Funeral Home Offers Drive-Thru Visitation

[orangeblossom]

This is just too much. I don't like it.

www.wistv.com/story/26534089/funeral-home-offers-drive-thru-visitation?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass

Most people these days lead very busy lives. That's one reason owners of a local funeral home decided to make saying your final goodbyes a little more convenient.



The funeral home now has a drive-thru window.

"You may find people who are afraid of funeral homes, now they can view their loved ones from the convenience of their car," said Ivan Phillips, owner of Paradise Funeral Chapel.



Phillips unveiled the drive-thru funeral services on Sunday.



"I wanted to bring something to Saginaw that we've never had here before," he said.



In the past, Phillips has allowed disabled family members to watch video of funerals and take part in visitation services over the Internet using cameras.



"The funeral industry is changing rapidly. So my intent was to bring something here that was accessible to the community," Phillips said.



As cars pull up to the drive-thru, curtains move back after a sensor in the ground detects a vehicle's weight. Sharise Phillips, manager of the funeral home, said the drive-thru offers protection from inclement weather and comfort for the disabled.



"We wanted to provide convenience and accessibility for our customers for the times and days they don't want to get out of their vehicle," she said.



Visitors at the event welcomed technology into the funeral business.



"I think it shows how far advanced people are, especially since we live in such an advanced society," Sylvia Brantley said.



Phillips is aware of critics who may conclude this may be an undignified way to part ways, but he said people should just give it a chance.



The idea is garnering mixed reaction from the community.

"We've been getting a lot of negative feedback because most people don't know how it works," Phillips said.



He's getting a lot of flack from people upset about the drive-thru window.



"When you enter the drive thru you'll drop a memorial into the memorial box, sign the register book, drive forward and you'll be able to sit in the privacy of your vehicle for three minutes," Phillips said.



Paradise is providing the drive thru option to families at no additional charge. It's designed to allow more people to see someone who has passed away, even if they can't make the traditional visitation because of work, disability or other challenges.



"That would be an after hour visitation for the family if they choose to do so," Phillips said.



Anyone can drive up and pay their respects to the deceased.



Phillips said the design, which uses sensors to open and close the curtains when cars pull up and leave, costs more than $300,000. He believes it's well worth it. He said everyone should have the option of drive thru visitation.



Copyright 2014 WNEM (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

[meshaliuknits]

natural extension of the drive through wedding chapel, I suppose.

[cookiemdough]

What kind of lazy motherfucker can't get out the car to pay their final respects? Just don't go

[meshaliuknits]

Sept 15, 2014 17:27:49 GMT -5 cookiemdough said:

What kind of lazy motherfucker can't get out the car to pay their final respects? Just don't go

I legit LOLed at this. I'm picturing some dude rolling up to the window and shouting "Love you auntie Mae!" and driving off with fries.

[IIOY]

I'm awkward as hell around people who are emotional, so I feel like this was designed for people like me.

[cattledogkisses]

For when you like someone enough to go to their wake, but not enough to actually get out of the car!

[secretlyevil]

This is just stupid.

[orangeblossom]

Sept 15, 2014 19:34:45 GMT -5 @barefootbarista said:

I just knew this was going to be a business venture of Phaedra Parks' (RHOA). I'm glad that it is not,

You know now that it's out there, she would have no problems doing it.

[iammalcolmx]

Sept 15, 2014 17:27:49 GMT -5 cookiemdough said:

What kind of lazy motherfucker can't get out the car to pay their final respects? Just don't go

You don't think this is for people who are forced to go? LOL!

[meshaliuknits]

Maybe all the parking spots are saved.

Sent from my EVO

[Velar Fricative]

See, this just reaffirms my hatred of the drive-thru.

And did they make two windows? One to take your order and/or last respects and the other for pickup and/or signing the guest book?

[AAM2012]

Sept 15, 2014 17:34:15 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Sept 15, 2014 17:27:49 GMT -5 cookiemdough said:

What kind of lazy motherfucker can't get out the car to pay their final respects? Just don't go

I legit LOLed at this. I'm picturing some dude rolling up to the window and shouting "Love you auntie Mae!" and driving off with fries.

Even better is you don't even have to give awkward hugs!!

[vanillacourage]

The end is nigh. 

[pitterwoo]

I...don't have a problem with this. I tried to get disgusted, but I just couldn't.

