I have a lot of family buried in this cemetery. My parents and grandparent are in the Last Supper…read moremausoleum and I was recently told that some much needed work was going to be done to it soon!! I can't wait to see it when it's finished!!! John was very helpful with purchasing my final resting spot!!!!

Today I went to visit my grandmother and great grandmother at Forest Lawn Gardens for Mother's Day…read moreand what I saw was heartbreaking. As soon as I get out of the car there are Walmart bags, trash, and plastic laying all in the grass. This trash wasn't even near the trash can so I knew it wasn't from blowing around. As I was walking up the hill I noticed how there were clumps of grass laying on multiple headstones. Others were covered by the weeds being anywhere from 1-2 feet high. I was in disbelief. Well once I reached my family's headstones it was the same situation. I had to remove clumps of grass, pull weeds, and wiped off the headstone to clean it. In disbelief I walked down the hill and noticed various vases knocked over, dead flowers all over the place, and just a general lack of maintenance. Knowing this is where my own parents plan to be buried, I thought it would be best to address this to the director. She was anything but comforting, told us that she didn't want to see the pictures we taken, they were aware of the situation, and how since they are a corporate company it was out of their hands at the site but they are working on it. Feeling upset, I responded asking if this was the actual truth or if this is what they are told to say? Then I had to spend the next few minutes hearing about how I supposedly called the director a liar. I didn't appreciate her trying to prove a point while I was visibly upset. Also don't you think if you were corporate then you would be willing to provide contact information so we can address the right people? I am so sorry for anyone who has been treated in a similar manner. If you live in the South Hills area please consider your multiple options outside of Forest Lawn Gardens. This is my review from last year. I returned today and even though the grass looks better maintained, there are still some issues. Especially with appearance. Enormous pot holes everywhere! Still not impressed. Every-time I post images they get taken down. Please be careful when you go.

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.

From the owner: When you select the McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd. we will treat you as one of our family. We…read morewill listen to your concerns and requests, and provide a dignified tribute that is unique to your individual needs. Care, compassion, integrity and value continue to be the foundation of our service. We are committed to helping the families we serve through this very difficult time. No matter what faith, race or economic standing, we will do our best to earn your confidence. For the past 90 years the firm has taken great pride in providing the communities of Houston, Canonsburg, Meadowlands, Hickory, Eighty Four, Washington and surrounding areas with the highest level of professional funeral service.

My wife was buried here several months ago. This place is very well maintained. I came to visit my…read morewife on a recent day when we had four inches of snow. The cleanest roads I encountered that day were within the cemetery. All the employees I have interacted with are very respectful, and helpful. I plan on joining my wife here when I die.

This place is nice enough, that I am choosing to be buried here when I die . . . How's that for a…read morereview?!?!?! Cheers!

Written by my wife, Helen:…read more I accompanied my husband and his sister for the meeting with all necessary paperwork for their father's service.. I'm not even sure where to start with the list of grievances. The funeral director was to send the draft for review prior to publication but failed to fo so; it was published with errors. No detailed billing was discussed, just here is your $6K+ bill. My husband tried to advise we were expecting a death benefit within 10days. He interjected that this would not be satisfactory and the bill would need to be paid in full. We eventually placed the full amount on a credit card, rather than argue with him at that time. When we were a bit shocked by the $6k+ bill ( prep of body, 1 day viewing, service, obit, memorial cards, sign in book) the director complained -to a grieving family "You have to understand, this my livelihood. He bought his casket elsewhere. That is where we make most of our money." Your financial concerns are NOT the concern of your customers. You are NOT try to place guilt upon the shoulders of a grieving family. During the viewing, the director interrupted a family conversation to ask one of the family members if they'd been to the casino recently - just out of the blue. No conversation with anyone else. "Hey XXXXX, been to the casino lately?" (name redacted). Additionally, we received texts from several family members and friends that the doors to the home were locked and they were unable to gain entry in order to pay their respects - one of whom was my husband's boss, who took the time to during her lunch hour and had to turn away. Move ahead to Sunday 7/30/23 - we needed to finalize our dealings with this horrible business. We needed 2 items, the death certificates, which had finally arrived from the VA and also, we needed a paid in full receipt for a bill that was paid in full on 7/17/23. The director advised no one could prepare such an item on Sunday though it had been requested a day earlier. I insisted as we need it to resolve the estate. He nastily replied, "Well, do YOU work on Sunday?" As my job requires quite a large amount of overtime, I replied that yes, in fact, I do. The director then decides to make things personal. Rather than remain a professional, he stated to a still grieving family member, "I thought you were nice - I was wrong." I get the feeling no one ever stands up to this man, especially not a woman. I maintain my calm, as it were. Voices were not raised though I dearly wanted to do so. I do insist that since he had no problem doing paperwork on a weekend when he wanted paid, he can do paperwork to confirm the bill was paid in full. When he said to me that he "Hoped never to see your face again," my husband, rather than become confrontational, had to leave the building. From our first meeting, our entire family has been saying we could not wait to have this entire business over with so that we never have to see him again. His open animosity was simply unconscionable towards a still grieving family. I do not care how frustrated you are, to verbally attack your customer is not okay - in any business but as a funeral director you should be trained to have compassion, to have restraint. UPDATE 07/31/2023 --- I received a call today as he did the paperwork wrong YET AGAIN. The secretary is preparing and sending to me. This man is incompetent and downright rude to the bereaved in every sense of the word. When advised that negative reviews would be forthcoming, he had the gall to ask why... I am 100% sure we will have a rebuttal as he has been telling people how I was yelling at him. Pull the video tapes, the truth will out. The place is creepily covered with surveillance cameras. So comforting to be filmed while trying to share memories with friends and family.

