Bryan-Lee Funeral Home

While it feels a little weird to review a funeral home, I want to share my family’s positive experience with Bryan-​Lee. I hope this will help others who don’t know much about planning funeral arrangements (as my mom, brother, and I did not), and perhaps it will lighten their burden a bit.
My dad passed away two weeks ago. We did not make arrangements in advance because while we knew his terminal cancer was going to end his life, we could not anticipate it happening three days after the doctors told us there was nothing more they could do. So we were in quite the bind at UNC Hospitals at 2 AM when we had a body and no idea what to do from there.
We were interested in a place near downtown Raleigh, and Bryan-​Lee was referred to us. Do not let its Wake Forest Rd. address throw you off. It’s located just past where Wake Forest Rd. and Person St. downtown turn into each other (near the Krispy Kreme). In fact, Bryan-​Lee is located in the Historic Mordecai district, in an historical home, which my dad would have really liked.
Bryan-​Lee handled everything with ease: They made the arrangements with the hospital to pick up my dad’s body. They handled the cremation as well. They gave my mom a financial information packet about handling bank accounts and the steps to take after losing a spouse. They gave us all of the instructions for writing an obituary. They submitted our piece to the newspapers we requested. One of them was a paper in South Carolina, where I grew up. Andy from Bryan-​Lee e-​mailed me the day after Dad’s obit ran to tell me that he had called that paper after he noticed the online article did not contain a picture of my dad. They assured him that the print version did run the photo, and he wanted to be sure to write that to me before I looked and got upset. Attention to detail, consideration, and customer service like that made Bryan-​Lee a great business to work with.
The space itself, where my family held a visitation, is lovely. It reminded me of a country club and living room at the same time. By that, I mean it is formal and classy while also comfortable. There were chairs and sofas around the room (which was very large). They have a way to play music if you bring some (though we chose to play it from my brother’s computer). They provide ample tissues, mints, and water. They also direct guests arriving to the proper room, take their coats, provide empty boxes so we can take flower arrangements home, handle all of the paperwork required, and other things I’m sure I did not notice.
Overall, my family was very pleased with Bryan-​Lee Funeral Home. They are friendly professionals who really make you feel safe and welcome when you are otherwise feeling sad, confused, and in a vulnerable position. I recommend them to anyone in need of their services.