Highland Garden of Memories is disrespectful to the dead.
If you need to bury a loved one heed this warning: Don't purchase plots at Highland Garden of Memories in Belvidere, Illinois. It's at the corner of IL route 76 and Squaw Prairie Road. If you do have to deal with them, make sure you are real clear on the details and expect to be lied to.
As some of you may be aware, my husbands Grandmother passed away last Thursday after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease among many other illnesses. Grandma had pre planned most of her funeral arrangements with Fitzgerald Funeral Home. They were wonderful to the entire family, and everything was beautiful and went according to plan. Until we arrived at the Highland Garden of Memories cemetery (where Grandma had her burial plot next to Grandpa) in Belvidere Illinois for graveside services and burial.
Every person who came was under the impression that Grandma would be buried. Every person was confused when we were led into an on site chapel. When the person working at the cemetery was questioned, the only answer he would give was "it's too dark for them to do the work so they were going to do it the next day" and that "the workers had already gone home". What?!?! Seriously, 3:30 PM is too DARK to work outside?? 'Angry' doesn't begin to describe the emotions that went through each and every one of us.
I don't know about anyone else, but the purpose for the graveside services is to create a closure for the family. Most of our family didn't receive this closure because of the inappropriate, uncaring, and indifferent attitude of the cemetery supervisor. Today when my Husband and I returned for the internment with some of his family and the funeral home, we requested a written apology.... and were told "I said I was sorry yesterday".
So many ways to cause him pain went through my head at that moment.
I couldn't BELIEVE he just didn't get it.
Contagion and I feel that this type of behavior cannot be tolerated, and are both outraged by the events. He has a post up regarding Highland Garden of Memories as well, with a few more details. Hopefully our words will strike home to someone and things like this wont happen to anyone else.
Labels: Family Life
posted by KTreva at Tuesday, December 04, 2007
7 Comments:
What a horrible experience. I, thankfully, have never had to deal with any of the issues associated with burying a loved one. I would think the funeral home would also have something to say about this, to the management of the cemetery. A letter to the editor could be good.
They should have at least opened the grave, and interred the casket. If they needed to do some finishing touches on the soil the next morning, that would probably have worked. If I worked at the cemetery, I would do whatever it took to ensure the dignity those who have passed and that the family has nothing to worry about.
This country is going down a dark and disappointing road.
Petey
I am sorry to hear of your experience. It sucked. I hope that you get things worked out so that you and your family have closure. I just don't know what to say. I'll say another prayer that you and your family gets the closure they need some other way.
well, I could think of a few ways myself... and it's awfully convenient that he's already in the cemetery right?
Just want to add that this is one side of the story. What is said and what is heard, particularly when you are in an emotional state can be very different. We've dealt with Highland Garden of Memories a number of times and have always been more than satisfied with their service and compassion.
Another point, using heavy equipment in the dark, 3:30 in December, it is dark by 4:30... is dangerous. Once the service is done there is still a lot of work for the grounds crews to perform.
Fuck hgom as assholes!
I have been with highland now for 15 years started in 1997.... And have been there till presently..... This Has never happened under my watch and never will there are so many recources for fighting the dark....... No matter what the loved ones cared for are and will never be disrespected..... This reuly sounds like a story of a very dissapointed peerson who didnt get there way and decided to leave False aqusations about Highland for whatever reason.... This never happened and never will NO Matter How DARK it gets we have a job to do and have always done it never ever asked someone to wait until the next day............ NEVER HAPPENED..........
Yes this did happen - It seems very pretentious of you to assume something never happened without having full knowledge of the events, and then to post as anonymous just shows you don't have the balls to actually talk about it with us.
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