Business Details
47 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Funeral Services in Syracuse, NY
Hollis Funeral Home has been a trusted provider of traditional and cremation services in Syracuse, New York, since 1979. Founded by Charles F. Hollis, a 1975 graduate of Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science, our business is built on decades of experience and a commitment to compassionate care. We specialize in creating personalized funeral services that honor the unique lives of those we serve, whether through traditional religious ceremonies, military honors, or non-traditional life celebrations. Our team, including licensed funeral director and embalmer Eileen Hollis, prioritizes transparency, ethical practices, and community engagement, ensuring families receive both professional expertise and heartfelt support during difficult times. With a focus on environmental responsibility and modern innovations, such as social media education about end-of-life care, we blend tradition with contemporary needs.Our facility, housed in a historic 1892 building, offers a dignified setting for visitations, memorials, and grief support. We provide comprehensive pre-planning services to alleviate future burdens on families, emphasizing the importance of advance arrangements. Our reputation for fairness, attention to detail, and refusal to upsell unnecessary services has earned us enduring trust in the community. From cremation options to burial planning, we guide families through every step with clarity and respect. For over 40 years, our mission has remained unchanged: to deliver exceptional service rooted in the values of integrity, empathy, and excellence.
Services
Cremation Services
Burial Services
Pre-Planning Consultations
Obituary Writing
Grief Counseling
Details
- Year established: 1979
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of experience in traditional and cremation services.
- Our team includes licensed funeral directors and embalmers with specialized training.
- We prioritize transparency with no hidden fees or upselling.
- Our facility combines historic charm with modern amenities for dignified services.
- We provide free grief resources and community-focused support programs.
What people say
Exceptional compassion
Transparent pricing
Personalized memorials
Professional staff
Grief support resources
Services
Cremation Services
Cremation services provide an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional burial, with options for memorialization and ash disposition. Our staff guides families through choices for urns, scattering, or interment while respecting cultural and religious preferences. We ensure transparent pricing and personalized arrangements for direct cremation or ceremonies with visitation.
Burial Services
Traditional burial services include visitation, funeral ceremonies, and earth or mausoleum interment. We assist with casket selection, cemetery arrangements, and memorial customization while adhering to family traditions. Our expertise ensures compliance with legal requirements and provides options for grave markers or columbarium placements.
Pre-Planning Consultations
Pre-planning consultations help individuals document funeral wishes to ease future burdens on families. We offer guidance on service options, cost guarantees, and legal documentation while maintaining confidentiality. This proactive approach ensures personal preferences are honored and financial planning is simplified for loved ones.
Obituary Writing
Professional obituary writing services craft personalized tributes highlighting the deceased's life achievements and legacy. We collaborate with families to include biographical details, service information, and meaningful anecdotes. Our team ensures accuracy and sensitivity while meeting publication deadlines for print or online platforms.
Grief Counseling
Grief counseling resources connect families with professional support groups and community programs. We provide educational materials on coping strategies and facilitate access to specialized care for children or trauma-related loss. Our ongoing partnerships with local organizations ensure long-term support beyond the funeral service.
People
Charles F. Hollis
Owner/Funeral Director
A 1975 Simmons School of Embalming graduate, Charles has served Syracuse since 1976. He combines four decades of experience with community leadership roles, including past president of the Onondaga-Oswego Funeral Directors' Association. His approach emphasizes personalized service rooted in family values.
Eileen Hollis
Funeral Director and Embalmer
Eileen, a SUNY Brockport graduate with a mortuary science degree from HVCC, became licensed in 2017. She uses social media to educate about funeral services and plans to continue her father's legacy. Her expertise includes restorative art and compassionate family support.
Bob Bregande
Staff Member
Bob has worked with Hollis since 2015, bringing local knowledge and a personable approach to family interactions. A lifelong Syracuse resident, he contributes to the team's reputation for warmth and reliability through his community connections and dedication to service excellence.
Questions
What types of funeral services do you offer?
We provide traditional burial services, cremation options, and customized memorials. Our team works with families to create personalized ceremonies that honor cultural, religious, or unique preferences while offering guidance on legal and logistical requirements.
Can I pre-plan my funeral arrangements?
Yes, we offer comprehensive pre-planning consultations to document your wishes and ease future burdens on loved ones. This includes cost guarantees, service customization, and legal documentation to ensure your preferences are honored.
Are cremation services more affordable than traditional funerals?
Cremation typically costs less than burial, with options starting around $1,000. We provide transparent pricing for all services, including cremation packages that may include visitation, urn selection, and memorialization options.
How do you support families after the funeral?
We provide grief resources, connect families with counseling programs, and offer follow-up support. Our community partnerships ensure access to specialized care, including resources for children coping with loss and long-term bereavement support.
Can you help with out-of-town arrangements?
Yes, we coordinate transportation of remains from anywhere in the world and manage all logistics for repatriation. Our 24/7 availability ensures seamless arrangements for families relocating remains to or from the Syracuse area.
What distinguishes your funeral home?
Our combination of four decades of experience, family-owned operation, and innovative approaches like social media education set us apart. We prioritize transparency, ethical practices, and personalized service while maintaining a historic yet modern facility.
