The first time I visited this cemetery was several years ago, and for a very specific purpose: To…read moreattend a concert in the columbarium near Halloween. That was when I first learned what a columbarium is (a place for cremains to be placed). Most often these are outdoor resting places, but this indoor one has a large chapel-like area inside. There are benches near the wall niches for one to visit their loved ones. Bohemian National Cemetery is a major graveyard in the city. Its origins lie in discrimination. After the Great Fire, a woman who was a member of Chicago's Bohemian community was refused burial at one of the Catholic cemeteries. Bohemian in the 19th century did not have the same meaning it has in 2022; the area once considered Bohemia is now Czechia. Thousands of members of this immigrant community worked to establish the cemetery, which saw its first burial in 1877. Bohemian National Cemetery is not affiliated with a specific religion. Upon arrival at this cemetery, you'll see one of its most unique features: The funeral bell that still hangs within the stone cemetery gate. Every other funeral bell in a Chicago cemetery has been removed and/or replaced. I'm not sure, however, if it still tolls when a funeral procession passes through the cemetery. There are several sculptures throughout the cemetery by the artist Albin Polasek. Amongst them is The Pilgrim, just in front of one of the family tombs, and Mother, which is directly in front of the columbarium. I was surprised to find the Beyond the Vines is really a wild monument. Made to replicate the outfield wall at Wrigley Field, major Cubs fans can be interred in this outdoor columbarium. Ivy covers the wall, and there are stadium seats on the west side of the monument for people when visiting. Lastly, this cemetery is home to a memorial for the victims of the Eastland disaster. In 1915, the Eastland was docked and ready to set off for the annual picnic of a local electric company. The ship never left the dock; rather, it capsized where it was docked near Clark Street. 844 people lost their life--and amongst those, 22 full families perished. On the 100th anniversary of this tragedy a memorial was unveiled to those who died that day. Bohemian cemetery is certainly historical and has some very interesting monuments and sculptures, and is a must-visit for any taphophile. However, it's a bit unkempt in some areas, and rumor has it they don't allow tours through here any longer because someone on a prior tour stepped into a dip and hurt themselves. So if you do visit, be careful.

The office receptionist is awful. I called to obtain information on my grandmother. I was told to…read morecall back in 15 minutes because she was using another program on her computer and couldn't look it up. I called back 20 minutes later and she hung up the call, then called again to be put on hold for 10 minutes...no joke. I called back and she asked for my information and said she'd look it up and call back. I ended up going to the cemetery about 45 minutes later and she was on a personal phone call talking loudly until she realized someone was in the office. Lack of professionalism and sensitivity to the whole situation.

Nice older cemetery. They sustained a lot if tree damage during the tornado in chicago. They have a…read moregorgeous marble statue that has been encased in glass or lucite container to keep it from damage. The flower carvings are beautiful. A few forgotten stones covered in vines and some surrounded by bushes. Beautiful symbolism and and epithet that said " A good time was had by all " Someone had decorated a plot for Halloween and Day of the Dead. The Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery was next door and very over grown. We weren't able to go inside.

Lovely grounds including large older trees and spring bulb flowers. I took a walk and visited…read moretoday to satisfy my curiosity about a memorial I've seen dozens of times as I rode down Irving Park on my way to the airport. I've often seen a large white statue enclosed in a glass case so today I took a walk to investigate. I found the statue with the name Raithel on one side and Sei getreu bis in den Tod or Be thou faithful undo death on the front of the monument. I'm still curious - more investigation to be done...

I have attended multiple funerals at this location, unfortunately. However, lovely experience with…read morethis funeral home and staff. Would definitely recommend.

