This is a quick visit and there is limited parking but it's worth it to stop to see the first…read morecrematory in the United States. Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne suggested that cremation was the healthiest and safest alternative to burial and the potential outbreak of disease from buried bodies. So he built this and it was originally intended to be for his own personal use and three years later when he died, he was the third person to be cremated here. His ashes are buried on the site along with a memorial. The building is quite simple. Too simple for such a solemn occasion, if you'd ask the people who were around at the time that believed cremation is inhumane or un-Christian. The one story building is only about 30 feet wide and contains just two rooms: a preparation and viewing room and the actual furnace. The most important innovation was that it was built such that the fires never actually touched the body. Stop by, see, and perhaps appreciate this innovation. [Review 20406 overall - 617 in Pennsylvania - 1385 of 2023.]

What's it like to be first? This is the first crematory in the United States. Francis Julius…read moreLemoyne was a medical doctor, philanthropist, and a prominent abolitionist. His public health concerns regarding decomposing bodies led him to promote the building of the first crematory in the United States. The first cremation was in December of 1876. It's a simple building by design, and a testament to this forward thinking man. You can see a small monument that contains Lemoyne's remains. It's all rather small and simple, but definitely worth seeing.

Funerals are never a "good" experience for any. After having attended many funerals at this…read morelocation, I have to say that the staff and ambiance of the home "lessen the blow", for lack of better words, of the situation at hand. The staff is always super friendly, greeting everyone and holding doors. The flow of the upstairs and downstairs allows for many guests to pay their respects and visit with others without being in the family's hair.

I've been to many funerals and mzny different guneral homes throughout my 74 years on this planet…read moreand no one takes such care of visitors and mourners as Syka Funeral Home.

Sadly a dear friend of ours suddenly passed away. We attended the viewing, the prayer service, the…read moretrip to the church and the final trip to the cemetary. I was pleased with what I saw, as much as one can be pleased in such circumstances. The building is beautiful and has ramps for those that need them. There is ample parking but it is on a one way street parallel to Ohio River Boulevard. The room was arranged beautifully. Employees were available but were not obtrusive. They could sense when someone might need a little help inside the viewing but they didnt hover. Everything was perfect both days. We knew where to be and what to do, accompanying our friend to the church and later to the cemetery. Syka struck just the right balance of professionalism and compassion. It's a sad time. Not everyone is experienced with the rituals that may be part of the entire funeral experience. My friend had a beautiful funeral. But I am sad she is gone.

I would like to express my thanks to Melissa and the gentleman that took care of both of my issues…read moreall in the same day. They are very loving caring people. Very satisfied with all the assistance and comfort they gave my family.

While I find the location to be beautiful, my in-laws moved so cannot use their double crypt…read more We tried several times to offer back to the location at the price we paid but they said they don't buy them back. We asked if they would offer the spot to a family who couldn't afford their new rates but they were not interested. So frustrating. We are not looking to do anything other than offer a grieving family a double crypt at a fraction of what they are currently charging. If you know of a family who would possibly be interested, please have them go to FB Marketplace in Follansbee, WV and research Mausoleum- Highland Hills. I'm assuming our information will pop up for your/their consideration.

Yesterday we had a memorial service for my father-in-law, Bruce D. Smith, at Burke Chapel in…read moreWarwood. From the very start the staff at Kepner made sure we were taken care of. -We live an hour and a half away, so they allowed us to make all of the arrangements without meeting in person. -They took care of everything: transporting the body, arranging military honours, making sure the obituary was printed, and even contacting the cemetery on our behalf. -Funerals and related services are expensive, but Kepner staff never tried to sell or upsell. When we changed our mind about purchasing an item, they were understanding and exceptionally kind. -The staff worked hard to helpful without being intrusive. We felt supported without feeling overrun. -We were offered guidance when we requested it, but when we didn't, we were allowed to set things up in the way that best worked for us. The freedom allowed us to work within the bounds of our grief and beliefs. -I know it seems small, but due to an illness that doesn't allow me to regulate heat/cold very well (I don't sweat, for instance), I became very warm. The staff adjusted the temperature settings without hesitation. I became comfortable and could focus on the service. -This is the 3rd service I've experienced at Kepner, though the 1st I've been involved in organizing. The quality and compassion are consistently high. We have even had a beloved pet cremated through Kepner, and that, too, was an experience of the same caliber. We are very thankful for the care, respect, and compassion shown to my father-in-law, to us, and to those who came for the service. It was a hard time made easier by people who really cared.

