Verkuilen Funeral Home

***This is for their FREEDOM location.n(They have one in Little Chute also- reviews for the Freedom site seem to end up here)nnI just brought 4 people in their 80s to the funeral of their friend.nThere were MANY other people there similar in age, and using walkers, canes, etc., needing assistance.nThe seating was so tightly packed, even people much younger and smaller in size were uncomfortable. The chairs could not have been much more than 20 inches across at most, yet were packed tightly side by side.nEven without a coat, people were still uncomfortably shoulder to shoulder with people on either side.nSo before a large number of people were seated, I POLITELY asked the funeral director if those chairs could be spaced out to help these people be more comfortable- especially the elderly and disabled.nHis response: “Why? NO ONE HAS EVER COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS BEFORE YOU! If they want their chairs moved THEY can move them. Or YOU can move them. I’m not moving those chairs!”nI tried explaining that people in a funeral setting, and especially the elderly were not about to walk in and move chairs of their own volition.nHe repeated himself.nSo I moved the chairs myself, and a few other men saw me, thanked me and did the same.nIncidentally, some of the elderly saw this and thanked me as well.nA family’s time of grief should not have to be spent taking care of furniture in facility paid for their services.nOne would think in this business, the owners would consider customer service, ESPECIALLY that toward people who may be in need of it in the future.

There are no words to express our appreciation and thanks for the wonderful celebration of our mom's life. At a time that was stressful for us, we relied on Derek to take care of so much! Explaining each step helped us make decisions and feel somewhat in control of a very difficult situation. From the time he came to us in the middle of the night, to the burial in the cemetery, we felt at ease and in good hands! And for that, we will be forever grateful! But it did not stop there. Mom passed away in June. In December, 5 days before Christmas, Derek & his staff planned a holiday remembrance program for all who had passed away in 2017. The program had special music, readings and a lighting of candles, along with an ornament to take home. It was such a wonderful touch. Derek was as compassionate to us that night as he was during our mom's funeral. As I looked around, I realized that every family there experienced the same compassion that we did. He brought the spirit of Christmas alive! We could not have made a better choice than Verkuilen VanDeurzen Funeral Home when it came to wanting the best for our mom!

What a great person Derek is. He was great in all the planing and the day of the funeral. Could not have had a better experience