Restland Funeral Home & Cemetery

They are great about taking your money and sparsely delivering on promises. My father passed away in February 2015 and it’s now October 2015 and our family is still waiting for the headstone. No updates from anyone. How long do we have to wait for a headstone that we have already paid for? I guess your business isn’t in any rush since you’ve already taken our money. Jeff promised to lay a fresh bouquet of flowers but never did. Eight months and still waiting for a headstone.
I agree with other reviewers that this place uses car salesman tactics to up-​sell and confuse you with different «service» people from plot sales to funeral director to casket salesman to florist and whatever else they want to throw in to get you to buy their services. All these different people try to up-​sell you at a time during a difficult time.
I’m really unimpressed with their lack of communication regarding the status of my father’s headstone.

More worried about their «procedures» than making things easier for grieving families. After my stepson, Jeremy, passed away, my wife, his mother, was assured by the Restland employee who picked the body up at the hospital, that no one would bother her until she came in to make arrangements the following Monday. Not two hours later someone was calling my wife to ask detail questions about how the body should be groomed: haircut, shave, etc, saying decisions had to be made immediately even though the funeral was probably five days away. It took my wife a half hour to stop crying after that call. When the day of the viewing arrived Jeremy’s sister wanted some time alone with him before the general viewing. Jeremy’s mother was running late because her mother was very slow getting ready and Jeremy’s father was stuck in a traffic jam on LBJ due to an accident. I took Jeremy’s sister to the viewing, but the funeral director wouldn’t let her or me in. Their «policy» was next of kin first before anyone else. I had to demand he call Jeremy’s mother and father, to confirm that they wanted us to be allowed in, and even then he did it very reluctantly. Once again, needless trauma. Finally, after the funeral, my wife and I went to pick up the death certificates. They would not release them to her because Jeremy’s father’s name was listed as the client, even though we were picking them up as a favor to him. We called Jeremy’s father and handed the cell phone to the receptionist. He instructed the receptionist to give the death certificates to Jeremy’s mother. The receptionist left and came back after a delay of about twenty minutes. My wife was required to provide her driver’s license to be copied, and then sign for the death certificates. We later learned that the manager had called Jeremy’s father back to verify that it was indeed him who was talking to the receptionist, since they had not called him, my wife had, and they wanted to be sure it was really him on the other end of the phone instructing them to give the death certificates to my wife. Really? For fifty dollars worth of death certificates? Absurd! Treat your clients like criminals trying to put one over on you? Really? Totally stupid, insensitive and inflexible. The chapel was pretty. The service was very nice, and everything was well done. But the bureaucratic BS behind the scenes spoiled it.

If you buy a plot ($ 5900), MAKE SURE YOU WILL USE IT. My family has two plots at Restland. We decided not to use them. They will not buy them back from you, at any cost. I called them and they told me I could not sell them (even though I have a will) without additional forms and a $ 375. fee. I’ve tried to resale them 3 times over 10 years and seems impossible at even half the cost. They will charge additional fees and require other documentation and notarized documents, wills, and death certificates.
If you need 2 plots, I’ve got a great deal for you. ½ price.

The level of service and care here is incredible. They completely understood our needs and was accommodating to our financial limitations. Even when my friend was bawling her eyes out, they didn’t rush us and helped with every step of the process.
We even were able to get a next day funeral instead of waiting past the weekend too. Overall, they really took care of us and I know «eemo» is in good hands.

My mother in law was buried in August 2015 at Restland. The Funeral Director was James Peavy who was overall quite helpful.
My mother in law had paid for several lots and a prepaid service back in the 60.s. However Restland was able to find «add-​on» cost amounting to over $ 4000.
In addition they tried during the planning phase to sell us on pre-​paying for another burial. The family was deeply offended by this process. Restland said this was their company policy to offer this «service» t this time. If this is so, then the policy needs to be changed!!! How insensitive to use car-​salesman tactics!
There were a couple of other accounting errors, namely double charging our credit card for the obituary. This was resolved after I brought this to their attention. but seems again a sign of poor management.
Although Restland said they would take care of informing the SSA of the death, on checking with the SSA, they had not received anything from Restland Again be careful of their so called full service offering.

