"There is a reason I called you that fateful night. A gut feeling, "whim", I believe I said. In hindsight I have learned how much you prepare for the loss of someone so dear to you; and you are never ready to experience the end. As difficult and surreal to accept the reality that she was gone, you were there... understanding, compassionate and funny too. A trait my mother always attracted. I am writing to you to let you know you made the hardest time of my life so beautiful. You created such a wonderful tribute; my last trip to the beach with Mom, literature I will cherish forever and lets not forget the soundtrack you played. The CD is now listened to on a regular basis, kinda like breakfast. Oh and do not let me forget the Veteran's Day flags all waving in glory. Thank you sooooo much, and the rest of the boys too!"

~Kris Hennessey

" Jim, I truly appreciated all that you have done for my family, my Mom and especially myself. I asked you the night of my Dad's death to give dignity to his life......and you far exceeded my expectations. You told "his" story in a wonderful way. Thank you for giving me a memory that will last forever in my mind and heart."

 

~ Jack Hally

Hi Jim,

    I reveled in the comments that every person who came to honor my Dad made.  Everyone was impressed by level of detail, dignity, thought, and indeed the classy sendoff that my Dad received.  I knew instinctively when I met you that your funeral parlor was more than a funeral parlor, more than a building, but a place with a soul where I could entrust my Dad's final journey to a local small businessman, who like him, is a skilled craftsman that is pioneering an industry. We all fear death and don't look forward to the process of saying goodbye.   You reinforced a value that Dad always hammered into me, that is the value of dealing with, not a corporation, not a municipal library, but with a person who respects you and your product and will appreciate that which you provide.

 

    Comments like "I've been to all our relatives funerals, but I've never seen a send off like this" and "these guys have captured every detail" and "Uncle Tommy must be sitting there with Rita saying I'm glad to be back with you but did you see the sendoff" or finally, "you must be proud of the way you said goodbye".  There wasn't a single person that I spoke to who didn't have something nice to say about the setting, the details, the Mass at St. Mary's and the very last Irish goodbye at Mountain View.  Things that I never would have thought of, like the Irish practice of bearing the casket on the shoulders of the pallbearers as a sign of ultimate respect, just kept popping up all day.

 

    When I first met you I told you my expectation was to have every detail taken care of, that no stone be unturned, that no shortcut was to be taken that my Dad be given a very appropriate, dignified and classy farewell. You have by far exceeded my family's expectations. 

 

     In choosing Heald & Chiampa I lived up to my Dad's expectations and I am beaming with pride over what we did for him.

 

On behalf of my Dad, the Moroney family and me very personally, thank you Jim,

 

Bob Moroney

Dear Jim, John & Dave,

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking each and every one of us by the hand and guiding us through a beautiful, emotional, and Holy celebration of my father's life. In a very short time you became part of the family. You not only learned everybody's name, you also developed a quick understanding of the unique personalities and relationships that weave through the fabric of the Dirksmeier clan. We all felt so secure in the knowledge that you would take care of everything at a time when our hearts were weary and filled with sadness.

We so appreciated the many exquisite touches to your services, from the beautiful programs and prayer cards, to the lovely slide show and custom thank you notes. And the Sumner House...it is simply beautiful. We would have wanted nothing less to show our love and appreciation for our father, who was an extraordinary man.

God Bless You and the wonderful work that you do.

With warm appreciation and gratitude,

Jeanne Dirksmeier Quitadamo

We said goodbye to our amazing grandfather this week & throughout the process of saying our goodbyes to our loved one your name kept coming up. Yes its your role as the funeral director to think of all the little things that a grieving family overlooks thus allowing us to focus on the healing process but your personal attention to detail did not go unnoticed. The attention to the small details is what separates you from the other funeral homes. I noticed you addressed my grieving grandmother, my aunts, my parents & my four brothers & sisters on a first name basis. How you remembered everyones name I haven't a clue. I can only assume you truly care. We mentioned my grandfathers favorite fishing spot & his favorite beach on the cape. We were all just blown away while at the cemetery you informed us that during a separate funeral the previous day on the cape you & your staff went to this beach, collected sand & water to use during the final prayers at the cemetery before my grandfather was laid to rest. Absolutely amazing touch Jim. As far as my family is concerned you are forever a part of us. We will never consider any other funeral home to handle our family affairs. I know my grandfather was looking down on that saying "wow" what a great guy! We really appreciate everything you did for us going above & beyond the normal scope of expectations. I can't thank you enough.

Sincerely,

Jamie Duquette (grandson of George Michalak)

Dear Friends at Heald and Chiampa,

I attended services for Steve Zielinski this last weekend and want to thank you for providing the 'best' funeral experience I've ever had. Unfortunately I have attended many visitations and funerals in my life and even more unfortunate is that most of them seem sterile and unconnected to the person being honored. In this case, from the moment we arrived, we were greeted by helpful people, a warm fire out front and the most intimate of settings. Steve would have been proud.

Clearly attention to detail is a priority for all who work with you. This was shown in the many sweet touches that made this horrible day easier to get through. Specifically, looking back I recall the nicety of:

- the fire outside on visitation evening. . so welcoming
- helpfulness of the website. .the photo montage there. . the reminders for the future, the helpful links. Thank you.
- beautiful and appropriate music at both the day of the service. . .loved the piano player and also at the graveside. I've never experienced music played there before and it provided the complete sensory soothing experience I needed. Other friends commented the same.
- the men who worked with you were attentive, careful and just right in their appearances in the ceremonies. They also seemed to really care and not simply be going through the motions of a job. So nice.
- the beautifully well-done displays of Steve's life. It was as if you actually knew him.

Steve Zielinski was a man I loved dearly and am a better person today for having him now in my heart and not in that pine box. But the experience of his passing, with all your help was honestly one of the utmost tasteful, professional and personal services I've known.

Thanks again for the work that you do.

Tracy

Tracy Barnes DC DICCP CKTI

Louisville, KY USA