Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home & Forest Park Lawndale

I recently purchased a gravesite at Forest Park Lawndale, and I had a very positive experience. Jose Cuellard was incredibly professional, patient, and compassionate throughout the entire process. He explained everything clearly, never made us feel rushed or pressured, and treated our family with genuine care and respect. During what can be a difficult and emotional time, Jose made the experience smooth and reassuring. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained, and we feel confident in our decision. I highly recommend Forest Park Lawndale and especially Jose Cuellard for his outstanding service.

We had a wonderful time at the annual Dia de Los Muertos festivities. It was very well organized , great food options and amazing vendors and performances. Thank you Mrs Ashley for organizing this great event! Grit and Grain

My aunt recently purchased a plot with one of the family service counselors Jose Cuellar, he provided a tour of the cemetery to show all of our options. He made it very easy for us to make a decision and decided to purchase the next plot next to my aunt. Thank you Jose Cuellar for being patient, sweet, and professional.

If anyone needs a Family Service Counselor to purchase a cemetery lot at Forest Park Lawndale, my wife and I would like to highly recommend Diego Alarcon as a Family Service Counselor. Unlike some other counselors we have seen who are more interested in selling a lot just to make a commission and will do or say anything to achieve that result, Diego understands the importance of finding the right eternal future resting place for his clients that meets their particular desires. He went above and beyond what most counselors would do to help us find exactly what we were looking for, even if it that meant he had to spend additional time to search the cemetery’s records looking for the one lot that would meet our particular criteria. That hard work and desire paid off, as Diego was able to find the perfect lot that met our needs. We are so happy and pleased with our purchase that would not have been possible without Diego’s efforts. Thank you very much Diego. If you are interested in working with a knowledgeable, caring, helpful, compassionate and persistent Family Service Counselor, Diego is certainly the right person to seek out.

My family and I had a fantastic time at El Dia de Los Muertos, organized by Ashley, who did an amazing job of planning this event.

Betsy was so kind and professional with helping setting up an appointment for me as well preparing me on how the process goes. I met Deynah and she was very patient, kind, and understanding. She was very on top of things each step of the way and went above and beyond to help me coordinate, taking things off of my plate. I really appreciate all that they did and would highly recommend them to help you with your loved ones

We just had a funeral for our mother at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home. Ajee, who was in charge of the visitation and service, along with Lorraine, who was in charge of the gravesite portion, walked us through the process answering any and all questions we had. Ajee did an excellent job preparing a side table with pictures of Mom, matching Mom’s previous fingernail polish, repainting them so they looked beautiful, and putting on a red scarf to match! Lorraine had everything organized from our first meeting, having the number of chairs we requested, the spray on top of the casket, to the end of a moving gravesite service. Both ladies went above and beyond making Mom’s funeral beautiful! Thanks to all❤️

Although my representative, Ms. Janie Harris, was on vacation at the time of my father’s passing, she took the time to personally reach out and extend her condolences to our family. She also reassured us that we were in capable hands during her absence and followed up with us upon her return. Her compassion, professionalism, and genuine kindness left a lasting impression and were deeply appreciated during such a difficult time.

They treated us with dignity and were very conscientious of the needs of our family. My mother's funeral was peaceful and without a doubt that the Forest Park Lawndale personnel were second to none in terms of details , timing and professional . I am grateful Mr Craig Hannah and Eric Salinas, Dana and Ron and the staff.

This place was not prepared nor thought about traffic control for Marcelo Garcia III funeral. It was running on a skeleton crew and was running people off threatening people from seeing and paying respects. This was unbelievable waiting for hours! What a horrible experience.

I do requests for FindaGrave and the new people are very unhelpful. I used to be able to go in and find the location of some of the graves and get them. I tried since Dignity took over and had a very unhelpful experience. Also, one of the ladies that worked there was just plain disagreeable. I will never be buried here!

I didn't expect this. Folks not able to find the headstone. Truly disappointing. Never used to be like this

Lawn care doesn't exist no more and this is where the babies are at!!! We never saw it this bad in 15 years!

