I have forced myself to wait over a year to write this review so that it would not be overly colored by emotion. When my dad passed unexpectedly at home, we needed to make a quick decision. After a glance at Yelp reviews, we settled on DeVito because the other funeral home that had been mentioned by the police had one star. I am, however, slightly suspicious about a place that gets only five star reviews as well.
I gave three stars because I can concur with other reviewers that the men we worked with were generally professional, responsive, and honest. Our family had some unique unexpected needs such as concern that a wedding ring had been lost, and DeVito did attend to these needs, which was much appreciated. The family clearly has a lot of experience in the business.
If you have experience with death and are looking to do things in a fairly expected and "normal" way, this could be a good funeral home for you to choose. If this is your first experience with a funeral home, and if you approach death in any way that is less typical, or if you are needing a lot of patience and handholding, I would not recommend DeVito based on our experience.
From when we initially chose not to do an immediate service in a funeral home, did not need assistance in writing an obituary, and did not want a special urn, and would be doing a celebration of life later, we felt that we were treated differently from the five star reviewers who might have done things more traditionally.
I am now embarrassed at my ignorance, but at the time we did not realize that as a decorated Vietnam veteran, my dad was entitled to certain honors and benefits. While the gentleman we worked with was certainly aware of this because he asked us for the necessary information, including veteran status, in order to fill out forms, nothing was mentioned to us about these benefits. Perhaps this was because we were choosing not to do a traditional burial and other related elements, but this omission added to a general feeling of lack of respect in the tone toward us.
The site says that they are available 24 hours. When I called late at night, feeling overwhelmed and concerned about some of the arrangements, expecting I would receive an answering service if no one was available, I was greeted by someone who sounded annoyed by being awakened and was not particularly helpful in that tough moment. Then this person said something to my family later about my late night call, which I feel should have been treated confidentially. All of this certainly was not helpful at such a tender time for my family.
This funeral home clearly has a great deal of experience and is able to handle things expeditiously and professionally.But taking care of people's needs in the midst of one of the most difficult experiences they will ever have requires a level of heartfelt patience and support that I simply did not feel from DeVito. It seems from the reviews others did feel this in their experiences, which suggests to me that we may simply be outliers. But I still felt it was important to share this review. Even if someone makes different decisions from a more typical customer or if the people in the business do not agree with these decisions or understand them,,that customer of course still should be treated with the utmost respect under these circumstances. Instead, what we experienced was an undercurrent of feeling held at arm's length and as if we were an annoyance rather than customers who deserved compassion and care.
While for funeral home operators death may be everyday business, for the one going through the passing of a loved one it is anything but that. You deserve to have a gentle tone and nonjudgmental respect of your decisions in this very demanding moment.
I will always remember my dad as someone who communicated clearly and spoke with great respect for others but was also honest and not afraid to speak up when something was not as it should be. I seek to emulate him in writing this review.
If you are uncertain about your choice, I highly recommend consulting with a local clergy member for recommendations of a funeral home that will provide genuine compassionate care at this challenging time.
Finally, if you are reading this, although I don't know you, I am so sorry for what you're going through, and I want to let you know that you are not alone, and that you will find strength and comfort through the days ahead. While it may still be very hard, there is a light that will continue to guide you forward. You will make it through this and continue, in some way that is hard to explain, to have an ongoing relationship with your loved one, even if they are not here with you in the same way. They will always be with you, and nothing can take their love away from you or vice versa. I wish you much comfort and that you would feel surrounded by tangible love and clear guidance in your next steps. Bless you and your family. read more