I was waiting to write a review for Chapel Hill Mortuary until a grave marker was in place, but…read morefeel it's important to get this out now as our journey has lasted a while. Note that we are from out of state, and worked with Chapel Hill through occasional visits, and email.
First, our initial consultation with Bryan (not the owner) to plan our step son's death and burial, when he was a ward of the State of Missouri and before he was seriously ill, went very well. Bryan met us in our needs, was very forthcoming with options and costs, as well as some of the hurdles we will need to be aware of. He helped us choose the best services for an undefined future, and be sure that he would be provided for with his unique financial situation. This was several years ago.
Last year, in June of 2016, Sean passed away from cancer. Initially, the process seemed to go well, and Bryan covered our budget options, given what we went over during our initial consultations. We had hoped he and Chapel Hill understood our very simple needs and tight financial constraints.
Chapel Hill did a fantastic job of opening their beautiful facility to Sean's program friends and the many caregivers who came to share stories and celebrate Sean's life. The grounds are very comforting and peaceful, and the parlor room offered just what we needed to host many wheelchairs and another 30+ rotating guests for a few hours.
Our challenge came when, after the initial service, we started looking at the remainder of the budget. Some items were missed, and we had to make some (legal) adjustments. However, that we had room to wiggle because a more expensive stone was used speaks to not completely understanding our initial request, and per Sean's wishes, that things be kept simple. The irony is that, had the correct material for the marker been used, we wouldn't have had money to use to get it into place! Per my earlier statement, it has been over a year, and the grave marker is still not in place, and we still don't have a promise date!
Brian May, the owner, is one of the nicest, and most caring individuals, as is Bryan, one of the employees with whom we worked most closely. Other staff seems somewhat detached, but functional.
Advice: The grounds are beautiful, and make for a welcoming place to visit a loved one's remains, but beware the budgeting process! Be sure you have everything in writing and understand what each item is for BEFORE you or your loved one dies! Also, check everything twice before monies are dispersed! The time of loss is for mourning and remembrances, not for heavy duty legal accounting and scrambling because monies were mis-directed. To their credit, they promised to do what is right and close Sean's physical burial so we can freely and joyfully remember his life. We are still waiting for the maker, however...