I would like to rate this business five stars as an employer. Is that alright to do? I have been blessed to work in a field, as a funeral director, which I consider my passion and calling. I came to Restland nearly four years ago from my hometown where I worked for a couple of small, family-​owned funeral homes. Talk about a culture shock! Not only did I have to adjust to working for one of the largest funeral homes in the nation, but I had to adjust to big city living, as well. Everyone was very patient with me as I made this transition. For a funeral home/​cemetery, Restland employs a very large staff. Every single person, here, received me and accepted me into this family as one of their own. I have made many friends. I received good training. I received tools. Daily, I am given the opportunity to experience the fulfilment that comes from helping folks through their most difficult time. In addition to the appreciation shown to me by families, the management team, here, does a five star job of making me feel appreciated and respected for the work that I do. If I didn’t make a dime, I would be tempted to continue to work here because the encouragement and kind words are worth it all! I want to give five stars to our assistant managers, Amie Douglas, Deric Walker, and Jon Sorbel. You guys are the first ones I turn to; you are always there and I never have to go any further. Five stars to our location manager, Jenny Barnett. Since you came here, the whole atmosphere has been brightened. What a difference you have made! Mike Day is our general manager and proves that you cannot underestimate us country boys! Thank you so much for all that you do. Thank you, Brian Shake for shake-​ing things up! Thank you, Scott Nofziger, for bringing me here. Mike Wilfong, I truly admire you! Five stars to the home office. Five stars to all of family service, our administrators, and cemetery crew. The operators give us a lovely voice while the receptionists give us a lovely face. Many work behind the scenes, but we could not get this job done without you! Deric was congratulating me, today, for a five star review that a customer gave me. Earl Jones, who is our support technician said, «Hey, he couldn’t have done that without a computer!» How true! Five stars to Earl. Last, but not least, five stars to all of the hundreds of families that we have the privilege to serve. Thank you for choosing us and giving us the opportunity to serve you. Many of our families have returned to us again and again throughout the generations. We would not be here if it were not for you. We love and appreciate you! Our aim is that we might make a difficult day for you a little easier and little brighter. If you are searching for a funeral home and/​or cemetery to make pre-​arrangements or when you experience a loss, I highly recommend the kind, caring, and expert staff of Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park. If you want to work in a field that you can feel proud about and where you are appreciated and compensated for your hard work, again, I highly recommend Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park. Five stars all the way around!!!

We had my mother’s service and burial at Restland in August 2015. The funeral director was James Peavy. Everything was handled to our expectations. James explained everything in detail in advance, and he and the rest of the staff did what they said they would do. Everything was ready for the family visitation the day before the service, and the room looked nice. The service was in the Wildwood Chapel. James and the staff had everything there ready before we arrived. The service went as planned, and the graveside service was also as planned. We never felt rushed or pressured in any way. Highly recommended.

I am pleased to say the our situation was resolved once Michael Wilfong became involved. I appreciate his help. He is clearly very competent and concerned. He is an asset to this business.

Jonathan Sorbel is an amazing human being! He was the funeral director for my step fathers service and he went above and beyond for our family! He wasn’t pushy nor did he try to upsale anything. He did everything we wanted and then some. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Mr. Sorbel! Thank you so much John. Karla Deibert and Jennifer Haygood from the George Young Center for Care were extraordinarily accommodating and kind while working with my mother. Laura Cooksey did an outstanding job on the programs and keepsakes for our service. Brad Chisholm was kind enough to assist with comforting arrangements for our family during our time of mourning. Mike Day, the general manager, reached out to comfort and reassure our family as soon as he was notified of our loss and continually offered his assistance and kindness. We are overwhelmed and thankful for the outpouring of support and generosity from everyone at Restland. I could not imagine there being a better experience from any other funeral home in the entire metroplex or even state. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and God bless each and every person that had anything to do with making this extremely unexpected event a little bit less painful.

