Rhoney Funeral Home, Inc.

07/02/2025

Ash Scattering Services

For families who have chosen cremation for a loved one, the next decision involves what to do with the remains. Some choose to keep the cremated remains in their home, have them placed in a columbarium niche at a local cemetery, or scatter the ashes in a meaningful place. Currently in New York State, there are no laws that prohibit the scattering of cremated remains on land. As long as there is permission from the land owner, scattering is permitted. The NYS Environmental Protection Agency does prohibit the scattering of cremains in fresh water.

Ash Scattering

Cremation provides families with more time to arrange where and how to scatter the ashes. While there is no policing agency overseeing scattering, there are some basics you should know:
If you plan on scattering ashes on private property, it's smart to receive written permission from the owner.
Public parks require that you obtain a scattering permit.
There are no regulations regarding ash scattering on uncontrolled public lands; you need to use your own judgment.
You should not scatter ashes within 100 yards of public roads or trails.
The cremation container must be disposed of separately and in an environmentally-safe manner.
Scattering ashes in inland waters is governed by the Clean Water Act so it's important to obtain a permit from the agency that oversees waterways.
Ash scattering at sea must be done at a minimum of three nautical miles from the coastline.
Any flowers or wreaths used in the ash scattering ceremony held at sea must decompose. No plastic flowers or other non-decomposable items should be left behind.
For ash scattering done at sea, the Environmental Protection Agency requires that you notify the regional office in writing within 30 days after the event.

06/12/2025

Please Be Aware: National Scam Targeting Grieving Families
Please know there is a nationwide scam being perpetrated on grieving families. The scam involves someone calling and acting like they are from a funeral home where the family is being served. The scammers can mask their real phone number on CallerID to show they are calling from the funeral home that served the family. This practice is called spoofing. They call families and demand payment for additional charges related to the funeral, and they ask for a credit card number. In general, please never give out a credit card number to someone calling you. If you receive a call like this, hang up, and call the funeral home directly and speak to your funeral director. Never use the phone number that is given to you from the person that called you.

08/14/2024

The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area is welcoming the community to tour the newly preserved Prophet Isaiah Second Coming House.

06/22/2024

https://www.buranichfuneralhome.com/obituaries/maurice-wightman

View Maurice C. Wightman's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/19/2024

03/22/2024

Want to be sure that your family doesn't have to pay for your funeral?

You can preplan your own funeral and pay for it in advance. But, before doing so, you should know about New York State's "laws that regulate prepaid funeral money." This brochure explains your rights under the law and the decisions you need to make when preplanning or prepaying your own funeral, or that of a friend or relative.

Are there advantages to preplanning funeral arrangements?
Yes. Preplanning can give you the opportunity to select a funeral service which will meet your needs and wishes It can reduce the concerns of your family or friends who would otherwise have to guess what you would have wanted for your funeral. A local funeral director can provide professional advice on this important matter

Are there advantages to prepaying funeral arrangements?

Yes. You can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the money needed for your funeral has been set aside. If the funeral director has guaranteed the funeral, your survivors will not have to worry about how to pay the bill. When you prepay, the funeral director will provide a Pre-Need Agreement which addresses many important matters, such as: how the final expenses will be determined; if additional funds will be needed when death occurs; what will happen if the merchandise selected is no longer available; and, what will happen if any money remains after the funeral bill is paid.

11/04/2023

https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/labuda-funeral-home-closes-after-108-years-in-niagara-falls/article_d847a352-78d1-11ee-b729-5bb31b24090b.html?fbclid=IwAR3fZiUVTQ6PDAfnsV-qRYKItgM2xnK01dc7StBHl7t9NKdewEyp5Y6FpEA_aem_AVes393c-c6D-W7zbabaRWI1O-9vTQMfEXiDv32_gIU07mC6jSVmdrLi-6GQ9-rPN5k

There have been many times over the years when Ed Labuda would have to break away from an afternoon of fishing or leave a holiday party or family event to