This is the Muzyka Funeral Home that shines the brightest. Whether you're coming to pay your last…read morerespects to a friend, burying a loved one or a vendor coming in through the back door, you are genuinely welcomed, greeted with a smile, treated with dignity and met with professionalism. The staff is very accommodating, helpful and not badgering. A spacious interior, tastefully appointed with ample parking on site. Wonderful! This is a people friendly funeral home. A class act! There is nothing dysfunctional at this funeral home, no pecking order and a staff that is totally polite, sincere and welcoming. No mean people working here! When I go, and hopefully not too soon! Years and years down the road.. :) .... This Ukrainian is coming to this Muzyka Funeral Home on Lawrence Avenue. If they treat you right while you're alive, you can count on them taking care of you respectfully at your funeral.

Beautiful, well-kept, peaceful, old, and interesting. Gorgeous grounds. Highly recommend.read more

This beautiful old cemetery is peaceful, quiet and filled with elegant grave markers.read more

The folks at K&B are super! Very helpful, very personable. Very customer oriented…read more Eric patiently walked me through the monument/headstone choices. Their showroom/office has many examples so that you can actually see what things look like. They are clearly craftsmen with a long pedigree of creating that special monument/headstone for your family member (or yourself if you are panning in advance. For most of us, needing to think about a monument/headstone comes at a very difficult time. The folks at K&B understand this and calmly work with you to make choices that you will feel good about over the long-term. They are very service oriented.

I used them in my hour of need. They were very nice, sweet and courteous. The Manager Eric…read moreSommerfield is on of the nicest people in the world. My wife passed away recently and her Father, Mother and Brother passed away in the mid 1980's. Kornick did the original memorials. I needed a headstone that matched the other 3 and I also needed a family marker carved with a name and design added to it. I stressed to Eric everything needed to match. The granite was special order and Eric took personal charge of my orders. He worked with me personally and sent me drawings which we revised and sent back and forth. Finally he sent me a pix of the family marker and it was an identical match. He went to the cemetary and took pictures along the way. Finally the head stone was finished and laid and he sent me more pictures. I felt confident of completion with Eric working with me. He sent documents along the way double and triple checking everything. It still a terrible time for me but Kornick Monuments and Eric Sommerfield has made my life a little easier.

My father passed away last month and we chose Shalom Memorial for his funeral service and burial…read more While I have never had to choose a funeral home before, I don't think I could be more pleased with our experience. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained. Before his passing, we had an initial visit with Michael regarding plot selection and he was helpful with helping us pick the location that best met our needs. No pressure, just a friendly visit and discussion. After he passed, we then worked with Sherry and Arlene to purchase the plot, casket, vault, shroud, death certificates, etc. The cost was substantial, but I imagine it is likely in line with other Jewish cemeteries in the area. Included in the cost is perpetual care of the grounds so there are no additional fees down the road. The chapel for his service was very nice and all of the people working there that day were super friendly. They live streamed his service which many in my family used. They also provided the ability to download the service which I decided to do. Shalom Memorial received the death certificates a few days afterwards from the village and we picked them right away so we could begin sending them to those who needed them. I really can't think of anything that I didn't like or was disappointed in.

My father passed away on December 18, 2025. The Elk Grove police department recommended Shalom. We…read morewanted a Jewish funeral home in the area that would work with our unusual circumstances (we aren't all Jewish, we might have had to postpone the funeral, my father wanted a simple service and no burial, and we have an unusual family structure). While this process is always difficult, it couldn't have been easier or more smooth. Tony was wonderful: caring, thoughtful, resourceful, patient, and quick. He moved us through the decision-making process easily, recommended a rabbi and a Shiva location, and made things happen. The services were beautiful and meaningful, and our pain was eased because there was no additional stress. Many thanks from the Sandler family.

My Mom, Emily passed away on Jan 30,2023. Although times like this can be so stressful, picking the…read moreproper funeral director and home is essential. My family has dealt with the Wojciechowski's since they were on Webster Street in the old neighborhood. Their support, compassion, a their take charge attitude, leaves little to do but comfort your loved ones. Brad Rushton our Funeral Director and planner left no stone unturned. He had it all covered, up to and including having Jody Wojciechowski, spend the day with us making everything incredibly smooth. Also, their preparation in making my mom look like a Queen lying in State, was remarkable! I want to take this opportunity to personally thank the entire team at Colonial for all their support and love that they extended to my family.

