Archer-Milton Funeral Home — Local services in Lake Butler

I manage a Cemetery near Gainesville, FL, in a suburb called Fairbanks. I have many family members in and around the Lake Butler area and would like to let you all know just how greedy and non caring this company really is. As an individual who has to deal with a multitude of Funeral homes, in and around the area on a weekly basis, let me say; This company and its owner are the worse of all Funeral homes I've had to deal with in the last 7 years. On November 7, I had to meet some family members of a recently deceased lady to mark the grave site so the Archer funeral home could do the burial. The family was given the information and instructed to have the funeral home call me prior to digging. (The cemetery requires a $100.00 burial fee from the funeral homes, prior to digging, to deal with the 125 cubic feet of dirt left from the vault installation, after the burial.) The burial was held the following day on November 8, 2021. On November 10, I received a call from a very angry cemetery caretaker about the destruction caused by the vault company. Excess dirt spread on the manicured grass and an 8 to 10" mound left atop the grave site, making it unable to be mowed.(Of the 7 years I've managed the cemetery, the caretaker has been keeping the cemetery manicured for the last 5 and never once has he had a complaint about a funeral home). On November 11, I called and spoke to the receptionist at Archer, explaining I need to speak to the owner due to not receiving the mere $100.00 burial fee and to discuss the damage done by his vault installation company. The receptionist stated the owner would call back on November 15th to discuss. Never happened. On December 3, The owner, Garret, left a message on my phone explaining how someone else had forgotten to mail the $100.00 check and if I called back and left my address he would see to it being sent out that day. I called the number back within the hour and could only reach a machine, so I left my address and explained the other issues of killing the grass and the mound of dirt left atop the grave site needed to be addressed. It is now January 2, the $100.00 has not been received, I haven't received any calls nor has anyone attempted to repair the damage done to the cemetery grounds. This is a company who charges $10,000.00 to $20,000.00 dollars from each and every burial, yet can't pay the mere $100.00 burial fee and address the damage and excess dirt they left behind. I find it insulting and recommend using any other funeral home...

Exceptional Service Beyond Duty

Mr. Wilson and Ms. Milton went far above and beyond during my beloved friend’s Military Service. With the government shutdown halting all military honors—no soldiers to fold the flag, no final salute, no ceremonial music—what should have been a moment of deep dignity risked becoming painfully incomplete.

But Mr. Wilson and Ms. Milton stepped in with grace, compassion, and true respect. Their knowledge, care, and willingness to literally fill in the gap restored the honor my friend earned through his service to this country. I was astonished and moved watching them fold the flag perfectly, embodying both reverence and love.

In a moment when the government failed to show up, they did—with kindness, integrity, and heart. I will never forget it!

Thank you for giving a hero the dignity...

The level of professionalism, compassion, & dignity that Garrett, Anna Dayle, & Bryant display is unmatched by anyone in the North Florida area. They were outstanding last month when my father's time on earth had ended and he had chosen Archer-Milton for his celebration of life. It was not until yesterday when I attending the funeral of a friend's mother who had chosen a different funeral home that I realized just how truly blessed my family was by selecting Archer-Milton for my dad's service because the different was night & day. I hope that every one that chooses them can experience the same consistent level of compassion & professionalism we did during that...