In Our Community | Forastiere Family Funeral & Cremation
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In Our Community

We strive to be a part of our local communities through outreaches, seminars, and events. 

Stay updated on what we've been up to and events coming up by checking the calendar at the bottom of this page, following us on Facebook or Instagram, or getting added to our email list! 

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Breathing Through Grief: A Grief Support Event -  When you lose a loved one, even something as simple as breathing can be difficult. That's why we are partnering with Heartsong Yoga of East Longmeadow to come together for an evening of focused breathing. You will learn breathing techniques and simple stretches that you can utilize on your grief journey for the more difficult days. This is a FREE event. No yoga mat or experience required. All breathing and stretching exercises will be done in chairs. Held Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA. To register, click here. 

Lunch & Learn (Pre-Planning 101) - Join us as our Pre-Planning Director, Gary Szewcyzk, discusses the benefits to pre-planning your funeral services. Held Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 12:00pm at the Hampden Village Community Center in Westfield, Ma. Call the Hampden Village Community Center to register. 

Lunch & Learn (Burial or Cremation?) - Join us for a free lunch as our Pre-Planning Director, Gary Szewcyzk, discusses your options for burial, cremation, or both! Held Friday, April 14, 2023 at 12:00pm at the Agawam Senior Center in Agawam, MA. Call the Agawam Senior Center to register. 

Lunch & Learn (Pre-Planning 101) - Join us for a free lunch as our Pre-Planning Director, Gary Szewcyzk, discusses the benefits to pre-planning your funeral services. Held Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 12:00pm at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield, Ma. Call Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing to register. 

Honoring Mom: A Floral Arrangement Workshop - Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation and Blooms Flower Truck are coming together for a special Mother's Day flower arrangement workshop. All are welcome to attend. Whether you come to make an arrangement to honor mom's memory or you come with mom as a special activity, we would love to have you join us. Registration is required with a registration fee of $45. Space is limited. Registration closes once capacity is reached. Held Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St, East Longmeadow, MA from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Click here to register. 

Lunch & Learn (Pre-Planning 101) - Join us for a free lunch as our Pre-Planning Director, Gary Szewcyzk, discusses the benefits to pre-planning your funeral services. Held Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 12:00pm at Hampden Senior Center in Hampden, MA. Call Hampden Senior Center to register. 

Lunch & Learn (Pre-Planning 101) - Join us for a free lunch as our Pre-Planning Director, Gary Szewcyzk, discusses the benefits to pre-planning your funeral services. Held Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 9:30am at Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center in Springfield, Ma. Call Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center to register. 

We loved having Danell Tavella from Pleasant View Senior Center and Nicole Matson from Home Helpers Home Care join us for an evening of Resources and Refreshments! 

They spoke on valuable information for Senior Citizens in the area, covering topics such as Home Care, Dementia Care, SNAP Benefits, Benefits at the East Longmeadow Senior Center, and more! We were so grateful to have them! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on all of our upcoming events and seminars follow our Facebook page  or get added to our email list. 

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Join us on Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM as we gather with other community businesses to share helpful information for those in the Senior Citizen community. 

Guest speakers from Baystate Medical Center, East Village Place, Forastiere Family Funeral & Cremation, CareOne at Redstone, and Kelly Koch, a Probate and Estate Attorney, will all equip you with information that will help you to continue to make smart life planning decisions. 

Please RSVP to Michele Altobello by Tuesday, January 17, 2023 as space is limited! Michele can be reached at 413-224-3203 or by email at maltobello@care-one.com. Join us on Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM as we gather with other community businesses to share helpful information for those in the Senior Citizen community. 

Pre-Planning Seminar


We had the pleasure of hosting a pre-planning seminar at Pleasant View Senior Center! We had a packed room and a great bunch of attendees. They were engaged as our pre-planning director, Gary Szewczyk, shared stories from his life that led him to understand the importance of pre-planning funeral services. Loren Forastiere had the opportunity to introduce the seminar and speak to those in attendance afterwards. The audience had great questions and we couldn't have asked for a better seminar!! 
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Thrive After 55 Event


Gary Szewczyk and Rebekah Curtis had a great time hosting the table at this year's Thrive After 55 event held at Western New England University! Not only were we able to give people valuable information on our pre-planning services, but we were also able to raffle off a board of scratch tickets as well! The Thrive After 55 not only allowed local businesses to connect with the community, but hosted lunch, gave valuable tips & advice, and raffled off some amazing door prizes! 

East Longmeadow 4th of July Parade


What a faithful staff! During East Longmeadow's 4th of July Parade, Ambassadors Alicia Balboni and Hunter Acconcio, and Funeral Director, Brian Kastner, spent some time handing out water to those watching the parade! We had the funeral home open so that people could use the bathroom and allowed those who wanted a good view to park in our parking lot. So thankful for these volunteers that allowed this to happen!!
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Event Calendar 

We’re here to serve.

Our staff works to accommodate your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we can help with anything.

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