Castle Ridge Mortuary North

In preparation for my father’s funeral, during his hospice care, my mother, sister and I knew we wanted a beautiful classy funeral, a memorable one to honor my father’s life. We knew of a few places we wanted to look at, the first one a new funeral home near where my parents lived. The first funeral home became the last one we visited, we immediately decided on Castle Ridge Mortuary North, it is surrounded by beautiful oak trees, just like my father’s home. As you walk in you will notice how new, updated and beautiful it is, the smell was pleasant, and personnel were well dressed and extremely kind. As we were guided to the two rooms they offered we fell in love with Room 1, the pews the decorative ceilings, the lighting, and the large window, with oak trees outside, and the sunset would make its presence. Above all the window was useful especially with Covid-19, visitors could walk from the outside of the funeral home to view the casket and loved ones. The next task was selecting a casket, they showed us discounted caskets, we thanked them and asked to see the other caskets. In the room they had a patriotic navy-blue casket, with an American flag in the interior where my Father a Disabled Vietnam Vet would rest, it was fitting for our hero. After selecting the room and casket, we sat down to talk with Nina, she’s a very intelligent, thoughtful, and understanding person; she made incredible suggestions. We selected a slide show and viewing of inside for the parking lot due to Covid-19, and livestream for both days for those unable to physically attend. The livestream would be recorded for all observances, and would be available for 90 days, including the slide show they put together with our photos and their music, also providing a CD of the funeral in its entirety. After almost 2 hours of planning we left feeling content and at ease that my father will be smiling of all the right choices we selected for him. That night he passed, as if he knew we had taken care of what we needed for him to rest peacefully. Once the funeral home opened we called, they sent a hearse to take my father to another location where they do the embalming. We had an appointment at 3pm for the final arrangements. This time Samantha assisted us, such a nice, caring, smart young lady, she helped us with the final touches and arranging the dates. My father being a buried at Fort Sam with Full Military Honors, and the Church my Father attended were booked, it would be almost two weeks for the funeral. We worried he wouldn’t look the same as he did when he passed, we also worried that they would make him look slouched, they assured us they do excellent work. Two days leading to the funeral they posted his army photo on their LED marquee outside, this made us smile driving by. Finally, after 13 days we saw my father again, we cried how handsome he looked. He looked the same as the morning he left his home, they did amazing work on him. They set up a table covered in a beautiful patriotic red color where we could put all his Vietnam medals, photos, and a few picture stands. They had a beautiful standing cross and a standing American Flag. It was more than what I expected, they treated us extremely well. The next day prior to leaving to Church, without requesting they put two mini American flags on the hearse, we asked if we could pass by his new home, in addition to the home he raised us in, both near the Church. They did as we requested, we passed down the main road of his new home since the street was too narrow. The house he raised us in we were able to circle in the cul-de-sac, all while they played the slide show of his life. After the Church we headed to Fort Sam, they continued to give us the same politeness-I highly recommend this Funeral home, it is new, updated, beautiful, and all staff members are caring and understanding, they exceeded our expectations, they went above and beyond to honor his life. I can ensure you they will do the same for your loved ones.