I can see how it could feel crass and impersonal, but how is it harming anything? These are people who presumably wouldn't be attending otherwise. When your circle of friends is 90 and getting out of the house means arranging a ride and assistance equipment, being able to go sign the guest register for Dorothy "in person" might be something you'd take advantage of.

[josieposy]

Well maybe they could do it like a Sonic and they could bring out your loved ones in the outfit of your choice. And a milkshake!

[iammalcolmx]

Here is how it works.

[krystee]

You are not there just to look at a dead body. You are there to give your condolences to the family. Dislike.

[iammalcolmx]

Why they gotta be Black???

[elocrates]

"We've been getting a lot of negative feedback because most people don't know how it works," Phillips said.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't seem so complicated that we can't figure out 'how it works.' Body is displayed in a window like a mannequin at a department store. People drive by, the shade opens to show the "display," people leave. I could see where it would be appealing to some. Heck, I hate the awkwardness of wakes/ funerals. But there is a culture around wakes/ funerals that arguably provides a sense of community (and perhaps a healing presence for the family of the deceased) that is being taken away here. Seems like there is more to be lost than gained by this practice. Perhaps their $300,000 may have been better spent making their facilities more handicap accessible, etc.

[meshaliuknits]

Sept 16, 2014 11:41:02 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Why they gotta be Black???

LOL. I just assumed.

Sent from my EVO

[orangeblossom]

Sept 16, 2014 12:49:01 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Sept 16, 2014 11:41:02 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Why they gotta be Black???

LOL. I just assumed.

Sent from my EVO

Me too.  I just didn't want to  dig further to find out.

[gazpacho]

Well....I'll just say that I've been to a lot of funerals (in the South) and they are LONG. So, a drive-through window might have been appealing.

On the other hand, this compares to folks requesting that you take a picture of the person in their casket. This boggled my mind when I was younger and older Af-Am relatives would do this. There's a cultural component. But, it was creepy to me. orangeblossom (my first tag!)

[orangeblossom]

Sept 16, 2014 13:44:56 GMT -5 gazpacho said:

Well....I'll just say that I've been to a lot of funerals (in the South) and they are LONG. So, a drive-through window might have been appealing.

On the other hand, this compares to folks requesting that you take a picture of the person in their casket. This boggled my mind when I was younger and older Af-Am relatives would do this. There's a cultural component. But, it was creepy to me. orangeblossom (my first tag!)

My dad does this.  I hate it.  I accidentally came across a picture of my mother in her casket the last time I was home. I was not pleased.

Also, yay for tagging!

[iammalcolmx]

nuggetbrain  @kirkette pennypenny NitaX @soudesafinado cookiemdough meshaliuknits @246baje  Call your Uncle and ask WHY he is doing this at his funeral home.

[iammalcolmx]

Sept 16, 2014 13:58:56 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Sept 16, 2014 13:53:00 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

nuggetbrain  @kirkette pennypenny NitaX @soudesafinado cookiemdough meshaliuknits @246baje  Call your Uncle and ask WHY he is doing this at his funeral home.

LOL, it's not my uncle.
My uncle would've made damn sure that there were goat giveaways for making through the drive through viewing, at a reasonable time. 


GOAT ...


It's what's for dinner!

That Goat is too cute to eat!!!

[meshaliuknits]

Sept 16, 2014 13:53:00 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

nuggetbrain  @kirkette pennypenny NitaX @soudesafinado cookiemdough meshaliuknits @246baje  Call your Uncle and ask WHY he is doing this at his funeral home.

I have uncles who would think it's awesome, but none industrious enough to pull it off.

Sent from my EVO

[NitaX]

Sept 16, 2014 14:10:19 GMT -5 @soudesafinado said:

Yeah there are all kinds of pics in my grandma's scrap books of people in caskets. My great-grandparents, my grandfather. I don't want that.

CHILE. I HATE this so much.

WHY YOU WANT A PICTURE OF A DEAD PERSON! 

Again, Baptist Choir story - one funeral we were basically sitting right next to the casket. I can't EVER go to another funeral where I have to sit next to the casket and one motion for the choir to rock means I'm scared I might knock the casket over. 

ETA: It's been a long day and I'm screwing up words.

[Jenniatonu]

This is semi-local to me.

When I saw the preview for it on the news previews I laughed my butt off. I thought for sure it was a joke/prop for halloween. Yeah, no.