Downing, & Lahey Mortuaries

For a business that is used to dealing with a very sensitive issue and hard time, I was floored by the lack of compassion that we experienced with Downing and Lahey - East. When we made arrangements for my father, who's death was sudden, everything went smoothly the first day. Three family members attended and signed papers etc. The next day, we were treated VERY poorly. We misunderstood some of the information we received the previous day - BECAUSE THIS ISN'T SOMETHING WE DEAL WITH EVERYDAY - and when we were confused by the process (interesting that all 3 of us missed the information from the previous day - my guess is IT WASN'T CLEAR), he acted as if we were completely putting him out by misunderstanding. "I told you yesterday...I already told your mother that. I explained that yesterday." Yeah well, could you please remind us - we are reeling. I was absolutely shocked by his insensitivity and how rude he was to our family. In an industry that should put COMPASSION FOR THE LIVING first with everything they are doing, it was a terrible experience for such a terrible situation. My entire family was upset by the way this was handled. I suggest finding a different mortuary to deal should you have to put someone to rest.

We used Downing & Lahey for the burials of both our Mom and Dad. They were kind, patient, thorough and compassionate. They helped us navigate our grief to honor our parents.

My family has turned to Downing & Lahey for over six decades when faced with the loss of a loved one. When my mother passed in June, we naturally went to Downings. We arranged what we thought was a fitting tribute to my beloved 87 year old mother, gladly spending over $19,000. A family car, or limousine, at a charge of $375 was part of that expense. We planned on my 91 year old wheelchair bound father and six family members with an average age of over 69 years old riding to the cemetery in that car. As I pushed my father's wheelchair out to the parking lot after the service, I can hardly find the words to describe what we were presented with as a "family car or limousine". The vehicle was black and a limousine, but that is all that made it appropriate for a funeral. In the words of the driver, it was a "party limo". There was one door for the family to enter the vehicle, and one either had to slide around the curved bench seat, or crawl on the floor to make way for the next passenger to roll in. Realizing this was not possible for my father, I asked the driver if he could ride up front with him. The driver reluctantly agreed. Not wanting to create a spectacle, or cause a delay to the friends and family already in their cars waiting to proceed to the cemetery, I placed my father in the front seat and made sure he had his seatbelt in place. Little did I realize that a seat belt was a perk that the rest of us rolling back and forth in the back on the bench seat would be not afforded. While the led lights were a nice touch, and the champagne glasses and numerous drink holders would have come in handy if any of the grieving family members had decided to "pop the cork", I find the vehicle totally and completely inappropriate. I feel it equates to having a male stripper sing the hymns we carefully selected for my mother.My family has waited five months to voice our dissatisfaction to Downings. We didn't want to speak out harshly in grief. My sister emailed Downing's expressing our disappointment and stating that we felt like if there was no other car available, we should have at least been notified in advance so other arrangements could be made. The representative told my sister she appreciated our "sharing", and in the future would let people what to expect. I went to Downing's because after six decades and numerous services I thought I knew what to expect. Obviously, I was wrong to expect what I had gotten for decades. Obviously, their motto of providing service with "dignity and respect" is no longer correct.Gloria Baird

They desecrated my infant son's grave while burying another infant. There's a huge hole where someone stood obviously. And my son's things were thrown all over--not even placed back on his own grave. My son has only been buried for 2 weeks! I'm so hurt and furious!! His grave now looks horrible! I hate downing and lahey mortuary!! WORST EVER!!!!