I accompanied my husband and his sister for the meeting with all necessary paperwork for their…read morefather's service.. I'm not even sure where to start with the list of grievances. The funeral director was to send the draft for review prior to publication but failed to fo so; it was published with errors. No detailed billing was discussed, just here is your $6K+ bill. My husband tried to advise we were expecting a death benefit within 10days. He interjected that this would not be satisfactory and the bill would need to be paid in full. We eventually placed the full amount on a credit card, rather than argue with him at that time. When we were a bit shocked by the $6k+ bill ( prep of body, 1 day viewing, service, obit, memorial cards, sign in book) the director complained -to a grieving family "You have to understand, this my livelihood. He bought his casket elsewhere. That is where we make most of our money." Your financial concerns are NOT the concern of your customers. You are NOT try to place guilt upon the shoulders of a grieving family. During the viewing, the director interrupted a family conversation to ask one of the family members if they'd been to the casino recently - just out of the blue. No conversation with anyone else. "Hey XXXXX, been to the casino lately?" (name redacted). Additionally, we received texts from several family members and friends that the doors to the home were locked and they were unable to gain entry in order to pay their respects - one of whom was my husband's boss, who took the time to during her lunch hour and had to turn away. Move ahead to Sunday 7/30/23 - we needed to finalize our dealings with this horrible business. We needed 2 items, the death certificates, which had finally arrived from the VA and also, we needed a paid in full receipt for a bill that was paid in full on 7/17/23. The director advised no one could prepare such an item on Sunday though it had been requested a day earlier. I insisted as we need it to resolve the estate. He nastily replied, "Well, do YOU work on Sunday?" As my job requires quite a large amount of overtime, I replied that yes, in fact, I do. The director then decides to make things personal. Rather than remain a professional, he stated to a still grieving family member, "I thought you were nice - I was wrong." I get the feeling no one ever stands up to this man, especially not a woman. I maintain my calm, as it were. Voices were not raised though I dearly wanted to do so. I do insist that since he had no problem doing paperwork on a weekend when he wanted paid, he can do paperwork to confirm the bill was paid in full. When he said to me that he "Hoped never to see your face again," my husband, rather than become confrontational, had to leave the building. From our first meeting, our entire family has been saying we could not wait to have this entire business over with so that we never have to see him again. His open animosity was simply unconscionable towards a still grieving family. I do not care how frustrated you are, to verbally attack your customer is not okay - in any business but as a funeral director you should be trained to have compassion, to have restraint. UPDATE 07/31/2023 --- I received a call today as he did the paperwork wrong YET AGAIN. The secretary is preparing and sending to me. This man is incompetent and downright rude to the bereaved in every sense of the word. When advised that negative reviews would be forthcoming, he had the gall to ask why... I am 100% sure we will have a rebuttal as he has been telling people how I was yelling at him. Pull the video tapes, the truth will out. The place is creepily covered with surveillance cameras. So comforting to be filmed while trying to share memories with friends and family.

Incompetent from start to finish - save yourself a huge headache at a very stressful time…read more Goofed up obituaries - never made it into Pittsburgh Post. Waited, in procession, at the cemetery because the incorrect time was communicated to them. Death certificates took three plus months to arrive because the first submissions were glaringly incorrect. Spoke to random individual on the telephone about the issue without family permission or knowledge. Unbelievably unprofessional when it really matters most.

Both of my in laws died in the past 3 weeks and the way that David & Natalie & staff took care of…read moremy wife was nothing short of fantastic. From the very first time they walked into our home, they touched our hearts with a prayer and a sincerity that is rare these days. There was never any pressure. Their prices were very reasonable. The makeup and hair specialist was truly amazing. And the actual building is large and very beautiful.