A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuaries Bethany Chapel — Local services in Phoenix

Me and my family knew our Mother's time with us would shortly be coming to an end, but it came sooner than anticipated. Mom was a woman who always got the job done and then went on to the next. She knew the job the Lord gave her here was complete and it was time to go on and be with her family who were waiting for her.

This was not, be any means easy for any of us, especially me. I live in TX and Mom in our home State of AZ. My job was to take care of her and I did that job with the help of so many wonderful people in AZ. From the assisted living facility staff to the everyone at A L. Moore-Grimshaw.

Our family had always had the help of A.L. Moore when it was a family owned funeral home near downtown Phoenix. The owners were also gracious to allow the members of the Masonic Lodge to use the parking lot across the street without any financial gain.

When our family had to finish our final job of letting Mom finally rest, we could not have been able to get the job Mom would have been so pleased without an extremely caring, gracious, very humble, and very jovial funeral director in David Hinton.

I was tasked as Guardian for our Mom with arranging this final party for her and we learned that so much had changed in this business since our Grandmother left.

David Hinton stepped in on a Sunday to help me et al for our emergency situation. David let us, being my brother, husband, daughter, and myself take ALL THE TIME WE NEEDED WITHOUT A THOUGHT ABOUT THE CLOCK.

I always tell people that my family puts the FUN in FUNERAL and David let us do that as well as laughing with us. There was not a minute of the stereo typical of the past funeral director were known to have.

David Hinton became an Honary member of our family that day. Yes, he was business like but he also showed the human silly side which was so appreciated.

My daughter had the best time as David 'surprised' us when he told us that A L. Moore-Grimshaw also helps families with the traditional reception after the service. David pulled out MENUS of various available buffets offered. This is when our daughter took over. The moment David asked what beers and wines we would like to serve, our daughter said, "I'LL TAKE IT FROM HERE MOM".

I truly can go on forever about David and his true thought, care, and especially the humor he shared. David answered every email, phone call, requests after that last 'party we gave Mom and she would have told David 'well done, well done and thank you for helping my family get through this'.

A.L. Moore-Grimshaw has a wonderful staff to help families from the moment you have to enter into this phase of life for your family from arrangement, providing clergy/Celebrant, video on-line for family/friends to watch, tribute recordings, the service, reception, and the catering service staff.

As for me and my family, we are deeply indebted to David Hinton and A.L. Moore-Grimshaw helping us, accepting of us with our humorous way of celebrating our Mother and her life.

David, well done and as Mom would say, 'God bless your heart'. A thank you does not cover what you did and becoming a family member. We have more family in AZ and your services will be needed again, but hopefully not too soon.

Love you David. Deanne Kentz...

Funeral Arranger Matthew Wilhelm made us feel like an inconvenience as soon as he learned that our mother's burial plan had been prepaid decades ago. Prior to his learning this, he was very helpful and considerate of our loss. However, upon learning of the prepaid plan, he quickly dismissed us with comments such as "You can go to (the cemetery chapel) and have it done there." He constantly reminded us of how the difference of what the original plan cost and the cost of a funeral today would have to be written off. Communication at that point was almost nonexistent. He told us the casket would be a basic, bottom-of-the-line casket when in fact that was not what was paid for. After we questioned that, he offered us the same one in another color, and later offered us the next level up with only one choice of color. Eventually he showed us two more, but never the complete choice of caskets in the large book, which he guarded closely in front of him. The torture of this visit didn't end there. The lack of communication continued, with everything from the obituary to the keepsake marker requested, to the program listing the service information and pallbearers. Walking in to set up on the evening of the service was another horror. The person in the casket did not look like our mother. She was unrecognizable. A woman who never wore makeup in life looked like she was ready for the club after passing. The eyeliner, eye shadow, and blush that were heavily caked on only added to our pain. The obituary wasn't submitted to the local newspapers on time and as a result appeared the day before the service, leaving us rushing to notify friends and family. He did state that the obituary notice would be very basic, but didn't tell us that it would only be one line mentioning her name, date of death, and the name of the mortuary. Absolutely nothing more was listed for her elderly friends that did not have access or knowledge of how to view further information online. Had we known this would happen, we would have contacted the newspaper and had it posted ourselves. His excuse? He was busy and didn't get to it in time. Perhaps we should have used this same excuse when paying for the extras we requested.

*Update: My family and I would like to thank Chad Johnson, Manager of A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuaries Bethany Chapel, immensely for following up on this and working diligently to help rectify the wrong that was done. Although the memory of what we experienced still resides will us, Mr. Johnson has gone above and beyond to do everything possible to help ease the pain. It has been a difficult time for us, but his compassion and understanding has been a welcome gift. As a result, we have chosen to amend this review and change the rating from two stars to four.

Mr. Johnson, thank you very much for all you have done. We truly appreciate the compassion and kindness that you...

AL Moore-Grimshaw was fantastic! During such a difficult time they took the time to walk me through the process and help me understand what the "vision" for the funeral would be. Planning a funeral for the unexpected death of a loved one is hard but they helped alleviate the stress the entire time. Even to the point of going back and explaining everything thoroughly, at one point they even advised against a certain product offered because they understood it wouldn't be in my best interest, even though it made them more money. It showed me that their first concern was doing the right thing for me and my family. There were lots of little details here and there that showed they actually listened and cared about making the experience special for everyone. And even when something went slightly wrong during the service they quickly owned it and made it right (despite it not being their fault). Jeremy was fantastic! I can't thank him enough for the wonderful Job him and...