About Us

Our Philosophy

“Lessons from Dad”

By Lee Shurtleff, Licensed Funeral Director

After my father, Phil E. Shurtleff , moved to the area with our family in 1960, he operated

various enterprises in addition to serving in the funeral profession. Over the years, furniture,

real estate, and insurance sales, chicken farming and a convenience store were all a part of the

mix.

Once I graduated from Groton Central School and had enrolled full-time at SUNY Cortland, I

obtained a real estate broker’s license and joined Dad in operating N E A Realty of Groton for

the next 25 years.

Dad’s business model at N E A was as straight-forward as he was: first, we served the local

communities where we knew the folks, their families, and their needs, and, secondly, it was our

mission to fulfill their desires for the properties or businesses that would best suit their needs

and at the prices they could afford.

I can genuinely attest that over those 25 years, no two properties, no two buyers, nor any two

sellers were ever quite the same! Where some desired many acres, others hoped for a hobby

farm. Some sought “starter homes,” when others wanted to downsize and better enjoy their

“golden years.” We had customers whose families grew and needed more room, with some

seeking a traditional setting, and others wanting something a bit more contemporary.

In each situation, we would guide our clients to a solution that met both their needs and their

capabilities.

When it came to the funeral service, Dad instilled in us these same principles: we were

directed to know our customers, to serve the local communities, to understand their needs,

and to help guide them to the most appropriate and affordable solutions.

At Shurtleff Funeral Home, we maintain this philosophy, providing personal attention and

offering affordable options at your time of loss and need.

Our legacy at Shurtleff Funeral Home is service to our neighbors and friends throughout

southern Cayuga and northeast Tompkins Counties.

Your Options are Many

Please do not be misled into thinking that you have only two options when a

death occurs, and that you must select either a “traditional” funeral service or a

“simple” cremation. This is not at all true!

In fact, when the loss occurs, there is no single “right” or “wrong” way to handle a

loved one’s final arrangements. At Shurtleff Funeral Home, your options are

many, and a “farewell” can be customized to meet your own needs and

circumstances.

Consider these examples of the services we can and do provide:

 a funeral with a viewing of the deceased, followed by burial in a

cemetery

 services and/or visitation at our funeral home, a church, or another

location, with or without the deceased present

 calling hours/visitation, with or without viewing of the deceased

 a graveside prayer service, committal, or remembrance at the time

of, or even after, an interment

 direct cremation, with no formal viewing or services

 a cremation, followed with a memorial service or a celebration at a

church, funeral home, graveside, home, or other gathering place

 a formal or informal viewing of the body and/or funeral service

followed with cremation of the body

Other options that can be considered include a natural (“green”) burial, an

anatomical donation of the body to a medical school, or a direct burial at a

requested cemetery with limited services, or no services at all.

Consider also, that the time of year, distance of those who mourn, varying

seasons and weather conditions may all factor into your decision of when, where,

how and even if to gather, memorialize or further celebrate your loved one.

We respect that these decisions and the options you may choose will reflect the

values, beliefs, traditions, and personal needs, not only of the deceased, but also

for those who survive. Therefore,

At Shurtleff Funeral Home, We strive to meet your needs and provide

you with options to care for, and to honor those you love.