I felt I was in good hands from the moment I heard Lynn Cleghorn's voice on the phone. She did not…read moredisappoint. She guided us through every decision and step involved in planning the funeral and burial of our son. Her professionalism and her kind and caring manner are a perfect combination for the job that seems more of a vocation than a job. She was a blessing to us and an asset to the team at Johns- Ridout's Elmwood.

January, I received a call that my son had passed away. Needless to say, I was in a very poor state…read moreof mind but I had to go to make plans for the funeral. Since I had used John Ridouts on the Southside for my mom and dad, that's where I went again. I was greeted by the staff and treated very kindly. I was taken to a room and a gentleman named Keith came in. (Sorry I don't remember his last name). He explained everything to me and guided me every step of the way. Even after the funeral was over, Keith called me several times just to see how was doing. He truly cared about me and my feelings. I would highly recommend Ridouts, Southside to anyone that has to plan or pre plan a funeral. I myself have pre planned my funeral to help relieve my family of the stress of doing it at the last minute.

Abanks Crematorium came to the Palliative Care wing of UAB and picked up my husband 6 days before…read moreChristmas 2014. They were very easy with him and professional. It cost $1300 for them to cremate and mail his ashes to me.

Thank you Bryant for taking care of my Dad and our family during a very difficult time. You made…read morethings easier to manage.

charter has taken care of my family since 2017. they have been the best. when my brother passed…read moreaway in 2017, They were very professional. Again in 2022 and 2024. On February 29th, 2024. We lost the best woman ever, My mom in law. I called them to let them know she had passed and Cody and Donda handled everything very professionally. They went above and beyond for us and her. If I could rate more than 5 I would rate all of them. I highly recommend them.

This was the MOST unprofessional experience I've had in a LONG time. First, they said something…read morelike "I got the body downstairs, where do you want it?" right in front of my father (it was his wife who passed away). Second, they screwed the obituary up - talking my father into the "free" obit in the B'ham News neglecting to make clear that it was only an 8 line obit. He took the trouble of listing all the children's names, etc. for them, and none of that was in the paper the day before the funeral. Not only that, the obit in the paper used her middle name because "her first name was too long and that would've created another line." They actually put another obit in Sunday's paper (the day AFTER the funeral) that was correct at thier own expense. The day of the funeral, we got there and her last name and birth date were incorrect on the prayer cards and the guest book. They had to scramble and reprint everything 30 minutes before the visitation started! NEVER AGAIN, BAD BUSINESS!

When I think of Five Points South, I always think of the famous Frank Fleming sculpture fountain!…read moreIt was installed in 1992 and is entitled "The Storyteller." It honors the life of pre-Columbian art dealer and anthropologist Malcolm McRae and was commissioned by his Mother, Jane. Jane had proposed dedicating a public garden in front of their church, Highlands Methodist Church at Five Points Circle, in his memory. With the encouragement of Cecil Roberts and Mayor Richard Arrington (and his assistant Ann Adams), her idea blossomed into a public commission for a sculptural fountain. The sculpture's Ram represents McRae. This area was incorporated as the Town of Highland in 1887, and today is lauded as a vibrant, retail, entertainment district, and a premier neighborhood and culinary destination. It is known for its annual St. Patrick's parade. I always thought 5 Points South was just the intersection of five streets at the sculptural fountain; however, it is more expansive than I knew! 5 Points' restaurants include Highlands Bar and Grill, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Bottega, Galley & Garden, and Ocean. I've enjoyed dining at Bottega, Hot and Hot, and Ocean. Zydeco is a fun 3-level concert venue and bar I've frequented over the years. In town for a special occasion, I got my hair blown out and styled in Five Points. There is a Historic Five Points Walking Tour that focuses on the historical and architectural nature of the area's temples, churches, apartment buildings, and more. It truly is a walkable part of Birmingham! You can download the brochure at https://fivepointsbham.com/wpcontent/uploads/2018/10/walking-tour.pdf