Forest Lawn Memory Gardens & Funeral Home

“I had the rather unfortunate experience of being a pallbearer at a funeral here. I felt it that way because it was the most disorganized and confusing funeral that I have ever attended. First, the employees appearance was sloppy at best, and they continuously failed to explain to us what was going to happen next. By that, I mean that as a pallbearer and I have been at more than just this funeral, I have always been pulled aside once I have been identified as such and explained where I need to be, where we will be carrying the casket, etc. We weren’t given any direction until the moment that something was happening. For instance, I was told to have one more pass by of the body before we carried it out to the hearse. Then I was told to wait outside of the double doors where we would carry the casket to the hearse. However, in doing so when they closed the double doors, most of the other pallbearers, and my wife were on the other side, where the casket was. My wife later informed me that they closed the casket, screwed it down, push down on it, pulled up on it, and made sure it was vacuum sealed in front of all of the mourners that were left inside the viewing area. I have never heard, seen, or known of this being done. They did not lineup any cars behind the hearse and no one told us where we were going. As we drove around the building to find the hearse, it was gone, so we had to catch up to it. When the hearse stopped, the pallbearers naturally gathered around the back door, and the lady directing us, (albeit only when the moment was at hand), just then decided to ask the person who planned the funeral where she wanted to read the passage she had chosen for graveside. First, she told us we were going to carry the casket to a waiting cart. Then she told us we were going to carry the casket up some stairs to the grave. Finally, she asked the person who was in charge of the planning where she wanted to perform the graveside service. As we carried the casket up the stairs, I attempted to grab a railing which almost made all of us fall because the railing was not attached at the bottom. They had attempted to secure it using a hose clamp. If I had not attended this funeral, I would not have believed the story that I am telling. Unfortunately, it is all true. After they lowered the body into the grave, the woman who drove the hearse to the graveside, decided it was a great time to tell the planning party that they still had stuff to clean up at the funeral parlor. What she was so concerned about was a: tray of cookies, a few snacks, and some water. Which were located inside of, what looked more like a banquet hall than a sitting area inside of a funeral home. I always give fair and honest reviews. I have no axe to grind here. This is the very first funeral I have ever been to at Forest Lawn and I wholeheartedly do not recommend this business.”

— Jeremy Poore

“Jennifer and Mark were extremely busy but made time to help us with our arrangements, funeral and burial. They made the entire process seamless. We highly recommend Jennifer and Mark for anyone faced with the loss of a loved one! Julie Shaffer (Gerald Tomey)”

— Mike Shaffer

“We recently did pre-planning with Robyn R. There are not enough words to describe how pleasant, open, honest, yes even fun we had as a family working with Robyn. She explained the options, prices, process and possibilities are endless. I would highly recommend working with Robyn, she couldn't do enough to make us comfortable and help us making our choices. Sincerely, Garmon - Sutter Family”

— Jackie Sutter