I find it difficult to read the negativity for Dodo Mortuary because my family, and I mean my entire family, my whole life, had always done services with Dodo. I never knew Ballard Family Mortuary existed until the passing of my husband. In the most difficult time, you are in denial to the idea of them never returning. I waited over a week to make decisions being that my husband had to be released under investigation.Well long story short, I got a follow up call from Ballard Family Mortuary. I was told that he was the one who had picked my husband up and so forth. I expressed that I was unsure of the arrangements and I would call him back. Needless to say, my husband was not released by the hospital nor did I feel like talking to any mortuary. Anyhow, I receive another phone call, from the same mortuary, only this time, it's a female and she was following up on her husbands call. I was a bit confused, anyhow I spoke with her.
For one, she was not knowledgeable at all. secondly she had lack of phone etiquette and lastly, no compassion what so ever. She later mentioned she was his administrative assistance, so I was even more confused. I did not know exactly what was going on. I expressed we wanted to have a service and possible cremation or burial to follow and this all depended on his appearance.She said they had a few different packages and they were cheaper then Dodo, however if I wanted to do a weekend, it would be $300 for that. I wanted to do a viewing she said they only did up to 15 people max for another $250.It gets better, she said beverages were included with the service, BUT if we wanted to bring food, we. needed to pay another $300 to use the sitting area. At this time, i'm in tears, I haven't gotten to the package price and it was almost $1000 bucks! Anyhow, I told her I would call back, I never did. Instead, I went shopping around(what other choice did I have) other then Dodo, if you think about the pros and cons, Dodo may be pricy but they are not ridiculous as Ballard Family Mortuary. The best part of it all they have larger parking space, air conditioned chapel, a large open covered pull in garage to load and unload and a overflow that extends the chapel. Whereas Ballard Family Mortuary have none of the above. Further more, I must compare that Dodo Mortuary would allow 100 people for a viewing vs 15 for a paid viewing, Dodo charges no weekend fee, Ballard is $300(really) what's to differ??? are we paying for what type of service because I would refuse to believe they have more accommodating services. On top of that, I have no idea what this means?? that they provide beverage services and I would need to pay for the sitting area if I provided my own food to serve with the beverages? $300 for exactly what? I have no idea. Dodo is under $200 if we had a full course meal served and Dodo is free of charge if we wanted to have beverages and light snack in their sitting area. Ballard would not accommodate it AT ALL! They are all about money and I see why because they have POOR ALL AROUND BUSINESS and PEOPLE WHO OPERATE THE BUSINESS. read more