I recently came here to visit a loved one. It was 30 years ago that I lost someone that totally devastated me. I use to come often to visit but, now I only come on birthdays and a few holidays. Since I come to the cemetery different times of year I see the grounds in different conditions. When I visited on Sunday (8.8.21) the grounds were very well maintained. With Houston being so darn hot I expected to see some dead grass. This was not the case. The grounds were well maintained. Thank you so much for taking care of the grounds so well in Babyland. It is hard enough to visit but seeing it unkept is just an added pain. Unfortunately I did see a few grave stones that have fallen in. This happens I get it; but this is an easy fix. Overall, my visit was wonderful. RIP

We went there this past Memorial Day for a specific celebratory service of a person. The staff either ignored us, yelled at us to not park in a certain area, or refused to help, insisting that we belonged with a larger Memorial Day service that was being help. Like I get it, there's a Memorial Day service, but if the guy had bothered to listen to us, he would have figured out we were there to do a honorary celebration of someone on Memorial Day - not part of a larger Memorial Day celebration as that event was specific to the person we were trying to visit. The map we had was also hard to understand and navigate. We were driving around for about 20 minutes and then saw our friends leaving, because the service/event ended. We missed the entire thing! How terrible is that. If the staff had taken the time to help us, we wouldn't have and worst we were one of several people for that particular individual who weren't able to go to the event, because staff couldn't be bothered to help us. They may help you during an actual funeral service, but when doing services post death, the customer service and attention to detail is atrocious. These memory services are supposed to be solemn events. A little communication amongst the staff wouldn't hurt.

Absolutely horrible place to choose for funeral services. They let a person who is barely related to the deceased claim to be the daughter and make all the decisions on their behalf. Did not even verify their relation to the deceased. Made 90% of the family angry because they lied to everyone about service times and visitation. I would give zero stars but not an option. There are much better choices out there to respect your loved one.

These people are nothing but money grabbers. They have devised so many ways to sell you something during your time of grief. My recommendation is to find a family funeral home to work with. My wife's family bought a plot from these people in the 30s which we are just now using. They want $1800 just to bury someone. From what I hear they will try to sell you something even at the graveside. Go elsewhere if you can.

The people are nice when they are trying to sell you but after that they could care less. I came back from out of town and only been here once before so I decided to ask for help . The front desk lady with straight brown hair had this funk attitude . When I ask for info she made unnecessary remarks. She was bothered and annoyed that we ask her to do her job . As I sat there waiting for a while she just sat there not doing much . With that attitude you all need to find someone else

Without any Doubts, I would Recommend Forest Park Lawndale, During a Recent Visit I was greeted by Sylvia, with a Warm Smile and a Heart full of Compassion, My Family has always been welcomed with opened arms. and ready to address Our Needs in so many unique and special ways Thanks Sylvia for a Job Well Done. the James B. Casey Family Bud-Patti-Harrell-Carolyn, and Michael.

While visiting a grave site my car window was smashed and my purse stolen from the floor board of my back seat. The back windows are very darkly tinted so someone had to look really hard for the purse....or was trolling and watching for mourners. I was at the grave site about 25 minutes when I found the damage. And, yes my car doors were locked. While on the phone with the police I started to receive calls and text messages that someone was trying to use my cards at the Walgreens on Reveille.... I did go to the office to report the break-in and first an employee kind of sneered and said there were signs about locking your car and hiding valuables. When I said I saw no signs she then offered to call the constable. I've not heard from anyone at Forest Park since the incident. This is not the first negative experience I've had with Forest Park Lawndale employees.

Warning for any burial at any cemetery: Take valuables to grave site and keep windows rolled down and doors unlocked. Sales people were polite and helped us through decisions, but front desk people ( or person...not sure if its the same one each time) seemed harsh and bothered. I had the same feeling all four times I visited over course of a few months. Twice to discuss new stone for my parents, third time to handle another family member's funeral arrangements, and fourth was on day of burial. On day of burial I was a little bothered by the sight and sound of the machines creeping up to us almost immediately after the gravesite ceremony, especially since I told the director that we did not want to stay for the lowering so to please allow a little time. He had assured me that we would have sufficient time to linger before the machines came. As I recall, I saw the machines quickly driving over even as mourners were still lined up to say goodbye to the family. In the directors defense, he quickly tried to stop them, but they didn't back away...they just sat there idling their engines about 30 feet away. Additionally, on day of burial, five of our group's vehicles were broken into while we were at burial, some 70 feet away (?). Yes, this could happen anywhere, but they did not handle it well at all. That same lady at front desk merely handed the phone to us and said "Here, you can call the police". Security didn't show up for a long time. We learned that the guard did not start working until 3pm. We had a 2pm burial! Totally unacceptable! To front desk personnel...all you need to do is lend a few kind words to people and be polite. Remember that your clients are going through the worst times of their lives when they see you. I will give more stars to Brookside Cypress Creek, an affiliated funeral home where we held visitation. They did an excellent job.