Our family chose Restland for my grandfather’s funeral service and cremation. The funeral home has not changed much since I’ve been there last but it is always clean and the grounds are kept nicely. I liked the fact that they moved the crematory closer to the building where the services are held. I remember when my friend’s parents passed we had to walk about half a mile to the crematory and only family members were allowed inside. The new crematory building is close by and has a nice viewing room separated by a big picture window so that the family members can witness the cremation. This was a good call for Restland.
Our funeral director, Ray Griffin, was exceptional in every way. He was compassionate, caring understood our religious needs and went above and beyond to ensure that our family was taken care of in our time of grief. Death is inevitable but you don’t need the extra stress when it comes to having to say goodbye to your loved one.
My grandfather passed Tuesday, December 9^th and we held the services on Saturday, December 13^th. That is a very short timeframe to make important decisions, obtain funds and get all of the necessary permits and paperwork completed for a cremation. With it being December and so close to Christmas, many people would be on vacation. Ray assisted us in every way he knew how and helped our family speed things along and get the permits required so that we could cremate my grandfather the same day as the funeral service. After the funeral service was over Ray still called to check up and see how the family was doing. After my grandfather’s funeral, I attended two other services at Restland in the month of December. I could tell the difference in the way how Ray handled our family’s service compared to how the other funeral directors. I can say that Ray’s customer service is far superior.
If you chose Restland Funeral Home & Cemetary for your loved one’s services, I would highly recommend Ray Griffin as your funeral director.

My husband committed suicide at age 31(I was 26) in 1996 and I used Restland at his mother’s request. There was no Unilocal at the time, but let me tell you. I was taken advantage of, treated horribly, and Restland made a lot of money of me and my parents.
PLEASE…PLEASE research and decide what and where you want to be cremated/​buried ahead of time, think about what you want. DONT wait. They will take advantage of you at your weakest most vulnerable moment!
Restland first took me out to a beautiful spot by the lake, told me my husband could have that resting spot, then took me back and told me the plot alone was going to cost 12,000, plus all the funeral costs, totaling 25k!!! That’s called a bait and switch, and its ILLEGAL. After crying and telling them I could never afford that, they showed me the cheapest plot, costing 3000.00 … the «cheapest» funeral they could offer us was 12k. and that was in 1996. I ONLY HAD 5,000 in life insurance, so my family had to take a loan for the other 7,000.
It was a nightmare. The cost, I found out later, was extremely high for a funeral, let alone a basic funeral. And the treatment I received from Restland was horrible. They could care less about anything except making MONEY. Be aware people. Plan ahead. Don’t let yourself ever be caught in a position like I was.

It has taken them over 10 months to create a headstone for my mother. Granted, it’s a mix of Hebrew and English, 3 attempts, still, same mistakes over and over (even after I emailed and circled the mistakes and corrections).
Been dealing with these 2, who have no desire to communicate any kind of updates:
«Milton, Demetria»
and «Criss, Linder»
. They have hardly been returning phone calls. Today, I emailed «Wilfong, Michael»
— their executive director.
After 10 months, and still no headstone, is that where you want your loved ones to be?

Just wanted to share that even at Cook-​Walden/​Memorial Hill Cemetery they allow families to grieve by leaving fake flowers and it looks beautiful. I regret trusting Restland with my mothers burial because of your ridiculous flower policy. I have advised three friends and family members against using your cemetery and I will continue. You are a disgrace to grieving families. Pure money driven greed is all you service.

Kudos to whoever had the bright idea of running the sprinklers mid-​day on Mother’s Day! Sheesh!

Reviewing a funeral home is pretty morbid. I’m glad that I didn’t have to deal with all the funeral arrangements for my grandmother but from what I can tell, they were very accommodating throughout the wake, the ceremony, and cremation, and urn ceremony. If only we could Unilocal from beyond … [Original Visit: July 7, 2011]

