Local Items Of Interest
Crypt Purchased for Unclaimed Cremated Remains
On August 27, 2009, the Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association purchased a single crypt at White Haven Memorial Park in Pittsford, NY, to safely house unclaimed cremated remains (cremains) for member funeral firms. Several member funeral firms have had unclaimed cremains stored in their funeral homes for decades. New York State Law states cremated remains that have not been claimed at the funeral home by a relative or friend of the deceased person within one hundred twenty days from the date of cremation, may be disposed of by placement in a tomb, mausoleum, crypt, niche in a columbarium, burial in a cemetery, or scattering of the remains at sea. The Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association opted for the crypt for ease of the removal of cremains as needed. This single crypt purchased is an unmarked crypt from which, for an opening fee, a family or friend can come forward and have the funeral home that placed the cremains in the crypt obtain them. Cremains will only be released with the permission of the funeral home that placed them.
On a beautiful, hot and sunny day, June 2, 2010, the crypt was opened for the first time and 43 unclaimed cremains were placed inside by (4) member funeral firms. The member firms paid a small fee of $30 for each cremains’ temporary container and/or urn to be placed. This placement was overseen by the Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association Secretary/Treasurer, James Murray and Past President, Francis “Joe” Martin, Jr. White Haven Memorial Park has a list of the cremains and the funeral homes placing them, but the location or other information will not be available to the public.
Cremains will be placed annually in crypt on the month of June. The single crypt will accommodate a total of 140 – 144 cremains. White Haven Memorial Park has a “Supplier Membership” with the Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association.
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