My baby died 12/13/1972. I found the information on Ancestry.com.after the call today. I must have input it long ago and forgot. She was very premature. I never got to see her or go to her funeral as I had a c-section. Back then you had to stay in the hospital for 10 days. I have never had the money to buy a marker. I called today asking what day she passed away and what the marker requirements are. I ASKED HER 4 TIMES FOR THIS INFORMATION. She kept telling me to come out there and get the information that it was to much trouble to look it up because it was so long ago and she would have to research the old files and call me back. told her I now live in Spring and it is very far to come out there. This woman refused to give me the date or the requirements. I told her that I do not intend to buy a monument from them. I have an outside company that I need the information for. She kept telling me that they don't guaranty outside monuments. Then said very curtly and rudely THANKS FOR BEING SO NICE TO ME AND HUNG UP ON ME. I WILL NEVER USE THIS CEMETERY AGAIN, MY HUSBANDS FAMILY IS BURIED THERE AND MY EX HUSBANDS FAMILY IS THERE AND MANY FRIENDS. I called the GM to research it but the damage is done. I might have her moved to so other cemetary.

I visited Forest Park Lawndale on 10-2-2019 to make arrangements to bury a loved one's ashes in the last plot left in my family's section. In 1958 my deceased father purchased 4 burial plots which I inherited and have the original deed dated 2-14-1958. My mother and father occupy 2 of the plots. In 2007 my sister and I brought our information in to the Forest Park office to transfer the ownership and to designate who would occupy the final two plots. A Family Service Counselor filled out a Pre-Need Burial Authorization form with the pre-need names assigned on it and my sister became the lot owner because I didn't need the plots which I had inherited as the Executor of my mother's will. My sister died in 2016 and is in her assigned plot. My cousin died 9-6-19 and I planned to bury his ashes in "the" remaining plot. But during the meeting with Mr. Mohan, he asked me if my brother was buried there. Assuming he was talking about the Forest Park Cemetery I told him no; he was buried elsewhere. Then he inquired about my brother's descendants and I told him he had a son, which is no secret, who is in his 40's and lives in Phoenix. He immediately informs me that my nephew will have to sign & have notarized & return a Pre-Need Burial Authorization form before I can bury my loved one's ashes. This is after I had selected all that was needed for the ashes to be buried in the designated plot. And, also, two hours after I had begun the conference with him which I thought would go very quickly - wrong! I told him I wanted to talk to his supervisor. He brought her into the room and she verified everything he had said. We had already set a date & time for the burial to take place and now they're backtracting on everything. I was furious and left there in time for all the 5 o'clock traffic. Bottomline: I had done all the proper things with their office and then it was all for naught. Tread very cautiously with them if you have a similar situation. G. L. Lang

I recently went to a burial at the Lawndale cemetery on 10/28/16. While the park is pretty and well kept. The way they ran the burial was TERRIBLE. While the man that passed away wasn't my father nor was I paying for the funeral arrangement, had he been I would've spoken up. To begin with, they rushed the family and friends out from the seating away. In the middle of the toasts and speeches on remembering our friend, the workers began disassembling the whole burial set up. Literally rushed us through everything, no time to say our last goodbyes and place flowers in the casket, the worker had already boxed the casket up and was lowering him into the ground. They did not sympathize for the family or friends, they were simply concerned with getting to the next burial as quick as possible. Very rude and inconsiderate of the funeral workers and the "managers" to just allow it to happen. I hope people reading this take this review seriously because you will be disappointed. Find a place that cares about your grief and not just your money.

