REMEMBERING A LOVED ONE AS THE PERSON THEY WERE TO YOU

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He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.

~Antoine de Saint-Exupery   

“We do everything in our power to make sure that your loved one looks like the person who was so loved” is how Robert Van Staalduinen says it. Funeral Director Keith Kustra agrees, having experienced the satisfaction and peace a family feels when their loved one appears as the beautiful person they remember most and best. It’s something we place a lot of emphasis on for our families. 

Families want to and need to see their loved ones at their best, even in death, even when they may have had some difficult days prior to passing. It’s often not easy for families to articulate this desire, but their hearts always present the request to ensure their final moments here are moments when they are as peaceful and as beautiful as their families remember them to be.  There is a great deal of science and knowledge behind what we do, but there is also art, and time and attention to detail.  When our families share with us that we’ve prepared their loved ones beautifully, we know precisely what they mean. At Knollcrest and Steuerle Chapels, it always matters. 

If you have any questions or need any assistance at-need, or you’re considering pre-planning, please contact us. There is no obligation in either instance. We’re here to help no matter what time of day or night you need us. For Knollcrest, phone us at 630.932.1500 or email us at knollcrest@knollcrest.net  For Steuerle Chapel, phone us at  630.832.4161 or email us at steuerlefh.com

MAKING MERCHANDISE SELECTION LESS SCARY

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There’s a sense of finality that is very poignant in the arrangement process that occurs when selecting merchandise. At Knollcrest & Steuerle Chapels, we endeavor to make that process less scary. This can be the most sensitive time for families when loss is intensely personal and the profoundness of that loss is fully realized.

Owner and Director, Bob Van Staalduinen did not grow up in the funeral industry.  As a very young funeral director he experienced assisting families in selecting merchandise in an environment that heightened the stress on the families. His mission was to change that by providing an environment that was not intimidating or overwhelming. It became a policy at Knollcrest & Steuerle Chapels to display all of the options to families, let them guide the process based on their own preferences and needs, be they religious, personal taste, or even budgetary considerations. Families needed to achieve full comfort with the choices they made over whatever period of time it takes to reach that level of contentment. States Bob, “In over 30 years, I’ve never ‘sold’ a casket. I listened, showed what they requested, and made the arrangements to provide what they chose.” Beyond that, our selection area is a hospitable, comfortable room that displays corners and samples, rather than full size caskets, vaults and urns lined up back to back. People find this display both easier to navigate and completely unintimidating. The entire arrangement process is  often overwhelming . This is an area where we can improve the experience and show the most understanding and compassion.

If you have any questions or need any assistance at-need, or you’re considering pre-planning, please contact us. There is no obligation in either instance. We’re here to help no matter what time of day or night you need us. For Knollcrest, phone us at 630.932.1500 or email us at knollcrest@knollcrest.net  For Steuerle Chapel, phone us at  630.832.4161 or email us at steuerlefh.com

Veterans are among the most special people among us.

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It wasn’t long ago that we did not have a National Cemetery nearby to offer options to our veterans and their families. That all changed a few years ago when the Joliet Arsenal property was converted to the hallowed ground now known as Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. 

What well-deserved earned benefits they have been for our Veterans who’ve demonstrated their devotion for their country and fellow citizens. Burial expenses for a Veteran, spouse, and dependent children are covered in full, saving thousands of dollars in burial expenses. There is also a Columbarium for the internment of cremation remains.  Services include full military honors to our veterans, usually from their branch of the service. Veterans who have attended services there often decide this will be their final resting place as well. 

Many Veterans and their families are not aware of their earned benefits. It is the mission  of our Knollcrest/Steuerle Chapel Staff to ensure they are not only aware of them, but that they receive them. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously for the men and women who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.

If a Veteran/Family chose another cemetery m Veterans are entitled to an American Flag, a headstone, and a member of their branch of the Armed Services to attend and play “Taps” to honor your Veteran loved one. Knollcrest and Steuerle  will make all of the arrangements to notify the Veterans Administration to ensure these earned benefits are carried out.

“Veterans are among the most special people among us, having made sacrifices for the benefit of all of us. It is our duty to honor theirs and make sure everything we can do to honor that service is seen to” are the words of Robert Van Staalduinen of Knollcrest Funeral Home and Steuerle Chapel, adding  “It’s an extreme Honor to serve them on their way home”.

If you have any questions or need any assistance at-need, or you’re considering pre-planning, please contact us. There is no obligation in either instance. We’re here to help no matter what time of day or night you need us. For Knollcrest, phone us at 630.932.1500 or email us at knollcrest@knollcrest.net  For Steuerle Chapel, phone us at  630.832.4161 or email us at steuerlefh.com

We are a Ministry to People During a Difficult Time in Their Lives. 

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Bob Van Staalduinen was raised by a Minister as his father. He felt a strong calling to be a Funeral Director, a vital ministry in helping people in their greatest time of need. It requires a strong sense of faith, comfort and understanding. 

Bob’s father lived in the apartment home above the funeral home. So did Bob and his family. And then his children. Always a family member resided here because this is our home, both when we lived here and later when we invited our families to open this home to their families and friends who came to offer their support and celebrate the life of their loved ones. “When we built this building, we were building a home, every bit as much as a place of business. Treating our business as the ministry it truly is, makes the atmosphere one of loving and sharing here,” Bob comments. That goes for Knollcrest, which we designed ourselves and built from the ground up, to Steuerle Funeral Chapel, which we have added touches and done updates and redecorating to achieve the same feel for our families. Bringing our ministry to 2 locations has been a rewarding experience for our family and professional staff at both properties.  Our communities of faith have been as welcoming as the communities at large have been. We’re ready to serve you in both of our locations of ministry. 

It’s a humbling privilege.

If you have any questions or need any assistance at-need, or you’re considering pre-planning, please contact us. There is no obligation in either instance. We’re here to help no matter what time of day or night you need us. For Knollcrest, phone us at 630.932.1500 or email us at knollcrest@knollcrest.net  For Steuerle Chapel, phone us at  630.832.4161 or email us at steuerlefh.com

Thank You Cards are Precious Reminders of ‘Why We Do What We Do’

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“Hardly a day goes by where we don’t get a thank you note from a family we’ve served” reflects Bob Van Staalduinen (Bob Van works just fine!) owner of Knollcrest Funeral Home in Lombard and Steuerle Chapel in Villa Park. Having served families in the western suburbs and beyond for over 30 years and a few generations of many families, it is pretty common for those families to let the licensed professionals and courteous staff members of Knollcrest and Steuerle know how grateful they are by writing a kind note after the services are completed. 

“You bet we read them, over and over again” adds Bob Van, with an emotional voice brimming with gratefulness. They’re precious to him, and to all of the funeral directors and staff at both locations. Things can get hard at times, and there is no greater reminder of how important this work is, than the grateful words of a family acknowledging that you made their most difficult times a little easier. Families don’t have to send notes, or call with these kind remarks, but after, and often even during, nearly every service, they do. It’s a spiritually fulfilling experience to which we say a heartfelt Thank You back to our wonderful families.

If you have any questions or need any assistance at-need, or you’re considering pre-planning, please contact us. There is no obligation in either instance. We’re here to help no matter what time of day or night you need us. For Knollcrest, phone us at 630.932.1500 or email us at knollcrest@knollcrest.net for Steuerle Chapel, phone us at  630.832.4161 or email us at steuerlefh.com