The corporate titans who run Restland Funeral Home & Cemetery *should* be ashamed of themselves for the way they run their business. However, I doubt it. So let me tell you about my experience and ask for yourselves: would you like to be taken advantage of financially during what could be one of the most emotional and vulnerable times of your life?
My parents are loving honest, people who worked hard, saved and planned their whole lives. They’ve always been horrified at the thought that they might become a financial burden to me and my sister when they became elderly, so they carefully bought insurance to cover their care before they got older. They also bought two plots at Restland, including headstones, decades ago so that would be taken care of as well.
My parents are now elderly and somewhat infirm, although both are still clear headed and kind. They have decided they no longer want a formal funeral — mostly because they are incredibly expensive. My parents’ long ago purchase at Restland did not include funeral cost expenses. Recently, they decided they wanted to be cremated and have their ashes interned in one of the plots and possibly give the other plot to my sister. Easy enough request? You’d think.
I went with my mother to Restland to visit with Dennis Storm, one of the salespeople. We told him immediately what we wanted. Instead of working to accomodate our needs, Dennis began with the upsell. He brought out a pre-​packaged chart, showing us our «options.» Those options were, to put it mildly, nowhere close to what we were requesting. And the options ranged from about $ 8,000 down to about $ 4,000 — things we didn’t want like interment in a mausoleum and other such nonsense. Um Dennis, are you listening to us? That’s not why we’re here. Tell us what it will cost to have my parents ashes buried in the plot they already own. To say the least, this was a frustrating meeting.
Dennis actually got up to go «talk to his manager» about our request. My mother and I felt like we were buying a used car. He might as well have said: «What do I need to do to get you in this casket today!». Finally, we got a price of $ 2,400 for what my parents requested. Great. Funeral homes are a business. They charge for things. I get that.
A week later, Dennis went to my parents home with the paper work. They signed the $ 2,400 contract. A day later, Dennis calls my parents and tells them that it will cost my parents another $ 2,000 to get the contract approved by a state agency. Really Dennis? That information slipped your mind? Flim-​flam answers were all my parents got after they got hit with that surprise. And I will point out that at no time did anyone at Restland apologize to my parents for that surprise up charge. I get the sense that there was no apology because that’s how they do business — upsell everything possible to a pair of elderly people, what a lovely and honorable business practice you have Restland!
We are in the process of cancelling the contract for obvious reasons. Hopefully my parents will get their money back short of litigation.
I hope this serves as a warning. I can only imagine what this process would be like for grieving family members who go to Restland shortly after a death.

AWFUL SERVICE!!! My great grandmother was buried here and they were very rude and rushed us threw the whole funeral! They took her out of the viewing room before we even got to see her, so we had to wait in the waiting room until they transferred her to the chapel. The make-​up was weird on her too, it looked like they sewed her lips together! Creepyyyyyy!
Also if your dressed funny the lady at the front will chase after you because you don’t belong there!
Watch out for the crazy limo drivers that drive with the doors wide open and don’t check before driving off!!!
EVERYTHING was RUSHED and on a time schedule!
Then to top everything off they buried her in the wrong spot! Unfortunately, she had already paid for her plot & service paid for so we couldn’t have it somewhere else!

We chose to purchase a place in a indoor columbarium at Restland for my father’s urn. It was a great choice after looking at the extremely overpriced and underwhelming options available at Sparkman-​Hillcrest.
The staff at Restland were both kind and accommodating, even altering the contract to allow us to have the columbarium opened annually in case we wanted to add or remove mementos (like new family photos). I swear this isn’t as creepy as it sounds. The columbarium is basically a glass-​fronted cubby. We never even knew this burial option existed and it turned out to be the perfect choice for us.
Anyway, the location we chose is inside a mausoleum called Whispering Waters. Its locked, but anybody with a loved one inside gets a key. There are security cameras for safety’s sake too. You are even allowed to leave live plants inside and the caretakers will water them. Since live plants are allowed, there is a gnat problem, which is slightly annoying. But I think overall its worth it.
The grounds are beautiful too.

They should change the name to Restland Bank and Thieves. My step-​father just passed away and they treated my mom like crap. My mom ended up $ 2200 in the hole with Restland, and no services so we ended up at Williams in Garland with very compassionate personnel.
Restland had their hands out as soon as we walked in the door. What a horrible thing to do to people grieving for their husbands and fathers.
The grounds are beautiful, but that is all they have to offer. You will pay 10 time more for it in the end, and shed more tears than you already had.
I will write more about our experience after the funeral is over.

Restland really is the land of rest and quite. It is so peaceful there. The grounds are also fairly large, so it is possible to get slightly lost, on foot or in the car.
This cemetery doesn’t have the historical qualities of some of the other graveyards around town, but it’s probably one of the safer ones to venture into at night. I’ve never seen homeless people in there, and while there is security, he’s never caught me.
I’ve got a homie buried here, so me and my friends used to sneak in there at night to pour him some 40-​juice of OE and light him a few smokes. We would hang out and chat for a while before we left and we never once felt uneasy being there.
I’ve never heard of any ghost or zombie sightings at Restland, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have fun playing hide and seek amongst the tombstones.