I'm sure this is one of the hardest jobs to have, but we had my dads funeral here in March. As much as I didn't want to be planning or having a funeral, Olga helped us and was the MOST incredible person to work with. She answered ALL of my questions extremely fast, gave me as much info and guidance as she could and was super supportive. It takes a strong person to be able to do this job, and to be able to be there for these families each day, I would recommend Olga to everyone.

Beatriz is amazing! Beatriz and Rudy, with Crespo Funeral Home Broadway, work together fanaminaly. Together, they made this process, surprisingly, enjoyable: less painful. So much so, they were a part of both my parents funeral planning and service. I'm grateful to their collaboration.

I have never worked with a service business with so little regard for their customer. I have been trying to get a grave marker on my husbands grave for many months now. I am putting a custom marker on his grave, but it is fairly simple (see photo example). I paid for the maker on January 11, 2018 before they would send my mock up to the art department. I received a similar mock up of the stone back fairly fast. Not exactly what I asked for. Requested changes be made. Guess it made them mad that I didn't want to go with what THEY wanted and not what I wanted. Has been 6 weeks now with no new art work. Only get excuses. Before they were paid I was getting 2 and 3 calls a day. Now that hat they have the money nothing is happening. I could have gone to an outside monument maker, but was told Forest Park Lawndale would not guarantee it if anything happened to it like their mowers or trucks running over it. I also live in west Texas which would have required two trips to Houston; one to take the stone down there and another to see it after it was set. I was told it would take awhile to set the stone if I were to bring them one. Very frustrating.

Honestly, 1 star is way too much to give to this place. I will be writing a very long review, but here is what you can take from this, DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS PLACE!!!! There are better options out there. My father passed last January (in 2020) and he paid for 2 plots, for my mom and him to have upright monument rights. We did not find out that they were not going to honor my father's contract until my dad had been buried in the ground for over 4 months. Since last year, our family has met with several different employees and have gotten the run around, they have told us everything under the sun to pacify us and never follow through, and then its just call us back on this date and let's arrange for you to meet with this person or that. We have met with Manuel Mercado, his assistant, a woman named Tina, Ricardo Ruiz and then we have spoken to Anthony Crespo were trying to meet with him and again, we got the run around. We are at the point of filing a lawsuit against these guys. They have insulted us by even saying they could dig my dad out of the ground and move him somewhere else and charge us more, even more disgusting is that they jacked up their prices for a footstone, which is what they said we were entitled to, 200% and then said they were giving us 50% discount, which after shopping right across the street, we found out they were actually charging us more than retail price. I called to make the last appointment with Anthony and after I called to leave a message letting him know we could meet with him, he called and left me a message pretending not to know who I was. Their staff are incompetent and cannot take a decent message, even Anthony told us he was having difficulty finding good help. We are at the last straw here, we warned them there would be a lawsuit and that we would spread the word all over social media and they just laughed and have continued to ignore us. This is the first of several blasts we will make on social media and we will make sure to make our lawsuit public. Please do not do business with these people, they are like vultures taking advantage of people at the worst moment of their lives. They will not honor your contract, they will make excuses and will say the person that represented them did not know what they were doing. There are way more reputable places to go to than this place.

I highly recommend Tina Palomo! She is very professional, informative and compassionate. See her to pre-plan your funeral arrangements so your family is not left with the financial burden and your final wishes will be met.

Don't waste your time with Dignity , Use a family owned funeral home that cares, Harden family funeral home in Spring Branch took over the service that dignity ruined, $ 20,000 vs $7,000. Big Difference. Dignity rushes every one and won't even give you a chance to put closure on there loved one.. Mr Harden at Harden Family Funeral Home was a true gentlemen and assisted us in everything and Showed Respect.

Unfortunately, the chronically-ill son of a close friend passed away, and we went to a visitation and burial at this chapel and cemetery. The cemetery was founded in about 1922, was built on the banks of Brays/Braes Bayou, and has grown over the last 90+ years to over 250 acres, extending all the way from Lawndale to the Gulf Freeway access road. The grounds, from what we could see, are beautifully maintained, and some parts of them are artistically landscaped, with large fountain-fed ponds, rolling terrain, etc. Other parts are fairly plain, and yet other parts apparently have not yet been developed. There are some family monuments there that range from simple to simply magnificent. At the time this cemetery was founded, there were probably only 2-3 relatively large cemeteries in the city, and this one has continued to thrive. The only problems I could find were that in a relatively large funeral (approximately 60-80 people attending the interment), parking was on both sides of the road, so that until people in front left, there was no way out for those in back. Also, roads in the far reaches of the cemetery are not marked well as far as directions out of the cemetery.

