Customer ReviewsforBallard-Durand Funeral & Cremation Services

Awful and insensitive to the partner of the deceased. Threatened partner about attending the funeral because her presence made the family paying for the funeral uncomfortable. No other credible reason was given. Also funeral was distasteful and offensive to the Jewish family as the children were not guided as to what was inappropriate such as an open casket, having flowers and playing Amazing ****** Truly uninformed and incompetent and offensive to the attendees.

The woman who wrote this review is not related to the deceased in any way. She calls herself the "partner of the deceased"; unfortunately, that is not recognized in ************** as a next of kin. By ************** Mortuary law, funeral professionals are allowed to take instruction from the children of the deceased. The individual was extremely disruptive to the children of the deceased while their father was actively dying, and several times called Hospital security to have her removed. I had hoped shed behave with civility and ***** when the family offered her some private time with some friends of her choosing to visit the Ballard-Durand funeral home at a prescribed time. When she became irate and threatened to make a scene" at their beloved father's funeral, they had no option but to hire a private security guard at their expense. The family of the deceased is willing to write a letter to the BBB verifying this situation. They are also discussing obtaining a legal order of protection against said woman. Being a family therapist, this individual of all people should understand the sensitivity and nature of navigating the loss of a family member. Regarding the family "not being guided," we at *************************** honor every request from the families that trust us with the care of their loved ones. Traditional and non-traditional customs are always discussed but again, it is ultimately the family's choices and decisions that we carry out. Sometimes, what brings the family comfort *** not seem appropriate to others. We honor every familys wishes.

You are severely misinformed and have made judgements without having any knowledge of the family history. These children lied about many things to you as this is their modus operandi. What happened at the hospital was initiated by the son who became violent in the patients room and then he manipulated the situation by asking for security saying I attacked him verbally. As a matter of fact about 25 guests did not attend the funeral due to their knowledge of me as well as the deceaseds children and were horrified yet not fully surprised, that his children behaved this pathologically as well as ignoring their fathers wishes. Not exactly feeling him as their beloved father as you stated. Their father actually said to me a few days before he died that I should not trust his children and that they are angry, mean people. He was well aware, and he shared that he feared them. They would often cut him off as a way of dealing with any anger they had toward this very gentle, sweet man. One son even cut him off for 4 years and did not allow him to see his 5 children including not allowing him to see them as he was dying. ************** often stated he didnt trust them which is why he designated me as his legal health care proxy. This is why there were so few people at his funeral because his nearest and dearest friends and colleagues were very aware of their cruelty toward him and to me. All of these people are also in disbelief that you as a funeral director were not better trained and professional in knowing how to handle a situation such as this and by taking sides in a situation you couldnt possibly know. Shame on you! As a well respected and very experienced psychotherapist I am in a professional and personal position to recognize pathology . So you are right, I was well aware of what was going on and how to deal with a family going through pathological bereavement. And you should have the experience to know that too and effectively deal with it. Not by getting in the middle of it. Expecting that I wouldnt be outraged and enraged was totally unrealistic on your part. ************** would have been horrified. As far as attending the funeral parlor another day, you are apparently ignorant that Jews dont have wakes or open caskets. The point of a funeral is not to be with the deceased but to be with the grieving to provide support and comfort toward one another. You in your ignorance, hurt many people who are Dr. ****** and my friends and loved ones, who in solidarity with he and I would never attend such a sham funeral and certainly without my expected presence there. Again, shame on you! A funeral director should have integrity and a code of ethics and never do harm.