What to Expect Near the End of Life (General patterns, not predictions)
Weeks to Months: Increased fatigue and sleeping, Less interest in food and activity, More inward focus, Periods of confusion or forgetfulness.
Days to Weeks: Minimal appetite or thirst, Long stretches of sleep, Changes in breathing, Less verbal interaction.
Hours to Days: Irregular breathing or long pauses, Cool hands and feet, Changes in skin color, Minimal responsiveness, Hearing may still be present.
Preparing for Death as It Approaches
Medical & Practical Preparation: Confirm health-care proxy and advance directives are in place; Keep hospice or medical contact information accessible; Discuss wishes for after death (burial, cremation, green options); Identify a funeral home as far in advance as possible.
Emotional & Relational Preparation: Say what feels unfinished or meaningful; Offer forgiveness, gratitude, reassurance; Allow silence when words are no longer needed
Environmental Preparation: Gather meaningful music, objects, or photos; Reduce noise and unnecessary stimulation; Create a calm, familiar space.
What to Do Immediately After a Death (New York State)
If Hospice Is Involved: Call hospice upon natural death; Hospice will pronounce death and guide next steps. Hospice may coordinate with the funeral home if arrangements are in place. If Hospice Is Not Involved call the primary care provider or on-call physician. If no provider is available, call 911 and state the death was expected or natural. Contact the chosen funeral home or prior arrangements.
Body Disposition Options & Planning (New York State)
Families may choose: Traditional burial, Cremation, Green burial at designated cemeteries, Alkaline hydrolysis (where available). Families may also spend time with the body before transport, or hold vigils or rituals, where permitted and desired.
Local and Regional Resources (Albany, Troy, and Capital Region, New York)
**********************************************************************************************
Hospice & Palliative Care
The Community Hospice 445 New Karner Rd Albany, NY 12205 Phone: (518) 724-0242 Website: https://www.communityhospice.org
Community Hospice Inn 315 S Manning Blvd Albany, NY 12208 Phone: (518) 724-0242 Website: https://www.communityhospice.org
Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State 119 Washington Ave, Suite 302 Albany, NY 12210 Phone: (518) 446-1483 Website: https://www.hpcanys.org
Bereavement & Grief Support
The Community Hospice – Adult and pediatric Grief Support Services 445 New Karner Rd Albany, NY 12205 Phone: (518) 724-0242 Website: https://www.communityhospice.org/grief-support
Funeral Homes & Cremation Services
Riverview Funeral Home 218 2nd Ave Troy, NY 12180 Phone: (518) 273-9050 Website: https://www.theriverviewfuneralhome.com
McLoughlin & Mason Funeral Home 8 109th St Troy, NY 12182 Phone: (518) 235-1722 Website: https://www.mcloughlinmason.com
Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Ave Troy, NY 12180 Phone: (518) 274-7676 Website: https://www.brycefuneralhome.com
John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc. 565 4th Ave Troy, NY 12182 Phone: (518) 274-3064 Website: http://johnj.sanvidgefuneralhome.com
William Leahy Funeral Home 336 3rd St Troy, NY 12180 Phone: (518) 272-2265 Website: https://www.williamleahyfuneralhome.com
Simple Choices Cremation Service 218 2nd Ave Troy, NY 12180 Phone: (518) 270-0300 Website: https://www.simplechoicescremation.com
Konicek & Collett Funeral Home, LLC 1855 12th Ave Watervliet, NY 12189 Phone: (518) 274-4518 Website: http://www.konicekandcollettfuneralhome.com
Parker Brothers Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. 2013 Broadway Watervliet, NY 12189 Phone: (518) 274-8500 Website: http://www.parkerbrosmemorial.com
New Comer Funerals & Cremations 343 New Karner Rd Albany, NY 12205 Phone: (518) 456-4442 Website: http://www.newcomeralbany.com
Cannon Funeral Home 2020 Central Ave Albany, NY 12205 Phone: (518) 438-4301 Website: http://www.cannonfuneral.com
*********************************************************************************************
Burial & Cemetery Options
Oakwood Cemetery 50 101st St, Troy, NY 12180 Phone: (518) 272-7520 Website: http://oakwoodcemetery.org/
St. Mary’s Cemetery 79 Brunswick Rd, Troy, NY 12180 Phone: (518) 463-0134 Website: https://www.capitaldistrictcemeteries.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp-troy&utm_id=local&utm_content=troy
Berith Sholom Cemetery 167 3rd St, Troy, NY 12180 Phone: Not listed Website: https://berithsholom.org/
Elmwood Hill Cemetery 51 Belle Ave, Troy, NY 12180 Phone: Not listed Website: Not listed
St. John’s Cemetery 250 Cemetery Rd, Troy, NY 12180 Phone: Not listed Website: https://www.capitaldistrictcemeteries.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp-cemetery-rd&utm_id=local&utm_content=cemetery-rd
St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery 958 Spring Ave Ext, Troy, NY 12180 Phone: Not listed Website: https://www.capitaldistrictcemeteries.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp-spring-avenue&utm_id=local&utm_content=spring-avenue
Albany Rural Cemetery 3 Cemetery Ave Albany, NY 12204 Phone: (518) 465-0351 Website: http://albanyruralcemetery.org
Our Lady of Angels Cemetery 1389 Central Ave, Colonie, NY 12205 Phone: (518) 785-0248 Website: https://www.capitaldistrictcemeteries.org
Graceland Cemetery 680 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY 12209 Phone: (518) 465-0391 Website: http://www.graceland-cemetery.org
Vale Cemetery Association 907 State St, Schenectady, NY 12307 Phone: (518) 374-0263 Website: https://valecemetery.org
Natural & Green Burial Preserves
Albany Rural Cemetery 3 Cemetery Ave, Albany, NY 12204 Phone: (518) 463-7018 Website: https://albanyruralcemetery.org
Albany Diocesan Cemeteries 48 Cemetery Ave, Menands, NY 12204 Phone: (518) 465-1693 Website: https://www.capitaldistrictcemeteries.org
Calvary Cemetery 481 US-9W, Glenmont, NY 12077 Phone: (518) 465-1693
Website: https://www.capitaldistrictcemeteries.org
Fultonville Cemetery and Natural Burial Ground 26 Upper Mohawk St, Fultonville, NY 12072 Phone: (local contact via Facebook) Website:https://www.facebook.com/fultonvillecemetery
**Many traditional funeral homes can help coordinate eco-friendly burial options even if they don’t hold green burial sections themselves.
Aquamation (water cremation / alkaline hydrolysis) is not currently regulated for human remains in New York State; families interested in truly alternative disposition may need to inquire about out-of-state coordination or human composting services through local funeral directors.