The flowers for my son, Joshua Niblack's casket were absolutely beautiful. His father and I asked for non-traditional tropical flowers and you all delivered, thank you. However,
The 12-inch tube televisions that you all have is an insult to grieving families who want to share their loved one's memories.
When my family arrived on June 18th, for the viewing, we could not play the DVD because YOUR DVD player was outdated. We could not honor my son's memory because your facility is not operating in the 21st Century.
Additionally, someone walked up to my son's casket and proceeded to take a video. He did NOT address me or introduce himself. I asked him what he was doing, he replied that he was taking a 30 second video. I asked if it was for the funeral home's records. He asks, "you don't want a video?" What kind of utter disrespectful foolishness is that? Why wouldn't he ask BEFORE walking up to my son's casket and began filming him?
On June 20th, I called and spoke with Mr. Wright to track down Josh's necklace that he was wearing when he passed away. Mr. Wright told me that he would call Mr. Mason, at Clora Funeral Home to inquire and would get back to me regarding the necklace. I NEVER HEARD BACK FROM MR. WRIGHT REGARDING THE NECKLACE.
On June 22nd, I called to inquire about Josh's cremation. Danny Eason, advised me that he is "waiting on approval from the medical examiner's office". I asked him to please keep me abreast of things. Mr. Easton advised me that Josh's cremation would "definitely" be by the end of the week.
On June 25th I called again to inquire about Josh's cremation and am told by Raquel, that they "were still waiting on approval from the ME's office". I call the Michigan ME's office to inquire and am advised that a request was never sent. I do 3-way call with Pasty from Michigan ME officer and Raquel. While Pasty is giving Raquel vital information regarding requesting the approval, Raquel comes across as completely, nonchalant. She tells me that she will have Mr. Eason call me when he gets in.
I call back with Sarah from Michigan ME office on the call. Instead of being greeted on the phone with courtesy, I'm addressed with an attitude. When I asked if Mr. Eason had arrived the unknown rude female employee told me "He has your information Ms. Veal". I was transferred to Mr. Wright who explained to Sarah that the approval he needed is from the local ME's office. Mr. Wright spoke very matter-of-factly, with no empathy, no level of common sensitively. He spoke as if I were bothering him.
Had that been communicated with me before that approval was needed from the local ME's office and not the ME's office in Michigan, who performed the autopsy, I would not have had to be burdened with administrative tasks while still grieving the loss of my son. Raquel nor Mr. Eason took the time to call me back and simply COMMUNICATE with me.
I called the Miami Dade ME's office on July 6, 2021 to inquire if approval has been given for Josh's cremation. I spoke with a helpful young lady who advised me that approval had not been requested. She eventually called Danny Eason who advised that he did not request approval from Miami-Dade ME's officer, (although the business is in Miami-Dade County) but instead from Broward. The young lady advised Mr. Eason that additional approval was not needed from Broward County's ME office, approval from any where in the US is valid for all 50 states. Mr. Eason replied, "I wonder if I can get the $60 fee back". REALLY? NOT, "I apologize Ms. Veal for the unnecessary additional delay and stress I caused you". Not to mention that the fee was passed on to the family anyway. I feel that was UNPROFESSIONAL, APATHETIC and INSENSATIVE.
After that call, Mr. Eason tells me that he will call the crematory to find out the status of Josh's cremation. He did call me back and advised that Josh's cremains would be available for me to pick up the next day. He called me back with Josh's father on the phone and advised us that we would have to decide who would get Josh's cremains or else he would have to keep them until we went to court. WHAT? I'm not sure why he would start with such as extreme, not to mention somewhat negative statement. Josh's father and I came in together to arrange his service and we split the cost equally the same day. So I am not sure why he would assume there would even be a need for a court battle. I simply asked if he could arrange Josh's cremains equally in two separate containers, to which he said he could. Simple.
Your staff need to realize that, although death is a part of life, grieving does not stop after a funeral service. Your staff should be a lot more patient, empathetic, compassionate and caring. You may deal with death on a regular basis, but your clients don't.
This letter is not written with any malice or ill-will but with hopes that your staff will do better when providing services to other grieving mothers and families. read more
