I thought long and hard whether to even write this review. Given that A: in some ways, they…read moredeserved a 1 star, and in others, I don't even live in the town the company resides.
But after separating myself 5 months from my interaction, I felt I could be balanced and--if no other reason--inform them of my unhappiness.
First and foremost was the way we were treated when we walked in the door and that is the fact that we were barely treated when we walked in the door. No sorry for your loss, nothing. Just right this way with profound indifference.
Did the owner shake my hand? Only after I offered it. I felt like my presence was not necessary.
I mentioned not being from here. But my father was. And I visited here (Weatherford and Thomas) every year for the last 13 years of my life. Thing is my father took care of everything prior to his death (his way of making it easier on us, I guess), so it almost seemed from Lockstone's point of view as if my family wasn't the client, the deceased was. And since he was gone, well...wooptedy do. The owner treated me exactly as anyone from out of town might come to expect a stereotypical treatment to be: as an outsider.
Then came the working on the Funeral notice and pamphlet. Here they were acceptable--even kind-- only because I dealt with the owner's son and not the owner himself. The son was thorough, thoughtful (this was only through e-mail); in our days of tremendous stress and grief, he was at least treating me like a friend.
Then came the day of the funeral/memorial. We walked up and saw the book that people were to sign. My Mother's name completely misspelled (not just a misspelling: they took the COUNTRY she was from and made it her last name), my name misspelled. On and on. Indifference or not, it just became a little insulting.
The owner ran the service and he was well, serviceable. He literally only gave me one sense of humanity. As he said goodbye. I don't mean that sarcastically: it was literally the only time I felt any warmth from him. At that point I was fed up and sealed off so it no longer mattered.
Some might say, "Hey, funeral directors need to have a cold demeanor as it's the only way they stay sane in a very morose business."
Gotcha. I understand. No problem. Then, dot your eyes, cross your t's and don't make mistakes that further alienate the people you serve. Better yet, make the family who is grieving actually feel as if they they are your client. That's what George Carlin would say is "minimally acceptable."
The thing is that Lockstone, who has been around for a very long time (generations, it seems) appears to be one of if not the only horse in this town for this kind of service. Don't know, I could be wrong. But if it is, then hopefully they heed this experience of mine and try to be a little warmer when people need it the most.
When I'm that sad, the last thing I need to hear or read into is the mannerisms of a funeral director does not seem to give a care.
Lockstone, you could have served my family better.
