Valley Funeral Home

“If 0 stars was a option, I would give them a 0. I am disappointed by the lack of responsiveness from this funeral home. Over the past two weeks, I made three separate attempts to speak with a funeral director regarding Hmong funeral services—an area where their website is currently inconclusive. ​Jan 20: Left my information with Eric for "Derrick." ​Jan 23: Followed up after no response; a second staff member promised a callback. ​Feb 5: Called a third time. Despite explaining my inquiry, I was again told the director was unavailable and was asked to leave my details once more. ​While I understand that immediate priority is given to active bereavement cases, a professional establishment should be able to return an inquiry within 15 days. If a funeral home cannot manage a simple phone call, I lack the confidence to trust them with the complex logistics of a loved one’s final arrangements. ​Recommendation: I advise the Appleton Hmong community to look elsewhere for a provider that values communication and cultural inquiries.”

— Panyia Vang

“Valley Funeral Home is exceptional. I can't say enought about the care and kindness shown from the very beginning. Laura was amazing. She paid attention to the smallest detail, including bring a locket I ordered to the burial so I would have it. In a time of grief when you are walking through unchartered waters, they were there to guide you. My husband and son are now in their final resting places and there is comfort in my heart. It is because of the not only the personal support received, but for the support provided from all the individuals at Valley Funeral Home.”

— Vicky Weiland

“This place was selected by my mother as the place she'd like to manage her final wishes. I went to this place approximately 2 weeks before her passing. I spoke with Wayne, the funeral director; who made it seem as though his best intentions and deepest sympathies were with me. That was all an act come the time my mother had passed. Wayne is an awful human being and he's the Devil himself. Wayne informed me that they pick up peoples loved one immediately 24/7 once pronounced by a M.E. that was LIE. My mother laid in the hospital for over 4 hours and the funeral home kept telling hospital staff they were 15 minutes away for hours! I shared with the funeral home that if my mother passed early day to have a service same day. My mother passed at 7AM, they didn't pick her up until 1:30PM and at 3PM I asked when she would be prepared for visit and I was told no I can't come in and they wouldn't know when I could. Then called me back an hour later saying I could come the next day at 11AM. During arrangement I asked if someone could say some words for my mom during her service. He said yes. Come the next day at 11 I asked Wayne where the person to speak was, he said no one was coming, he didn't know. Also, during the service Wayne and woman that worked there harassed me the whole time asking me to sign papers, asking questions while I was trying to grieve with family. Shortly after us doing our own service, Wayne say that we could only spend an hour due to another service. Then him and the woman stood in the back to rush us out. After, I went to speak to Wayne about the 72hr hold and which day cremation would be. He told me he couldn't tell me which made no sense and should have been known. I asked if I could come back and place some keepsakes with her and he said yes. I told him I would try to make it back later that day, but would probably come in the morning. Around 8AM the next day I called to see when I could come see my mom and was told by WAYNE that he was "extremely busy" and I couldn't. My sister and I then drove there together to question why we were being denied a final farewell. When we arrived to the funeral home no one was there, there wasn't a service or any other people in sight. A lady showed up and I requested to speak to Wayne. She said Wayne was in the basement with another family so we waited. When he showed up he said "what do you need? I told you I'm extremely busy today" I told him I wanted to see my mom for last time like he said I could before he burned her and I wouldn't be able to ever feel her or see her again. He said "well I can't help you, you can't see her because I don't have time and because of where she is at". That grim statement made me question everything going on in that place. Like what do you mean "because of where she is"? After that I froze in shock that such an awful person was denying me something so simple. After that Wayne began raising his voice saying "where are the items x3?" "trust me to place them with her x2". I didn't reply and then he said "where are the items? I don't have time for this I have a family downstairs". I told him to please leave me alone, then he began speaking over me saying "where are the items" repeatedly. He left and I called Appleton police to see if they could help. The police showed up, but due to funeral home regulations so no help. I walked out and left the keepsakes on the table. Next day they called me said we could come back and place the keepsakes with my mom farewell. Although grateful, I was extremely angry because it was DAY 4! This place is God awful take your loved one(s) elsewhere. Just to add this place is uncleanly, when I got the ern there was sticky stuff all over the lady just tried to wipe it off with Windex and said nothing! Spare yourself the trauma I went through here”

— Nellie Van Pay