Dignity-Centered Memorialization

Enforces rules regarding the placement of decorations and memorial items, including limits on flower holders (two per grave), seasonal decoration removal after four weeks, and restrictions on decoration size to preserve the dignity and appearance of the grounds.

Operates as a non-sectarian cemetery providing death care services in the New York metropolitan area, including the management of burial plots and mausoleum structures such as the Chapel of Hope and the Summit Mausoleum, which offer entombment and inurnment options for individuals and families.

Supports family inquiries by providing burial and death records to assist with genealogical research.

Provides daily access to cemetery grounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round and ensures ongoing landscaping and maintenance of the grounds, including perpetual care covered through the purchase price of burial and entombment spaces.

Secured National Register of Historic Places designation for significant buildings, including the former St. Francis Xavier Church in Buffalo and the Sidway Boat House in Grand Island, to support preservation efforts.

Provides a venue for wedding ceremonies in a historic chapel with capacity for 550 guests, including rental fees and customization options. Also offers memorial and funeral services tailored to individual wishes, with participation from chosen religious officiants.

Provides docent-led and guided tours by appointment for students (fifth grade through college) and the general public, focusing on religious artifacts, stained glass windows, and statues. Tours are offered at the Buffalo Religious Arts Center with accessibility accommodations.

Runs a sponsorship program that allows donors to fund the restoration of specific religious artifacts, such as statues and stained glass windows, including the completed restoration of the St. Hedwig window from Queen of Peace Church.

Coordinates periodic cleanup events involving volunteers to maintain the grounds and facilities of the religious arts center.

Maintains a repository for religious art, including stained glass windows, statuary, and artifacts, from over 45 closed churches in the Buffalo area. The collection includes more than 50 stained-glass windows and over 100 artifacts pending restoration, displayed in a 12,000 square foot historic church building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Offers informational resources for visitors to the Buffalo Niagara region, including details on accommodations, transportation, dining, shopping, attractions, and meeting venues.

Offers training programs for volunteers to serve as docents conducting educational tours of the religious art collection.

Provides religious supervision of burial preparation, funerals, and burial plots in accordance with religious law, facilitating 154 burials in 2020, 142 in 2023, 93 in 2024, and 83 in 2025.

Imposes a winter maintenance fee from December 1st through March 31st. Charges per linear inch for foundation work with a minimum of 24 linear inches ($396.00), and fees for lettering permits.

Provides funeral and memorial services, including traditional and personalized options, with chapel use available for up to one hour. Offers celebrant services and memorialization without interment. Services are available on Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, with departures before or after 12:00 p.m.

Allocates a percentage of grave site and columbarium niche purchase prices to a Permanent Maintenance Fund, a permanently protected fund established to ensure long-term operation, care, and maintenance of the cemetery grounds.

Provides monument cleaning services for monuments up to 5 feet in height. Offers small and large pavers for the Veterans Memorial Walkway. Issues permits for lettering and provides bronze plaques for columbarium niches.

Operates a historic, not-for-profit cemetery in Highland Mills, New York, providing burial and interment services for individuals of all faiths in accordance with New York State law. Maintains grounds to ensure a peaceful and beautiful environment for visitors.