On Road trip- stopped here for Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins grave- they were very helpful, guy in golf cart showed us the way. Granted this was a different situation than most, but they were great.

This establishment made the difficult task of planning services for the passing of our loved one as easy it could have been. The care, attention to detail and genuine concern that everything went well on our behalf was clearly evident by our Funeral Director, Maria Lopez. She helped guide us through the difficult choices, gave us space when we needed and was there to answer all our questions. We had the most beautiful service and it was planned in only two days!! I can't thank Maria and everyone at the funeral home enough.

After burying our mother in November 2018 and having signed all the paperwork the burial marker (plaque) still has not been ordered by the funeral home. We visited the office again in May 2019 and spoke to another employee that promised the plaque would be ordered. Obviously was not done. Now it's September, and after several calls and emails with no answers from their monument and headstone manager I finally heard back from J.B. Landrum on the 5th who I met with. Mr. Landrum promised to take care of ordering the plaque and would let me know what the monument company says would be a good delivery date. It is the 9th and I haven't heard anything. Not so sure on their promise to make the whole process less stressful and that they actually care about the families.

I do grave walking for a website called FindAGrave and have several requests for Forest Park Lawndale. When I went out there the first time to get a map and make sure it was ok, they were VERY nice and friendly and said sure, no problem. As I am out on the property, staff would drive around and make sure everything was ok. He stopped us at one point to make sure and I told him I had permission to do what I was doing and he said no problem. He asked if I had things in order and bottom line was, we went in the office and spent about an hour talking to him. He was very friendly, professional and knowledgeable. He gave me a packet of information to look over. In the next few weeks, I will be going out there to pre pay for my cremation. I would recommend them. On the other hand, Forest Park East which is owned by the same company is totally different...........this is my experience with them and I did post a review for them as well... I do grave walking for a website called FindAGrave and have several requests for Forest Park East. When I went out there the first time to get a map and make sure it was ok, the woman at the desk as you walk in was very snotty and told me she would call someone. She hung up and said I could only take pictures with requests. I asked her if she would like me to bring them in after printing them off FindAGrave. She called someone and asked them if they would "come up here and explain this to her". A man came up and I explained to him again what I wanted to do and he said if it was on FindAGrave, that WAS the request and it was ok. I just went out there yesterday to do more work and stopped at the office because the locations are plots, lots, numbers. I asked another snotty woman this........."I was told if I have requests I could take pictures of a headstone but I have a question"....her response...."Ooookkkkkaaaayyyy". I asked her how could I tell in a particular lot what section was what and she said there were small sqaures in the ground with that information on them....BS. I found the little stones but they had letters on them, not section numbers. I took some of the pictures I had requests for and little do they know because of their attitude I took some I didn't have requests for. I would NEVER recommend Forest Park East to anyone because if they are that way with someone asking questions, I'd hate to see how they treat a family that is mourning. Sad thing is, they are owned by Dignity just like Forest Park Lawndale and Lawndale is WONDERFUL. I couldn't find my grandmother's grave so I called the office and a very nice man told me if I'd have stopped at the office he would have taken me out there. He sent two very nice ladies out there that showed me exactly where the grave was, AND they don't say you have to have requests to photograph headstones. My question is, if they are both owned by the same company, why is it ok at one and you have to have requests at the other? Makes no sense to me

Forest Park Lawndale is a joke. DO NOT REPEAT DO NOT place your love one here if you care. Why because they don't. Once they got your money that's it. Once they are in the ground unless you personally clean your own grave they will not. Grass and weeds will grow over the ground marker. They got this new section in the Guardian of Angels. Yea right side is great they just built it for show but walk over to the left side. Yea that's what your grave that you paid for will look like. They tell you anything when you complain about something but that's just to shut you up..go to another any other but don't go to Lawndale at Forest Park

