Our family waited 82 years to bring our uncle, Harry Jerele, home from the Philippines where he had been buried as an unknown after perishing in a POW camp during WWII. So we knew we had to choose a funeral home that could accommodate all the special events associated with his return. From the arrival of the casket at O’Hare where we met the airplane on the tarmac, to the private viewing for the family, to the chapel service and special awards ceremony, and finally to the procession and burial at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Joe Russo and his staff orchestrated a seamless, honorable, and first-class experience. We are most grateful for our personal coordinator, Elizabeth Macudzinski, whose compassion and expertise put us at ease from day one! When Elizabeth said we didn’t have to worry about a thing, she meant it! Every detail, all the coordination with the various agencies, the many personal touches, the exclusive use of the facilities--we could not have imagined how wonderful Harry’s homecoming would be. Everyone at Russo’s is there to help you honor your loved one and they are very sincere when they say they will take care of all the details so you can focus on your family and friends during your most difficult time. The chapel is beautiful and well-appointed, parking is ample, and the Cadillac Hearse is symbolic of the level of class Russo’s imbues. To Joe, Elizabeth, and the entire staff, our sincerest thanks! Your tireless dedication and commitment to ensuring the best experience possible really shows. We truly are eternally grateful! Very Sincerely, The Jerele Family

I'm reviewing this as a visitor to a family member who recently had a wake at this funeral home. As far as behind the scenes or involvement with staff, I have no first-hand experience. The lobby is grandiose in appearance with many large pieces of artwork, statues, and furniture. It is very clean, well-lit and pleasant in appearance. The family member who was laid to rest had a nice sign with a clear indication of which room they were in. Parking is more than adequate on the property. The grounds are very clean and well manicured. It would also depend on the person being laid to rest if the parking lot could handle a massive influx of cars. For our wake, we filled the lot, but there was always a space for new arrivals. There were plenty of spaces to sit and talk in, and the back kitchen and food area had plenty of seats. There was nothing that I could say threw me for a curve or did not sit well. I have been to a substantial amount of wakes, and remember, in the past, having 2 nights of wakes and then the funeral, it was always a stressful time for the family. I have been a pallbearer on 4 different occasions and know the process and steps for the family. I did not hear or see any issues or behind the scenes gossip. Overall, this was a very pleasant and relaxing experience for such a difficult thing to go through.

My experience was exceptional as Samantha attended me and my family with respect and made the difficult journey for us less stressful. She was constantly available to answer questions and to ensure this process went as smooth as possible. Not only where we able to get everything arranged on the day of our appointment, but she was able to provide us with detailed information on how to get my father buried at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial because he was a veteran. We are forever thankful for that. My daughter recommended this place as she has been here several times and I have to say the overall experience was astounding. Samantha made us feel a sense of comfort, even though we were all mourning. I will continue to recommend this place as they made it very special for my father and my family.