Cemetery of the Holy Rood, Westbury NY

Planned a burial of cremated remains in an existing grave without the assistance of a funeral director. The staff at the cemetery prior to the burial were great and very responsive by phone and email. The experience, however, on the day of the burial was quite different. Documents had to be dropped off and payment had to be made, and you do this at the cemetery office, not with the agent that you’ve been dealing with throughout the planning process, but at one of three DMV style payment windows. The experience was off-putting and quite different from the nice customer service received during the planning process. It was very transactional by nature on the most highly emotional day of the whole process. I understand that they probably mostly deal with funeral directors who are not grieving the loss of a loved one, but if they are going to allow family members to plan burials, perhaps greater care could be given to dealing with that type of customer once on the grounds. Finally, the cemetery grounds are very nice, but the location on Old Country Road, which understandably they have little control over, is quite noisy depending on where you are in the cemetery and the views of strip mall signage strike me as an unpleasant way to spend eternity. Overall, the experience was cost-effective, especially since we didn’t have to pay for the services of a funeral director, and met our needs.

Christine Haddigan in the Westbury LI location on Old County Rd was an absolute angel. My family and I can’t thank her enough for her sincere kindness and helpfulness. She went above and beyond and we will be forever grateful to her and Catholic Cemeteries.

Great place to be buried and also great place to visit. Nicely maintained grounds! Unfortunately we all have to think of this at some point in our lives, and this cemetery would be my first choice.

During the worst of times, we had a wonderful experience with the staff of Holy Rood. They were patient and kind and the priest on site took the time to listen and gave a thoughtful speech at the service. Their billing system is a bit antiquated but their service makes up for it!

Have masses for the dead and support each other. Offer many types of services. The Cemetery of Holy Rood keeps the grounds clean.

Very attentive and pleasant staff. Peaceful and garden like surroundings. I have been coming since 1965 to visit dad and just had mom join him in 2022

We’ve been there for years. We have never had any problems. They were wonderful. This was the first time we went into the Chapel because it rained heavily. Torrential rains. They were wonderful. They were accommodating. And it was a small funeral but they treated us as if we were someone important. They greeted us. So kind and sweet and caring. Offered us peace and kind words and the chaplain was great.

Not crazy about the Rood. They have terrible hours. They close promptly at 5pm weekdays and go around the cemetery just leaning on the horn to get you out. I am not around on weekends so I have to leave work early. So many times I just wanted to move my loved one to another cemetery. There are no more plots left unless you bribe the cemetery people with cash under the table.

My family has been hear for decades. My grandfather 1942 my dad 1958 mom 1973 Aunt Ruth 1980s And my brother Jim Hunt 1996. I have Aunts and uncles as well. The staff is very business like very helpful and knowledgeable. The grands are perfection. Alway Happy.here ito visit

My best friend’s mom died during COVID in 2020. Her mother wanted to be in a niche. So my friend waited until April of this year to have a service with family and friends as the virus infection rate was still very high when her mom passed. She paid for a Service in the chapel, a niche, and engraving along with other administrative costs for a total of $4500. When we arrived at the cemetery a prayer service of a few minutes took place in the hallway near the niche. There was no service in the Chapel. There was so much noise that the deacon could barely be heard. My friend contacted the CEO who offered her $300 and a picture. The service was $1200! There was no place for her elderly and disabled family to sit.
When my friend and I went to see the engraving on the niche, the date of death was not correct. She emailed the CEO regarding the engraving. She was told it would be corrected ASAP. To date, the engraving is still the same without correction! I am so glad that my family is not in this cemetery and I would urge others to go elsewhere as they are lacking in compassion and care for those who are grieving! This is the most horrendous and Unchristian behavior I have every experienced from a Christian organization!

Only go to see my family. The staff isn't very nice.
As well as they cut down our rose bush.when all around us stones are covered by bushes.go figure

My mom passed away in the midst of Covid 2020. In March 2021, I purchased a niche, engraving, a chapel service, paid for the internment of ashes and administrative expenses. The chapel service was scheduled for 4/17/2021. The Chapel was allegedly overbooked. The deacon held a several minute prayer in the hallway, inclusive of disruptive noise, standing room only with no disability accommodations for elderly and disabled attendees. Some family members missed the hallway atrocity ss they went to the chapel not knowing where some of us were located. Further, it turns out the chapel was available during our 10am alotted time slot. The CEO was notified and offered $300 and a photo. The cost of the service was $1200! I requested a full refund and was declined. Thereafter, I discovered my mother's date of death was incorrectly etched on the glass covering of her niche. I notified the CEO several times via email and he was adamant about only a $300 refund and a photo. To date, my mother's date of death has not been corrected. The whole matter is disgusting, definitely not Christian behavior and has not been rectified. I am distressed over the mockery and disgraceful behavior of Catholic Cemeteries of Long Island and Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, NY. I have been beyond patient and myself and my family have been treated poorly and with no resolution that's fair and appropriate. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND CATHOLIC CEMETERIES OF LONG OSLAND / HOLY ROOD as an option for a resting place for anyone's loved ones! Further, the staff has been remiss in returning phone calls, even to my funeral director.

This cemetery is well kept, peaceful and beautiful. The office staff are compassionate and understanding.

My father has a lovely crypt there. Almost three months ago I purchased two plaques for the front i was told that it would be 8-10 weeks for them to go up. At the same time my mother purchased one. Hers was put up (the wrong one but it’s up). She has since had another added and my two have yet to be added. They CASHED MY CHECK RIGHT AWAY but they keep giving me excuses about why the” beloved father” and “rose” isn’t up. To make matters worse this weekend we have a mass for dad scheduled. What am I to do? I’m terribly terribly upset.

Have many family members there and I visit often. I want to be buried there one day, too. Grounds kept well. Pleasant staff.

Interesting Long Island Trivia - ‘The Unsinkable Molly Brown’ from the Titanic is buried at this cemetery with her ex husband. The grave is located relatively close to the church.