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| - This review is based on my experiences during the past week. I hope that it helps someone in a similar situation. My friend's husband passed away last week. I helped her with all the arrangements. Even though her husband had been sick for some time, we did not look into
arrangements for death (seemed a little premature) until the time arrived. Of course, when
the time arrives everyone is too much in shock to make an informed decision. Hospice
had provided my friend with a list of mortuaries. Not knowing which one to choose, she chose
the one most convenient to her house. She called and asked if the mortuary would pick her
husband's body up in 4 hours (yes, you CAN do this). This gave her some time to be alone
with her husband. Four hours later, two young men showed up from Dignity Memorial (NOT the mortuary that we had called), in two unmarked vans, with the lights off. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE??!!?? I am very suspicious. Well, after MANY questions and demanding ID from these two young men, it turns out that Dignity Memorial is like an umbrella company, and they own 28 (I am told) mortuaries in the Valley. They were VERY nice young men (and very respectful), and explained that the body would be taken to a central location for all Dignity Memorial bodies. They pick up for all of the Dignity Memorial mortuaries.
If we chose a mortuary NOT under the Dignity Memorial umbrella, we would still need to pay a $695.00 transportation fee to transport the body from the home to the Dignity Memorial central location. If we chose a mortuary that WAS part of Dignity Memorial, the transportation fee would be included in the final costs. (Lesson learned: If you have the time, choose a mortuary BEFORE you transport the body to avoid fees from two places). The next day, I had the time to call around for my friend. Fees for services, funerals, burials, and cremations vary widely, even among the mortuaries that are in the Dignity Memorial system. After several phone calls, and price comparisons, we chose Melcher Mortuary Chapel of the Roses in Mesa. This was based on 1) convenience (in the East Valley), 2) best costs, 3) they were the nicest and most helpful people on the phone, and 4) they were part of the Dignity Memorial system (thus, avoiding the two-mortuary charge). Choosing a mortuary was the most difficult part. They took over from there, and made everything that followed so easy.
I was with my friend during every part of the arrangements. She was dazed, and did not
need to be making these decisions alone. Also, I had read some terrible "funeral home scam" stories, and felt I needed to be there to protect her from any scams or hard-sells from the funeral home.
I need not have worried. EVERY SINGLE PERSON that I encountered with Melcher Mortuary Chapel of the Roses, and the Dignity Memorial Crematorium in Mesa (where my friend's husband was cremated) was AMAZING. They were professional every step of the way, and sincerely kind and caring people. While they did present her with all the options (do you want an obituary? do you want flowers? etc.) there was no "hard-sell" at any time. I am happy they presented her with all of the options - we chose a few things that we had not previously considered. There were no scams, no hard-sells, no surprises, and the costs were very reasonable - but, most importantly of all, they were VERY kind and professional people who took care of everything during a most difficult time.
I would like to give my highest recommendation to Melcher Mortuary Chapel of the Roses in Mesa. They exceeded my expectations every step of the way.
I would also like to send my deepest thanks and appreciation to Carmen, Jaime, Heather, Caitlyn, Denise, Hollie, the crematorium folks (I am sorry - I forgot your names), the weekend receptionist who took time away from her job duties to talk to me while I waited (I am sorry - I didn't get your name), the two transportation guys, and any others that I may have forgotten. You are very special people. Thank you for everything.
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