The Love of my life passed last Saturday. I went to forest meadows Funeral home and they were…read morewonderful. They are under new ownership now and they helped me so very much and the funeral went off very nicely. I highly recommend them.

Sadly, my husband and I have had representatives at Forest Meadows care for our family on 2…read moreoccasions. They are caring and professional. Most recently, Ms. Regina Tookes has been there for us. She is sincere, compassionate and accessible as she helps address our needs. We feel she genuinely cares for our family on more than a superficial level.

It's important that we remember those who came before us and the Evergreen Cemetery in Gainesville…read moreallows that to happen. The cemetery was established in 1856 and includes the final resting places of many of Gainesville's most notable figures including Florida's first female physician and the inventor of Gatorade. It is a neatly laid out cemetery and thanks to their interactive app (download from a QR code displayed at one of the information booths), I was able to easily find those I wanted to see. The cell phone tour turns this peaceful burial ground into an outdoor museum. Dr. Sarah Lucretia Robb became Florida's first female physician after earning her medical degree in Germany, where she studied because U.S. medical schools wouldn't admit women. She practiced medicine in Gainesville, Florida, serving as a horse-and-buggy doctor, delivering babies, and running a clinic with overnight beds for patients. Her former home now serves as the headquarters of the Alachua County Medical Society. Gainesville is the home of the Florida Gators and the University of Florida is not far away. Dr. Robert Cade was an American physician and research scientist who led the team that invented Gatorade in 1965 to help University of Florida football players combat dehydration. His groundbreaking formula, which replenished electrolytes and fluids, revolutionized sports hydration and became a global phenomenon, earning billions for Pepsi (who eventually bought the rights) and millions in royalties for the University. Historical marker number F-805 was erected in 2014 by the Evergreen Cemetery Association of Gainesville, Inc. and the Florida Department of State. It reads, "Evergreen Cemetery, known locally as "This Wondrous Place," began with the burial of a baby girl in 1856. The infant, Elizabeth Thomas, was the daughter of wealthy cotton merchant James T. Thomas and his wife, Elizabeth Jane Hall Thomas. The baby was laid to rest by a young cedar tree on family land. Eight months later, her mother was buried alongside her. Their double grave is marked with a simple headstone carved by a noted stonemason from Charleston, W.A. White. In 1866, Thomas sold his 720-acre parcel, reserving roughly one acre around the burial for a graveyard. The Evergreen Cemetery Association operated the cemetery, beginning in 1890, until it was purchased by the City of Gainesville in 1944. The cemetery now includes 53 acres, and is the final resting place of more than 10,000 people. Some the persons interred here are Gainesville founder James B. Bailey, anthropologist William R. Maples, ecologists Archie and Marjorie Carr, Florida's first female physician Sarah L. Robb, Major General Albert H. Blanding, U.S. Commissioner of Education John J. Tigert, and Gatorade inventor Robert Cade. Veterans of nearly every American conflict since the 1830s are also buried here." [Review 354 of 2025 - 2006 in Florida - 23916 overall]

People have occasionally asked me why I like graveyards, some have asked if I thought it was…read morecreepy, and my response is that I can see beyond the surface (no pun intended), that I see this not only as a resting place for the dead, but as a testament to the lives lived by those who lay in eternal rest here. Evergreen Cemetery in Gainesville, Florida is such a place. It speaks not only of the people who reside in eternal slumber upon these grounds, but it remembers and charts the birth of this area. This cemetery traces its history to 1856 when James T. Thomas, a wealthy area merchant, and his wife, Elizabeth Jane Hall Thomas, laid to rest their infant daughter, Elizabeth Jane Thomas. In a sad testament to the mortality rate of children back then, there is a section of the graveyard called Babyland, where infant children are laid to rest. Another area of this necropolis holds a statue to remember soldiers who died from an outbreak of yellow fever. Within these grounds lies countless stories, tales of joy and sadness, of triumph and loss. Resting here are the spirits of those who walked their time upon this earth and who have moved beyond this realm to the next. I am both humbled and inspired to be amongst their company, to hear their stories whispered upon the wind.

The staff at Williams-Thomas put you at ease the moment you first talk with them and/or meet them…read morein person. They are patient, kind, professional, knowledgeable, extremely competitively priced and able to accommodate almost any request you can think of having. They were amazing to work with, prompt, able to meet our scheduling needs and handle everything including catering for a reception on premise, saving us a huge burden of hosting a reception elsewhere ourselves. Every person we met made us feel more like family than a customer. They are all stellar and the best at what they do. Thank you all for your support and help in the loss of both of our parents.

Vonda ​was wonderful very sweet. My only concern is which is very concerning and very sad my…read morehusband's wedding ring was sent to them and somehow it was not retrieved from their location. Very upsetting.