This is the funeral home my parents chose, they passed 10 years apart…read more When my mother passed, everything seemed to be going smoothly with the arrangements. They are nice people. When the obituary came out, the wrong donation foundation was listed. Some random foundation received donations. My mother looked beautiful at the viewing, makeup and hair were perfect. However, very noticeable was the fact they did not put the bra I gave them on my big busted mother. She would have been mortified! Too late to rectify that at the showing. When my father passed, the employee handling the arrangements kept saying is how he was retiring soon and all the plans he had. When the obituary came out, they failed to acknowledge that he was a veteran. I stressed this at our meeting, it was a very important aspect. Names in the obit were not listed correctly. My father was cremated, we informed that the cremains may not make it back in the 2 days until the service. Thankfully, they did. These were 2 different employees 10 years apart, not satisfied by either.

When you lose a loved one, one of the last decisions you make is choosing a Funeral Home and boy,…read moredid we make an excellent choice! Kristen and her husband, Mike, at Wheeler Funeral Homes in Mingo Jct. and Brilliant, OH, are simply the way to go. Kristen is professional, knowledgeable, a great communicator, an organizer who pays attention to every detail, and just a kind soul, overall. She did not know my Mom personally but she soon became a part of our family. She helped us navigate the process with true care and compassion, which was such meaningful comfort to all of us. We would 100% recommend Wheeler Funeral Homes.

I cannot say enough good things about Wheeler Funeral Homes. Kristen Wheeler was exceptional to…read morework with for both of my parents' arrangements. Kind, thoughtful, and went over and above to make sure everything went smoothly. It helped that my folks had made arrangements ahead of time, but yesterday I received an overpayment refund check. Who does that? Wheeler does. Honest beyond measure. Thank you!

I finally ordered the headstone for my son and his father and Brian Haller was amazing. He listened…read moreto our ideas and was able to use our vision to create the perfect memorial for them. His professionalism, knowledge and compassion made the experience so much easier than I had expected and at a reasonable cost. I highly recommend them!

I cannot say enough about the integrity of Rome Monument and that of Brian Haller. The kindness…read morethat was shown from the first encounter of ordering my mother's memorial to the problems that arose with having the space prepared. Not only did they correct the problem, they made sure my father's memorial was raised and was level with my mother's. The reassurance that the memorial would be completed within a certain timeframe was precise. When I physically saw the memorials, I was 100% satisfied. I would highly recommend Rome Monument and Brian Haller for any memorial needs.

When your loved one passes, you are grieving and there is so much you don't know what to expect …read more I'm glad we turned to McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home. They go far above and beyond especially in: Compassion, quality, & exceptional value for the price. Compassion: they help you through the planning and implementation process. The little details like the prayer verses on the cards are so ideal for the loved one, it will bring a tear of love to your eye. Everyone on the staff is so kind, caring, and exemplary in the mission of helping the family through this transition. Quality: the home is beautifully decorated, and they arrange floral and photos of the loved one. It's little touches and well appointed attention to all the aspects of care that stand out. From ushers to open doors to beautiful cars & hearse. Value: no corners are cut yet at the same time, they 'don't empty your 'bank account'. Their offering and services are fair price, in fact you get more for your money than you would have imagined. By far the services from McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home set the bar high by comparison to many other arrangements I've had to make for loved ones in recent years outside of this area. I can't recommend them highly enough.