DO NOT USE THESE HORRIBLE SELFISH PEOPLE! To begin grandfather was a WWII and Korean US veteran. After the passing it took the funeral over 6 hours to retrieve the body and when they came it was 2 small girls to pick up the body. Why would they send small females to retrieve a body, luckily grandpa was small but they still had the AUDACITY to ask the FAMILY to transfer the body from the bed on to their stretcher! THE FAMILY SHOULD NEVER EVER HAVE TO DO THAT!!!! What if they were coming to pick up a 400 pound body?! The family had a meeting to discuss the wake and burial service, 21 gun salute and the same priest from the wake to do the burial. The wake was great, very nice facility. The family was notified the day before the funeral that the funeral home was double booked and the 21 gun salute was not possible for grandpa. Then, the priest did not show up to the burial!!! He said he was not coming because that was not what was discussed in the meeting when over 6 members of the family was there and know thats what they agreed on. Even if it was a missunderstanding you would think that the priest, who is just standing outside would have the sympathy to do the graveside ceremony. The staff is not friendly or sympathetic at all, they just stood and gawked at the family during the reception. We paid this OVERPRICED company to send away this veteran in a beautiful tribute and their lack of organization and sympathy did not allow that to happen. Such disrespect to a UNITED STATES VETERAN. PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF PAIN AND MONEY AND DO NOT USE THIS EVIL COMPANY.

I've had several family members buried at this cemetery. They're very helpful and comforting people. One day I went to put a rose on my father's grave and even though they were out of roses, they went out of their way to find one.

I sent flowers to a family funeral and specifically ordered them directly from a local florist to ensure they were delivered in time for 4 pm Viewing. They were delivered to the flower room and signed in at 2 PM according to the funeral home procedure. However the funeral home employee neglected to deliver them to the viewing room and therefore they were not present during the viewing. When I called Forest Park the next day they kept me on hold, after it took me explaining 3 times what my question was and why it was a problem! while they located the flowers and said they were sorry they weren't in the room yesterday --- isnt this their business ?? I saw in google+ other complaints about flowers etc.

I just don't feel welcome there anymore. Not only do I not feel welcome, I feel sad...and a bit angry, but perhaps some of that is just part of my own grieving. I have been going there ever since I could remember and have always loved visiting. My Mom used to take me there when I was younger and while there we would feed some old bread to the ducks & turtles. As I got older & visited I would sometimes take leftover bread to enjoy those memories. My Mom had lost her parents within a few months of each other. Occasionally, I visit their graves & place flowers as they are buried there along with other extended family members/friends throughout the cemetery. My grandparents passed when I was very young & it wasn't until my Mom passed that I considered how hard that must have been for her. Some of the things I've pondered on my walks there. Usually, I take my dog when visiting & walk about mostly staying on the road. Sometimes, if I see something interesting & want to take a photo, we venture off the road but otherwise we stay on the road. I am careful to make sure my dog isn't tromping/lying down on anyone's grave and I surely don't allow my dog to defecate on any. *If* my dog does have to use the restroom it is in a grave free area & I pick up any solid waste & dispose of it properly. That is nothing to say of any birds, squirrels, rats, possums, raccoons, vagrants, or stray dogs/cats, etc. that might pass through & defecate anywhere on the property, but as for me & my dog, we do respect the property while there. I have walked my last dog & my current dog there on visits spanning the past 15 years or so. There has never been an issue. Most people wave & smile in passing. I realize not everyone likes dogs, but a big reason why I started bringing my dog was because someone had made me feel unsafe during a visit. I didn't return for a while but decided to start taking my dog when I could & it made me feel safer. They have cars that drive through, but they can't be everywhere and bad things can happen quickly. So, yeah, I was a bit surprised to be approached by someone on my last visit & abruptly told that it was not a public park but private property and they did not want me walking my dog there. He did not offer his name and zipped off immediately in his little cart before I could think to ask any questions. There doesn't seem to be anything on the website mentioning dogs aren't allowed. There is some mention of being part of the community, serving others, being a good neighbor, truly caring about people, etc...well, it's certainly not feeling that way for me, at least. Like I said, I've been taking my dog(s) there for years. I've seen others there with dogs and I've even seen a group of dogs (funny memory that one) traveling through on their own. Being so fond of the place, I had considered FP in making arrangements for myself. Not for burial, as I'm planning to be cremated, but just for a service in the chapel & maybe encourage attendees to feed ducks as I have so much enjoyed on my visits. The price I was quoted was steep & I wasn't sure if it included cremation (over 3K), but I hadn't marked it off as a possibility. Well, I will just explore other options. If I can't even bring my dog there, walk around & feel welcomed and safe, I certainly don't want to "celebrate my life" there. Your ad on the yellow pages site mentions "Each one of us is unique with our own story to tell." That's true. I will find somewhere else to have mine told. We also don't all grieve the same ways. Some of us grieve by taking walks through the cemetery with their dog. I will share this part of my story with other people. Just remember: this is private property. Once you & your family gives them money and turns over the remains of your loved ones in their care, they don't have to treat you with any dignity or respect. They can treat you however they choose.