My family chose this establishment because its black owned, so we were looking forward to top-notch…read moreservice, and unfortunately, that is not what we had gotten. My family was scheduled to see our loved one's body at 3pm the day before the service; his remains were not ready, the owner along with her staff, were going in and out to finish his preparation, and we were not able to see him until about 5pm. The process of burying a loved one is already hard enough and for a funeral service, there should be a level of compassion for the family, and a display professionalism at all times. We were supposed to have the service in their chapel, only to find out we were having the service outside the day of, in their parking lot. It was about 90 degrees plus, and of course his remains were not able to be outside during the service. When it was time to close the casket, his remains were rolled outside, and that part of the service was able to be done, in the parking lot. We were told on that day that a memorial video, along with pictures were to be sent to the family, and we still have yet to get those. We found out about a "memorial video," via Facebook, and it was more of an advertisement for her business, and not a memorial video for the family. I would not recommend D. Williams Mortuary Services to friends nor loved ones.

This is the worse funeral I've been to. The director was very rude and certainly not professional…read more There was a young guy there moon walking in font of the casket while they set up. I don't think they realize that this is someone's family member in the casket. Laughing and having a good time while covering stands to put flowers on. The previous funerals this same funeral home were excellent. Something has changed and I do hope they fix it for the next funeral. This one was unacceptable. I would not want to entrust any of my family members into their hands. The hearse then speed off and left the whole procession. Total madness!!!

Forever grateful for the wonderful service by the owner and staff! They went above and beyond for…read moreour family during an extremely difficult time. We will forever be grateful for them and making this experience the best it could be. Thank you

Extremely disappointed and upset with how this funeral home handled my father's remains. I…read morepersonally called beforehand and clearly informed them that they did not have authorization from his surviving spouse, my mother, for a pickup. Despite being notified, they proceeded with the pickup anyway. During an already heartbreaking time for our family, the funeral home we had chosen to handle his arrangements went to retrieve him and was told that he was gone. We were initially left believing he was missing, only to find out that this funeral home had picked him up after I specifically told them they did not have authorization to do so. Our family was forced to involve the police and file a report. What makes this even more upsetting is that my mother was still charged a $350 fee for a pickup she never authorized. We are also extremely concerned that the surviving spouse's rights were not properly followed based on claims about my mother that were not true. This was extremely unprofessional and added unnecessary stress and distress to our family during an incredibly difficult time. Families deserve better communication, professionalism, respect, and accountability when entrusting a funeral home with their loved one.

A special, wonderful, peaceful place for our beloved pets to have a final resting place with trees…read moreand serenity. When my beautiful Neon passed, this cemetery and the people who own it gave me a bit of peace that I would not have had. The grave markers are exquisitely crafted and the horse entry piece is quite interesting. Thank you for making this place for loving pet owners!

A very special place-- full of beautiful tributes to pets. It's quiet, shady, and peaceful, with…read morebeautiful oak trees. Worth a visit to pay your respects.

I would give 0 stars if it was an option. My daughter and her partner lost their infant son a year…read moreago. Crevasse in Gainesville handled the cremation and was supposed to send the baby's remains to Ocala to be picked up, which they were. Now on the year anniversary when they feel ready to have a memorial they find the envelope is empty that was supposed to contain their son's ashes. Then to make them feel worse they were made to feel like they were not looking correctly and it must be their fault. Why would you want them to be missing? I was given the owners name and she called and said to call her back. I did repeatedly six times and no response not even a sympathetic one. Nothing.... How callous is that for a company in this line of work? I would think it they should have reached out to them and at the very least expressed condolences and sympathy.

Absolutely excellent place to work with. Quick and detailed communication and kept our family's…read moreprivacy paramount. They truly make help the family make the best of a heartbreaking situation. I highly recommend this company.

When the time came to say goodbye to our aging dog, Dr. Miller and Kat made one of the hardest days…read moreof our lives a little easier. Their compassion, kindness, and genuine care went far beyond what we ever expected. They treated us like family, not just clients, and took the time to ensure both our beloved dog and our family were treated with dignity, respect, and love throughout the entire process. Their empathy and understanding helped bring comfort during an incredibly emotional time. We are deeply grateful for the support they provided and will never forget the kindness they showed us. If you're looking for a veterinary team that truly cares, we cannot recommend Dr. Miller and Kat highly enough. Thank you both for helping us say goodbye with peace, love, and compassion.

I called Tobias Veterinary Services out for my dog with ear and skin problems. When they arrived at…read moremy home they did not disclose the total cost of the visit. They did tests that were not needed. I ended paying close to $800! I have never in my life paid so much for a vet service. Total ripoff. I will never recommend them. "we trust you would have discussed this with the doctor" I did call and email you. You told me you didn't need me as a customer after I complained, you and your staff did not resolve anything. Zero. Never again!