyone to wear Buffalo Bills jerseys, say so. Harris is pretty open to making the service reflect the person, not just the tradition.
- The Pet Factor: If you're dealing with the loss of a pet, remember that the "Pets at Peace" facility is on the same grounds. It’s a separate, dedicated space but handled with the same level of licensing as the human side.
The most important thing to remember is that you have time. Even though it feels like everything has to happen in the next ten minutes, you can take a breath. Talk to Rick or the staff, ask the "dumb" questions about cremation versus burial, and don't let anyone pressure you into a casket you can't afford.
If you need to reach them, they’re at 570 Kings Highway South. You can call them 24/7 at (585) 544-2041. Most people just start by looking through the online obituaries on their site to get a feel for how they handle tributes. Start there, take a look at the current services, and see if the way they honor people resonates with what you're looking for.