5854 Belle Isle Rd, Syracuse, NY, 13209
You're not expected to know this. These questions help you compare and avoid surprises.
“Can I see your General Price List?”
Federal law (FTC Funeral Rule) requires them to give you itemized pricing. You have every right to ask.
“Do you accept insurance assignment?”
Ask whether assignment is available for your policy and location, what fees apply, and what you must pay upfront. MedaSynq does not arrange assignments.
“What's included vs. what's extra?”
Packages may not include everything. Ask about the casket, embalming, transportation, facility fees, and death certificate copies.
Know Your Rights
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must give price information by telephone and a written General Price List when you visit in person. Federal law does not require them to send the list by mail or email. You can select individual goods and services and use a casket purchased elsewhere.
Average in New York
$3,368 – $10,595
Source: NFDA 2023 · Direct cremation to traditional burial
Funerals in this area run $3,368–$10,595. If your family knows of a life insurance policy, Claim Assist can help file and follow up on the claim. The insurer decides whether to pay. There is no upfront fee; separate service terms apply.
“My Mother had set up her Funeral with another local Funeral Service and as a family, we decided to move her Funeral to have it with Whelan Bros & Hulchanski Funeral Home and I am so glad I did. Their service was so personalized and they handled everything perfectly! Phone calls just to make sure I was happy with everything and the presentation of the urn was amazing. I had AMK Floral do the flowers and I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful arrangement. It's a one stop business, I did nothing except honor my Mom. My Brother and I will be forever grateful to the Hulchanski Family!”
— Debra Lawrence
“They talk about seeing customers as family but don't believe it for a second. My family had been personal friends of the Whelan family for all of my 60+ years. Even so, they demanded full payment up front, even after being told the deceased's bank accounts had been frozen upon death. This is a very common thing that banks do so any funeral home should expect it. Yet they wouldn't trust us, their actual friends, to make a down-payment and full payment as soon as the money was unfrozen. They swindled us with the 'pick out the coffin & then we'll tell you the rest of the prices' trick. In other words 'we're pumping up the prices while telling you this is what your loved one deserved & would want'. As if the (surely identical) service of the attendants & other parts of the package should cost more with this coffin and less with that one. Then they kept trying to open the casket in front of the family after being told not to many times - maybe looking for compliments on the make-up job? We were bowled right over by all of this on top of our grief, especially coming from 'close family friends'. It was a horrible experience. Wouldn't let them bury a skunk if I had one.”
— shannon k
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— Jason Taylor
If your family knows of a life insurance policy, Claim Assist can help file and follow up on the claim. No upfront fee; the service fee and terms are disclosed before you enroll.
Are you Whelan Bros & Hulchanski Funeral Home?
Claim and verify your free listing to show your services and pricing and receive family requests. Optional services have separate terms.
Claim your free listing“Do you offer payment plans?”
Many funeral homes allow you to spread the cost over time. Ask about down payments, terms, and financing options.