Losing someone is heavy. It's that kind of heavy that makes picking out a casket or deciding between cremation and burial feel like trying to climb a mountain in flip-flops. If you're in the Gloversville area, you've likely seen the name Walrath and Stewart Funeral Home NY on Fremont Street.
It’s been there forever. Well, since 1911, which in American business years is basically forever.
The Backstory You Probably Didn't Know
Most people think funeral homes are just these static buildings that have always existed exactly as they are. But the history of Walrath and Stewart is actually a bit of a local saga. It started with Willard B. Walrath. He founded W.B. Walrath & Company back when Gloversville was the glove-making capital of the world.
Fast forward a few decades. John Stewart enters the picture in 1978. He wasn't some corporate suit; he was a guy who graduated from Gloversville High School and went to Hudson Valley Community College. He literally worked his way up, became a licensed director in '82, and bought the place in '92.
Then came the big shift. In 2004, John and his partners merged five local businesses to form what is now known as Betz, Rossi, Bellinger and Stewart Family Funeral Homes.
What Actually Happens Inside?
Honestly, the "behind the scenes" of a funeral home is less about the macabre and more about logistics and therapy. When you call Walrath and Stewart, you're usually dealing with the "First Call." This is the moment a loved one passes, and the staff comes to bring them into their care.
They do the standard stuff, sure:
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- Embalming (which, fun fact, costs about $750 according to local price lists).
- Dressing and casketing.
- Coordinating with the cemetery for the outer burial container.
But they also do a lot of the modern "ShareLife" stuff. This is a bit of a buzzword in the industry, but basically, it means they try to make the service look less like a cookie-cutter wake and more like a tribute to who the person actually was. If the deceased loved the Adirondacks, they try to bring that vibe into the room. It’s about more than just black suits and organ music.
The Cost Factor: Let's Get Real
Funerals are expensive. There’s no way around it.
At Walrath and Stewart, basic services of the director and staff typically start around $1,895. If you add a funeral ceremony ($690) and a viewing ($680), the bill climbs fast. Direct cremation is often the "budget" route, sitting somewhere around $2,595 depending on the specific package.
People often get sticker shock because they forget about the "Cash Advances." These are things the funeral home pays for on your behalf—like the obituary in the local paper, the crematory fee (usually $350-$450), or death certificates. They don't make money on these; they just pass the cost through.
Why Do People Choose This Place?
Community roots go deep in Fulton County.
You aren't just a client number here. Because the staff lives in the area—people like Chris Stewart or the long-time directors who've been there for thirty years—they know the families. They know which church you go to. They know the local veterans' groups.
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Speaking of veterans, that’s a huge part of what they do. Coordinating with the VA for military honors isn't something you want to handle yourself while you're grieving. They manage the flag folding, the taps, and the honors at the graveside.
Modern Services: Green Burials and Crowdfunding
One thing that might surprise you is that they've moved into green burials.
Not everyone wants a heavy steel casket and a concrete vault. Some people want to go back to the earth naturally. Walrath and Stewart provides options for those who were environmentally conscious in life and want to stay that way in death.
They also help families with the financial side of things through crowdfunding. It’s basically like a GoFundMe but integrated directly into the obituary page. This helps avoid the awkwardness of sharing a random link on social media; people can donate directly to the funeral costs through the home's website.
What Most People Get Wrong About Pre-Planning
We all hate talking about death. It’s awkward. It’s scary.
But here’s the reality: if you don’t plan, your kids or your spouse have to make about 50 decisions in 24 hours while they are absolutely miserable. Pre-planning with a place like Walrath and Stewart Funeral Home NY isn't just about paying for it early (though you can do that with an irrevocable trust). It’s about writing down what you want.
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Do you want an open casket? Do you want to be cremated and scattered in the woods?
Putting this in a "Pre-Need" file means when the time comes, the family just has to show up. It takes the guesswork out of the worst day of their lives.
Real Talk: The Limitations
Look, it's a traditional funeral home.
If you're looking for a flashy, high-tech "celebration center" with a bar and a DJ, this might feel a bit traditional for you. Their facility at 51 Fremont Street is beautiful and dignified, but it is definitely "classic Gloversville." It has that historic, homey feel rather than a modern corporate vibe.
Also, because they are part of a larger family of homes (BRBS), you might deal with different staff members depending on the day. However, John Stewart and his team have kept the local feel alive even as the business grew.
Actionable Steps for Families in Gloversville
If you find yourself needing to contact them or are considering planning ahead, here is the most practical way to handle it:
- The First Call: If a death has occurred, call (518) 725-1121. They have a 24/7 answering service. You don't need to have all the answers right then; just tell them where your loved one is.
- Gather Documents: Before your first meeting, find the Social Security number, any military discharge papers (DD-214), and life insurance policies.
- Check the Website: Look through their recent obituaries. It gives you a sense of how they handle tributes and what the "ShareLife" personalization looks like in practice.
- Ask About eChecks: To save on credit card processing fees (which can be 3% or more on a $10,000 bill), ask if you can pay via ACH or eCheck.
- Request a General Price List (GPL): By law, they have to give you this. It breaks down every single charge so you can see exactly where the money is going.
Navigating the end of a life is never easy, but having a team that has been doing it for 115 years in the same neighborhood usually makes the process a lot less chaotic.