There are many different funeral directors in the Kingston area, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Here are a few of the more popular options: Simpson-Hammerl Funeral Home, Harry VanVliet, and Jim Gilpatric. All of these options have excellent reputations, and we recommend them for your service. These funeral homes also have a long history of caring for the community.
Harry VanVliet
Gilpatric-VanVliet Funeral Home is a family owned and operated business that has been professionally guiding generations of families since 1872. This cape cod style funeral home is located in Esopus, NY, which is between New Paltz and Kingston. It is rated highly on Google, and has many positive comments on Facebook. If you are in need of a funeral home, don’t look any further than Gilpatric-Vliet Funeral Home.
In addition to serving as a funeral director, Harry is also a member of the Hudson Valley Community College Mortuary Science Association. In addition, he is active in the Esopus community, serving as president of the Esopus Senior Club, and serving on the board of the Klyne-Esopus Historical Society. He is married to Gina, a registered nurse, and has two children, Taylor and Matthew, who both graduated from high school.
Jim Gilpatric
The Jim Gilpatric, Kingston Funeral Directors are a family owned and operated funeral home in Esopus, NY. Since 1872, they have professionally guided many generations of families. The funeral home is situated in the cape cod style town of Esopus, NY, on the west bank of the Hudson River. The funeral home is proud of its high customer rating, as it has received positive comments from many families.
The funeral home was founded by James M. Murphy in 1872. In 1972, the family business changed its name to Gilpatric-Murphy. The four-generation family business merged the old and new aspects. In 2005, Jim Gilpatric sold his two-story green and white funeral home building and moved his business to another location in Kingston. The new location is handicap accessible and features a spacious chapel. The funeral home also offers ample parking, which is lighted.
James M. Murphy
The family of James M. Murphy, Kingston Funeral Directors, has lost its patriarch. John Murphy was born in Kingston in 1872. He attended the Christian Brothers Academy and was a member of St. Mary’s Church throughout his life. He later attended the Renouard Training School for Embalmers in New York and received his embalming certificate. In his later years, Murphy was associated with the New York Edison Corporation.
On October 25, 1972, the funeral home celebrated its centennial. As a result, the firm changed its name to Gilpatric-Murphy Funeral Home. This four-generation firm merged the old and new aspects of its business. The funeral home moved into a new facility in 2005. It is a landmark on the Kingston waterfront, and it is handicapped-accessible. The funeral home also offers plenty of lighted parking and is handicapped accessible.
Simpson-Hammerl Funeral Home
When it comes to planning a funeral, you may want to consider the services of funeral directors in Kingston, NY. The staff at Simpson-Hammerl Funeral Home will make sure that all of your loved one’s needs are taken care of. Whether you need a simple burial or a funeral with a full-fledged ceremony, you can count on the funeral directors at Simpson-Hammerl Funeral Home to help you find the right service.

While the traditional style of service is the default at a funeral home, you may also opt for a more personalized service. These funeral directors will make sure that your loved one’s service acknowledges the life they lived. Their address is 411 Albany Ave. In Kingston, NY, you can visit them in person. They will gladly answer all of your questions. Visiting them is easy, and they will make sure that you are comfortable with the process.
Kingston Funeral Directors – Funeral Celebrant
When you are looking for a firm to handle the service of a loved one, you might consider a company that offers a variety of services. One of these services is funeral celebrant. They can help you plan a ceremony that is meaningful to the deceased and reflects your beliefs and values. Cremation services are another service that Kingston Funeral Directors offers. Cremation services are the simplest way to pay respect to a loved one and are often the most affordable option.
Kevin is a retired funeral celebrant
Kevin Dawson has been a licensed funeral director with Kingston Funeral Directors for the past 25 years. He earned his license at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. He has served on the board of Ulster County Cerebral Palsy and is a past president of the Kingston Kiwanis Club. He also belongs to the N.Y.S. Funeral Directors Association and the Capital District Funeral Directors Association.
Born in Trenton, Iowa, Kevin was raised in the White Horse section of Hamilton and then moved to Bordentown Township. He married Christine, his wife of 30 years. The two met in the funeral business and had three children. Kevin worked for the family business before becoming a funeral director. After graduating from Hamilton High School West, he joined the Kingston Funeral Directors in 1983. His love for the profession led him to serve families in the area.
Angelina is a recent addition to the firm
Angelina is a recent addition to the staff of Kingston Funeral Directors – she is working towards her residency and hopes to be a celebrant by the time she finishes. Angelina attended Kingston High School and continued her education at SUNY Ulster. She also completed a Mortuary Science Program at Hudson Valley Community College. She currently resides in Port Ewen with her fiance. When not at work, she enjoys hiking, spending time with her family, and preparing delicious meals for her clients.
Eric C. Keyser is the fifth generation of funeral directors in the Keyser family
The funeral home is a family-run business, serving Kingston, Port Ewen and surrounding communities. For over 50 years, the Keyser family has placed a high priority on providing families with outstanding service. This family-run business gives each family the personal attention they deserve and will work to ensure that your loved one’s wishes are fulfilled. This family-owned business is part of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce and serves the local community with exceptional service.
Eric C. Keyser joined the family business in 1974. He holds a Certificate of Funeral Service Practice. He is an active member of the Kingston community. He lives in Kingston with his wife, Beth. They enjoy spending time with their family. Eric also enjoys playing golf and fishing. He and his wife are active in local community groups and organizations. Eric and Beth also have a son and a daughter-in-law.
Choosing a funeral director should be flexible
Before you hire a funeral director, consider whether you can work with them on certain changes. Although some funeral directors welcome the new rules, some may not. In Massachusetts, for instance, changes to regulations were initiated in March by Gov. Deval Patrick to streamline the rules for small businesses. The state’s agencies have since reviewed over 200 regulations to ensure that they still reflect the needs of consumers. This can help you make a more informed choice about which funeral director to hire.
Another factor to consider is whether you want a religious service. Traditional religious services will depend on your beliefs and expectations, and your funeral director will be the first person to contact the celebrant of your choice. However, many families are now choosing non-religious services in which the focus is on the life of the deceased, rather than on religious traditions. Humanist services, in particular, often feature poetry, while some humanist celebrants will also accommodate religious content.