What can I say to express the pity I have for their customers... I was trying to bury my Mother around the same time as Bud Adams was buried. I guess they were stressed and oblivious to the needs of any other customer. I presented with a burial policy that my Mother had bought years before and they said they did not have time to investigate the validity of the policy. The Funeral Director, Eric Matula, stated they would follow-up with the policy but I needed to pay in advance. I paid...and this is where their interest in our family ended. I was delegated to the Office Manager, Narde Macias-Davis and she stated that Forest Park Lawndale had no further obligation and/or interest in investigating the policy or its benifits to me. She instructed me that I would have to collect on the policy myself. Narda instructed their office assistant, Jennifer Gammon, to find out what information I would need to provide to the Funeral Director's Life Insursance Company (FDLIC) to collect on my own. (Jennifer is a decent human being following instructions from Narda) I followed instructions provided and the policy was cut in half and a 1099 was issued. What I did not understand was that the IRS considers this payment as income and has filed a 50% income and self employment tax burden that I must bear. Eric Matula never followed up on us or his promise to us... What has happened to me cannot be changed... I write these words as a warning for all that have burial policies and the responsibility that Forest Park takes in assisting the customer... They take no responsibility and never will... Why would they? That would require sensitivity... They only understand numbers...you are only as good as your final payment. WORD OF CAUTION...DO NOT ALLOW FOREST PARK TO COLLECT FROM YOU IF YOU HAVE A BURIAL POLICY...FORCE THEM TO CONTACT THE PROVIDER... YOU WILL NOT REGRET READING THESE WORDS!!!

My family and I had a terrible experience here. It was stressful, poor service on day of funeral, driver kept getting lost and/or confused or both. We were left, some under the cover,some not, on a cold rainy day waiting for men to lower casket. We were asked and told them at a meeting we DID want to be there for that, so they were informed. Unfortunately I tipped the driver 60.00 in the beginning so I wouldn't forget. BIG mistake. When he let me out of limo at gravesite he stood there with umbrella. I said are you ready to take me to gravesite, he said I don't need to be there. I asked if he would give me the umbrella so I could walk over. Even though he had keys to limo he stood out in cold & rain (really), after a lengthy time while we were all waiting he walked over to grave site and said 'ARE WE WAITING TO PUT THIS THING IN THE GROUND?'. I informed him 'that thing' was my husband. I did NOT get back in lemo with him. I was suppose to get an opportunity from another company to send in a review but once they learned I was unhappy guess they didn't turn in my name (one way to hide your unhappy customers). I am still waiting. They asked me to sign a paper (guess they forgot before) and a, suppose to be, professional business office sent me a form, BLANK in all areas THEY were to fill out, with a 'tag' where I was to sign and return. REALLY???? I hope they don't delete this and people have an opportunity to read my experience. I do not trust or respect them. I have a paid spot there but probably won't use it and put my family through that again. I am definitely looking and checking and think even having to pay would b worth it. I rate them EXTREMELY POOR. Charlene Legler

We recently had my aunts service at this funeral and very very poor handling of the funeral service was handled in my eyes. An hour before the service was about to start the funeral service was very unprofessional with how they handled my aunts service. It involved money unfortunately and with that being they waited until the last hour to tell us that one of the credit cards was declined and they could no longer continue with the service...Who does that.. I know money is everything now a days and without it you cant do much-but everything should have been taking care of since the funeral arrangements we made not wait until the day of the service to decide to run the credit card and tell us we cant go on with the service. THis place was ridiculous... I will continue to visit my family members but hope to never deal with them ever again when it comes to someone passing away...