If you are reading this, you have my condolences: both on the loss of your loved one and on the mere consideration of Ortiz Funeral Homes. They should rename it The Step Sisters Funeral Home, since this is the company Cinderella's stepsisters would have used on the occasion of the demise of their unloved stepsister.
Marisol, the employee that "assisted" was not the sharpest tool in the shed. She did not even grasp the basic details: though my friend's father was the one that had passed, she recommended that we chose a dress with a high collar or scarf so that the lower portion of his neck was covered. I suppose his cross-dressing days reemerged post his death!
While the company may have some type of published collateral with prices and services offered, it was never provided. She was writing everything down, by hand, in a three ring spiral notebook. Just like the ones I used in seventh grade! She was making so many errors on the documentation, that nearly every line had whiteout on it. Eventually the notebook became her scratch pad: we would spell words out, she would write them in the notebook. We would correct her spelling, THEN she would write it on the form.
My friend and his sister both identified themselves clearly, and yet, when her incompetence came to a point of ludicrously and we all laughed, she asked: "Are y'all family? 'Cause you act like it." It was clear she was not really listening to anything they were saying.
She strongly urged against a service at the time of cremation. At this point, she presented herself as a friend: "I'm"m only being honest with you, and telling you what I would like someone to tell me. It costs a lot of money, and it's only for 20 minutes." My friend and his sister, agreed, only to later find out that their family had expected one. If she had taken her role as educator and adviser seriously, she would have explained the purpose and meaning of this service, and most likely they would have agreed to have one. Her persuasion against it makes me assume that the funeral home profits little from it, and thus not worth their time.
As would be expected, the family was under duress. This was made extremely evident by the watering eyes, the red noses, etc. And yet, during the entire discourse, Marisol did not express even the simplest act of compassion. Her demeanor was as if we were discussing the purchase of a used car. Very odd.
We chose the back room for the viewing. It was in desperate need of updating: green vinyl chairs, gummed-up and stained carpeting, several ceiling tiles were water stained, and mismatched sofas. It's only saving grace was it was poorly lit: camouflaging many other flaws.
The funeral home only accepts cash. I find this practice highly suspicious and unkind. To expect a family to bring thousands of dollars in cash, shortly after the death of a loved one seems extremely insensitive and greedy.
We were told that clothing needed to be dropped off by noon the day before the viewing, at 8:00 am my friend received a phone call: "This is Ortiz Funeral Home. Where's his clothes?"
I think what bothered me the most was the way my friend's father was presented. I understand heavy makeup was needed, but there were a number of places that appeared patchy. They missed a section on the top of his bald head, so it looked extremely pale in comparison. There were also red marks around his nose and upper lip. There was also lint on his suit jacket. All of these things demonstrate a lack of craftsmanship and pride. My friend's father deserved better.
The lack of compassion and sympathy the employees displayed was disappointing. After the viewing two cleaning employees attempted to shoo us out, and while they tried to be kind, it was apparent they were poorly trained and lacked the tact and sensitivity needed to deal with grieving family members.
Honor your loved on the right way. Do yourself and your family a favor and choose any one of the other funeral homes in the area. read more