Four months I had to plan a wake and funeral for my father who passed away within a week of…read moreplanning everything. Mark and his staff were all wonderful and made this devastating occasion as simple as possible for us. Mark helped with everything that is needed from beginning to end and my father a the most beautiful wake we were told by so many bn people that attended. The facility was updated and clean with great staff. I highly recommend them.

From the moment we first contacted Inclusive Funeral Care, they treated our family with an…read moreextraordinary level of compassion, professionalism, and humanity during one of the most difficult times of our lives. A few days before my grandfather passed, I reached out to prepare for what we knew was coming. They spoke with me patiently, explained everything clearly, and never once made me feel pressured or overwhelmed. The night before his passing, and again the morning of, I kept them updated as his condition changed. When I finally called to let them know he had passed, they arrived at our home within approximately 45 minutes -- even before hospice arrived to officially pronounce him. Their staff handled my grandfather with such dignity and gentleness that it brought an incredible sense of peace to an otherwise heartbreaking moment. They were calm, respectful, organized, and compassionate not only toward him, but toward our entire family. I especially want to recognize Russ, who was our primary point of contact throughout this process. He truly went above and beyond for our family in every possible way. During an incredibly emotional and stressful time, Russ was patient, responsive, compassionate, and genuinely caring. He took the time to answer questions, explain options honestly, and help us navigate difficult decisions without ever making us feel pressured. His kindness and professionalism made a lasting impact on our family, and I genuinely do not know how we would have managed this process without his guidance and support. What stood out most was their honesty and willingness to truly work with us financially. Instead of upselling unnecessary services, they actively helped us cut costs wherever possible while still ensuring my grandfather was cared for respectfully. They guided us through applying for Social Security funeral assistance, explained every expense transparently, and even arranged a manageable payment plan when funds were tight. In a time where grief can make families vulnerable, Inclusive Funeral Care treated us with integrity, empathy, and kindness. They made an overwhelming process feel manageable and humane, and I will never forget the care they showed our family during such a painful chapter. I am deeply grateful for everything they did for my grandfather and for us.

My daughters lost their mother and I lost my soul mate very suddenly 8 weeks ago. We were…read moredevastated and didn't really know where to turn. One of my daughter's friends has lost her mother and recommended Inclusive Funeral Care. We we sat down with Russ Henrichsen to arrange transport from Glenbrook Hospital for eco-friendly water cremation. He asked if there was particular music my deceased wife enjoyed, to which I replied, the Bonnie Raitt & John Prine version of "Angel from Montgomery." The fact that they asked this question led me to believe that we had chosen wisely. We then had Brooke Benjamin serve as Memorial Celebrant for a Celebration of the Life of Kitty at Chicago Botanic Garden. She met with the family in one extensive 2-hour session that included the daughters, myself, the deceased's brother and sister, asking us questions about our beloved's childhood, family life, hobbies, education, political activism, etc. Even though Brooke had never met my wife, she really extracted her essence.... so much so that 10 people (of the 150 in attendance) asked me "Who was Kitty's friend who ran the ceremony?" Short of resurrecting the dead, the celebration simply could not have been better. Kitty is now in our niche in Graceland Cemetery. Brooke was also very accommodating in allowing us to design our own memorial cards--we fell behind a bit in planning the cards, but things came together at the last minute. If you are looking for funeral directors who present you with a set of options in understandable, plain-English, then Inclusive Funeral Care is for you. Brooke and Russ are really excellent people. They were never heavy handed, allowing us to choose the format of the program. When they offered suggestions we choose not to follow (e.g. having live musicians), there was never any sign of disappointment. I just can not find the words to express how grateful I am to Russ and Brooke at Inclusive Funeral Care.