Patterson Cremation and Funeral Service

“I'd like to clarify the record regarding a previously posted review by Ronda Mackie. Ms. Mackie is not an involved or decision-making member of the immediate family, and her review does not reflect the experience of those who were directly responsible for arrangements or communication with the funeral home. After a tragic and unexpected car accident, Mrs. Glover and the entire team at Patterson Cremation and Funeral Service acted immediately, navigating an extremely complex situation with professionalism, compassion, and persistence. Despite challenges outside of their control, they continued working diligently over two weeks after his passing to ensure everything possible was handled properly and with dignity. Our experience with Patterson was marked by clear communication, respect, and genuine care during an incredibly painful time. Thank you for going above and beyond for our family when it mattered most.”

— Annalise Clarke

“I see all the great reviews for Patterson's, I wish I could share in that same sentiment. I was referred to this funeral home when I lost my mother last month. The service I received was strictly business with no compassion or empathy. They cremated my mother as a service they offer and did that part fine. When we came the first time, I tried to give the funeral director the benefit of the doubt, that maybe she was having a rough day. There was a repast or viewing going on. She came across as if we were an inconvenience for her. She didn't show any type of empathy or sympathy whatsoever. She seemed even more aggravated when we told her we were paying for the cremation with an insurance policy. She said we should have told her that from the beginning. She never asked how we were going to pay. She only pushed all the papers in front of me and told me where to sign and what I was signing. When we were done as we walked out in the lobby she extended her condolences. However it came across as more of an after thought and not genuine at all. A few weeks later, I got a phone call to let me know my mothers ashes were ready. I specifically asked when I could come and get them. The employee told me I could come whenever I wanted to, that my mothers ashes were in good hands! I also looked on the website to see the hours which state they are open Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm and 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday. We don't live in Jacksonville, so we came up on a Friday night after work in the hopes of getting the ashes Saturday morning. I called in the morning and got no answer and no message that the funeral home was closed. When we got to the funeral home it was closed. We made some phone calls and I eventually spoke to the owner after sending a text, that he never responded to. I asked him simply if he could make an exception and give my mothers ashes to me. To which I got the response that the business hours of the establishment were M-F from 9am-6pm. Mr. Patterson was more concerned about the hours of his funeral home than the fact that I was inconvenienced and took a two and a half hour trip only to return home empty handed. He didn't seem to care that I am mourning the loss of a parent and coming up to Jacksonville only made it that much harder. When I asked to have the ashes shipped at their expense, he declined and told me they can be shipped at my expense. I told him that I had already paid for gas, food and a hotel. He wasn't concerned and repeated a few more times about the business hours. He told me to call the funeral director on Monday and she would take all the information for shipping the ashes. I talked to her that following Monday, and she told me after talking to the owner, they decided to pay $100 of the shipping expenses, to which I would pay the remaining $125. I told her I didn't agree with that but I just wanted my mother's ashes. When the ashes came a few days later, the postage on the box was only $55.40. They obviously covered nothing and charged me more money than necessary to ship the ashes. I'm disappointed and disheartened by this whole situation. This has only added on to the sadness I already feel with having lost my mother. My suggestion to this establishment would be to update the hours on the website, take some sensitivity courses for Mr. Patterson and his staff. And remember that the business that you are in, should be to treat each family with compassion, dignity and respect and if you can't do that, then turn the business away.”

— Sherri Starkes

“If I could give a zero, I would. I was the executor of my father's estate and was responsible for arranging his funeral with Patterson Funeral home and cremator. I began the process at the hospital and initially indicated on paperwork that my father was married. I was told by the Roger that the wife would be the one to receive the ashes and handle to arrangements. When she has relinquished all rights to him while he was alive. We left there so saddened by this news. Roger said he would talk to the wife even after contacting the hospital and learning from the staff that the wife has repeatedly stated she didn't want to be contacted leave her alone about him he told us he was still trying to reach her. I called every other day to check on my father and his body and the statues, and Roger claimed the wife stated she was going to give us the ashes, we waited three weeks and no word. When I called to check again trying to give him time to receive the death certificate etc. Roger told me that she changed her mind, but never once did we receive a curtesy call or clear explanation from the funeral home about the disposition of the remains. Roger even became rude with me at one point during a conversation. Throughout, there was a lack of communication and no transparent discussion of the process or alternative. Given my role as executor and the lack of timely, clear communication, I would never recommending patterson's funeral home. Not today and not ever! I am filing a formal complaint. The person reporting the body (often the next-of-kin) has the right to custody for lawful disposition according to Florida law. As hurt as we are to have lost our father nothing hurt more than the ones who cared for him in his final days to receive nothing and the one who left him kicked him out when he was sick threw his clothes out gets him. October 2024 this is what his wife did while he was sick and in a homecare facility. We were there to pick up the pieces she threw out.”

— Dina Mali