When our mother passed away in early November after a 2.5 month battle with cancer, my brother and I were devastated. We had been by her side every step of the way, and the weight of grief was overwhelming. Though we planned to take a few days before making arrangements, I found myself searching for funeral homes that same night.
At first, the search was discouraging. In a city as stylish as NYC, I was shocked at the lack of tasteful funeral homes. Everything felt generic, outdated and impersonal. It was another emotional blow.
Determined to find something better, I discovered Sparrow, a contemporary funeral home in Brooklyn. Their beautifully designed space and commitment to personalized, top-tier service stood out. Though I hesitated due to location (most of our loved ones were in Uptown NYC), learning that Sparrow was featured in The New York Times as the only funeral home of its kind in the US convinced me we couldn’t pass it up.
The next morning, I reached out to Alexander, Sparrow’s funeral director.
From the start, Alexander was warm, knowledgeable and transparent. Unlike other funeral homes that push expensive add-ons, he genuinely guided me—even suggesting we reconsider our initial plan for a viewing (would’ve been more profitable for them) to ensure a more dignified experience for us.
When my husband, brother and I met with Alexander in person that week, what was meant to be a brief meeting turned into 4 hours of reflection, planning and heartfelt conversation.
On the day of the service, I expected to feel anxious, but instead, I felt at peace knowing Sparrow had everything covered.
The space was beautifully transformed: walls and tables were adorned with framed photos of our mom; a long table displayed her cherished keepsakes; and 2 lime citrus trees stood tall beside her bamboo casket (a nod to her love of limeade), surrounded by glowing candles.
Indigenous Peruvian music played softly, adding a deeply personal touch. A slideshow of photos played before the service, concluding with a beautifully edited video montage. Not a single technical issue arose thanks to the videographer and sound technician Sparrow hired.
The reception was just as flawless. My cousin oversaw the food, while Sparrow ensured everything was perfectly presented. Alexander even remembered our mom's love for Levain cookies and had them at the service—a thoughtful surprise that meant the world to us.
Guests who attended in person and even those who watched the livestream say it was the most thoughtful and unique service they have ever experienced—some even saying they want something like it when their time comes.
The next day, Alexander guided us through the cremation process. None of us had been through this before, but his support made all the difference. Instead of feeling lost, we felt a deep sense of trust and reassurance.
And Sparrow’s care didn’t stop there. Rather than leaving us to retrieve my mother’s 50+ framed photos and memorabilia, Alexander personally delivered everything to our doorstep, perfectly wrapped and organized.
Not once did we feel rushed or pressured by Sparrow. They encouraged us to take our time as we processed our loss. We weren’t able to pick up our mother’s ashes until January, for example, and it wasn’t at all a problem. Alexander, instead, took time to educate us on different options for her ashes, like turning them into pebbles or diamonds. We ultimately chose beautiful vessels handcrafted by local artists Sparrow has partnered with.
Fulfilling our mom’s final wish, we plan to scatter part of her ashes over the Pacific Ocean in Lima, Peru. Once again, Alexander has offered to guide us through the process for transporting ashes abroad when we’re set to travel there.
There is truly nothing negative to say about our experience. We wholeheartedly vouch for Sparrow when it comes to providing the highest level of care and service during one of life’s most difficult experiences. If you’re in the tri-state area, look no further than Sparrow to honor your loved one with style, dignity and grace.
