Montefiore Cemetery — Local services in New York

For some reason the fact that I had never visited my Grandparents graves began to weigh on me. Since I now live nearby, I figured it would be nice to finally pay them a visit. What an awful experience it was to visit Old Montefiore, a drab flat cheap plot of land without any visible landscaping. The place reeks of neglect and disorganization. Sure, there are a few well kept graves up front on the main thoroughfare but if you are unfortunate enough to be visiting the perimeters, you are in for a shock. The thoroughfares are covered with dirt, the paths desperately in need of repaving. There is zero organization, the signage either missing or turned around by vandals. The society gates have graffiti style scribbles on them made with Sharpies designating the gate numbers rather than anything even approaching aesthetic acceptability. They actually have vandalized these gates themselves in order to save a few bucks on proper markers. Worse yet is the care your loved ones graves receive. If you have been paying for Seasonal or Perpetual care and have not visited in a few years, you are in for an unpleasant surprise. Total neglect. Overgrowth with weeds, vines, poison ivy. Tombstones overturned. Plantings withered and dead. Apparently the business model here is to collect your care payments and pocket the money. Then, they attend to the squeaky wheels and invoice you for ever increasing amounts only to renew another cycle of neglect. Your best bet is to NOT PAY THEM A CENT. You are far better off doing the...

addendum to previous review: after contacting manager via email and sharing my experience, within hours the plot was weeded and trimmed. Most importantly was the video that they sent for me to actually see that work was done. Thank you so very much! I was also told that next time we plan to visit, contact the office and the plot will be weeded and trimmed prior to our visit. I will definitely do this. Thank you

Obviously no one at the cemetery cares about reviews since I have read the previous and they all seem similar to mine, however...... I visited my family's plot yesterday and was DISGUSTED at the sight. (Unfortunately we live 3 hours away and can't visit as frequently as we would like) The weeds were almost knee high, trash everywhere, but the most horrifying was seeing the large hole in the middle of the dead plantings on my Father's grave. SHAME ON YOU. I went to the office and was told by a "not so nice" receptionist that a work order for "inspection" would have to be done prior to any work. THEN a work order would have to be placed. Once work is complete I will be notified in 6 weeks. REALLY?? Again, no one clearly cares, but to any family members that will be visiting their family at Montifiore, come prepared, as we did. Bring your own weed wacker, gloves, broom and other tools to do the...

Do not pay for Perpetual Care. They take the money and do not maintain the graves at all. We paid Perpetual for multiple graves. These picture are from 9/10/23, the week before Rosh Hashana when they should be smart enough to know that many people are coming before the Holidays & at least clean it up before the Holidays. We complain every year, but it doesn't accomplish anything. They respond with the same response every time...'there was a lot of rain this season'. As you can see from these pictures, this is not a month growth... They probably didn't touch it the whole season. When we are in the office, we hear many, many people coming in & complaining of the same. They maintain the graves near the front of the cemetery and along the main roads, since that is what most people see. It's all a joke to them. Others have left similar reviews about the lack of maintenance, even when paying for Perpetual Care. We try to do the right thing with our parents & relatives, and think the graves will be maintained. They are absolutely NOT. No reason at all to pay for perpetual. Better to give the money to Charity in honor of your family member that passed!!! Shame on them!!! They take your money and do not do what...