I recently went thru the TERRIBLE ORDEAL of having my Grandmother pass away at home. She had a burial policy with Memory Chapel. She had taken it out in like 1980-ish, and when she passed away, the hospice nurse called to have her body picked up. I could hear the Embalmer coming up to the house thru the door, and being COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE as he was coming in, saying, "Oh my goodness, if it's not my MOST FAVORITE NURSE!! I absolutely love, love, love THIS LADY!! WHATCHA GOT FOR ME, BABY?? Whatcha got?" He was so obnoxious, continuing to ask, "Whatcha got for me Baby?" until he entered the room where my Grandmother and I were. When he saw me, he quieted down and then feigned concern by saying something like, 'Oh bless it!! I'm so sorry!!"
Well, that just didn't sit well with me bc he was so FAKE?? Then, he and the other guy who came with him started asking me if I knew the particulars of the burial policy she had, and if I had a copy of the policy on hand so we could go over it and what it covered?? I said I would look for it for the appointment to go over the arrangements.
The Embalmer told me he thought that since the policy was purchased SOOOO long ago, I would probably need to pay additional monies to cover the arrangements!! I told him that the policy she had was supposed to cover ALL OF THE ARRANGEMENTS. I also explained to him that I had spoken to the Owner of the funeral home, Mr. Ralph Campbell, who explained that as long as we kept up with the payments, EVERYTHING would be covered...my Grandmother asked if we needed to have a copy of the policy to make sure there wouldn't be a problem when the time came?? Mr. Campbell said that it was in the system, and that he would remember if it came down to that. My Grandmother said, "Now Ralph Campbell, you're nearly 'bout as old as I am!" and we all laughed. But basically, ALL means ALL!!
As I was explaining this story, it occurred to me that THIS WAS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE, and said, "Do we have to discuss this over my Grandmother's dead body?" It was pointless to discuss anything right now anyway since we didn't have a copy of the policy, and discussing this while her body was still warm was COMPLETELY INEXCUSABLE AND IN BAD TASTE!! The other guy spoke finally said that I was correct!! He also confirmed that the office had a copy of the policy, and there was no need to have it at that moment.
So guessing the Embalmer came over to try and give me a hug to try and smooth things over, I guess?? and when he got up close to me, I could TOTALLY SMELL ALCOHOL ON HIS BREATH (in addition to mouthwash, I'm assuming he tried to cover up the alcohol)!! After removing her, he then came in where I was saying CRAP like, "If there is anything (I) need, please lean on (them)!" WHATEVER!! Then he started flirting with the nurse again, talking about how GREAT she is??
So they FINALLY left, and I brought my concern and disgust up to the nurse, and she said she didn't notice. The next day, I called to talk to the Director about it, and he immediately stopped me and said that the guy had called him last night and told him "all about the incident," (so apparently the nurse had called him and gave him a heads-up). He said that the guy called him and said that I was really upset about my Grandmother passing, and I just mistook his overly friendly demeanor and personality for him being drunk!! The Director seemed to be taking the Embalmer's word over mine, I told him that I was going to write the Leader Call, and write on YELP and every other site where I could give a negative review about the HORRIBLE INCIDENT because I didn't want anyone else's Family to have to go thru what I did at a time that needed to be handled in a MUCH BETTER WAY!! The Director didn't seem to be taking my incident and concern seriously, and was totally covering for the guy!! I was pissed AGAIN, and said, "You're obviously not taking this seriously, as you don't seem to care that your employee caused me so much extra stress and distress when it wasn't necessary!!" And THEN, he finally said that he was listening and he would definitely look into it!!
I had to let it go at that point because I needed to get through the rest of my most stressful ordeal, so I let it go from there...I went and met with the Director to set up the arrangements, and all went smoothly from there. But the fact still remains that the Embalmer came to my house to pick up my Grandmother's body D.R.U.N.K.!! I'm not an idiot, and I'm not blind or ignorant about what ALCOHOL (chased with mouthwash) BREATH smells like, and the Management for the facility was NOT concerned about the behavior, and instead of apologizing and saying he would look into it, he tried to make me feel like I was wrong and feel badly for giving a FALSE REPORT!? Well, the only thing I have to say about it now is: USE THIS FUNERAL HOME AT YOUR OWN RISK!! It is a REAL possibility that the person who comes to get your loved one might be D.R.U.N.K.!! read more