When you're faced with a sudden, unexpected death, shopping around for a funeral home is not really…read morean option. We chose Cochrane & Wageman because they had 5 stars. But, we did not have the same 5 star experience as others may have had. Brian was nice & answered our questions as we could think of them. In this situation, who knows what to ask?!? You're in shock. You're mourning a huge loss in your life. Our loss was our daughter.
Cochrane & Wageman is much smaller than any funeral home I've ever been in for grandparents, parents, etc. During the service, Doug Wageman commented that they'd never had such a large turn out before...ever...not even for Congressman.
Before the service Doug & I spoke by cell phone so that he could get a sense of Melissa's short life on this earth. Her likes, hobbies, friends, family, etc. During the service, Doug, called her "Melinda" twice!!! (He did catch himself the second time). Can you imagine the shock of our sweet Melissa being referred to by a different name during her memorial service?!? By a seasoned "professional"? I was heart-broken & still can't believe that I didn't correct him right then & there. The shock was too deep I believe. How the heck does that happen?!? Once, it's a mistake & you apologize. But twice?!?
Another issue that was brought up by several people was the lack of a designated attendant by a C & W employee as people arrived & to answer any questions. We had a couple people in wheelchairs & we had to go find somebody, in offices, to find out where they could safely position their chairs, as not to block entrances for fire safety, etc.
I asked for a lock of my daughter's hair & was told by Brian that they would cut her ponytail off at the holder. I told them no. My girl was not going into her heavenly home without her ponytail! I only want a lock. Sounds ridiculous to some, I'm sure. But we all grieve differently.
On the online memorial wall, people left messages & could purchase a tree to be planted in Melissa's name. When I asked where the trees would be planted, I was told that the trees would be planted in Paradise, CA. I wanted to confirm this a couple weeks later I was told that they never told me that. Ok, I'm in mourning, but I know what I heard. We were so excited to hear that our girl's tree would be in Paradise. A local devastation that she would be helping to rebuild. I believe that was told to me by Doug Wageman.
In the end, the employees, which are very few, were somber & polite but I wouldn't recommend them. Getting our daughter's name wrong was a definite deal breaker.