N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home

After my 6 month old baby passed away we had no clue on where to start and we found this funeral home as soon as we walked in we felt comfortable and supported thank you justyne! For Being such an amazing person and helping us through this painful journey they took very good care of our baby and treated us and made us feel extremely comfortable! Would definitely recommend such great people

NH Scott went above and beyond to address all of our practical and emotional concerns during an incredibly hard time for our family. I cannot say enough good things about Justyne and Jon.

Since the only funeral I have arranged is the one for my wife about seven months ago, I can't tell if N.H. Scott & Hanekamp is the best funeral home or not. All I can do is describe my experience - and hope people can make their own judgment from it.nnWhen my wife, who had cancer, was referred to hospice, she said she wanted to make her funeral arrangements. Upon learning that my wife was Muslim, the cemetery she had chosen to be buried at referred us to Justyne at N.H. Scott saying that she works with an Imam at a mosque in Northbrook and is familiar with Muslim funeral traditions.nnWhen she met with the two of us, Justyne had the best demeanor I could have hoped for in a funeral director. She always appeared professional without being stiflingly formal. Moving deliberately, she looked neither in haste nor lackadaisical. She had a calm, reassuring voice that was neither louder nor softer than necessary. No question ruffled her, no request flustered her. She gave us good advice about things we hadn’t thought about.nnJustyne explained to us which arrangements such as caskets and flowers that Muslim families usually chose as well as the unique arrangements the Imam was okay with. She even up followed up with the Imam regarding questions we had. She explained how the funeral home arranged for the ritual washing of the body that Muslims do before the funeral. We repeatedly wept through these discussions. Justyne responded in a way that a good therapist would — tissues at hand, never speaking more than necessary and never saying anything inappropriate to the moment. Uzma decided who should wash her body and which casket should hold her.nnUzma passed away late in the evening. The staff member from N.H. Scott & Hanekamp, who came to pick Uzma’s body up from our home at 2 am first met with me and explained what he would be doing. He was respectful, thoughtful, and deliberate. He also had an appearance and demeanor like Justyne’s – just right for the context and occasion. Whether it is because of the training N.H. Scott gives their staff or whether it is because they select staff who are already this way, I don’t know, but it made things bearable during such a difficult time.nnOn the day of the funeral, everything happened as planned. Justyne and other funeral home staff were unobtrusive but never hard to find and never unhelpful. There was a room where we had the wake, the eulogies, and prayers. And they also made another room available to us. They let us keep cookies and coffee in the is second room. The atmosphere there was less somber. It was a lifesaver, keeping our young kids and their friends from becoming disengaged.nnWhen the Iman was ready to lead the funeral prayers, Justyne and her colleagues knew exactly where and how much space to create for the Muslim attendees to pray. They just made everything run smoothly and in a manner that would have pleased Uzma. There was nothing slapdash, hasty, or haphazard about it. I don't think it would have mattered if Justyne was familiar with the Muslim funeral tradition or not; she just knew how to listen and how to choreograph the event.nnJustyne had already arranged for my wife's obituary to appear before the funeral in the Chicago Tribune . A few days after the funeral she dropped off the death certificate at our home. When I went to settle the bill, there were no surprises.nnSince my wife's death, I have given some thought to what makes a good funeral home director. First and foremost, like a good therapist, she must listen and comfort well. She must be familiar with the faith traditions of her customers. As the director of the last act in which the deceased plays a part, she must make the different moving parts of a funeral work together without becoming too visible herself. Justyne Scott was all that, and then some.

I can’t begin to say how pleased I was with N.H. Scott Funeral Home. My father passed away on a Tuesday and we waked him on Thursday. Justyne was compassionate and walked us through the entire process. They know about service, we had valet, someone working the door welcoming our family members and friends, they even kept the food and beverages stocked in the kitchen. The layout of the facility was warm and inviting. We went there with the intention of celebrating my father’s life and thanks to Justyne and her staff my fathers wake was more like an event then a wake.

Highly recommend. Very nice people at a time when you really appreciate nice people.