Ralph Buckner Funeral Home & Crematory

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Horrible experience with Ralph Buckner Funeral Home. My mother's pre-need agreement specified a graveside funeral. I spoke with Ralph and scheduled a 2 pm service with tent and chairs on Oct. 29th, 2022. When my entire family arrived, nothing was there, just a hole in the ground with caution tape across it. We wandered around in the cemetery wondering what was happening. My mother was still in the hearse. Ralph could not be reached and never returned my frantic calls. No one knew anything. The graveside set-up NEVER ARRIVED. Other issues: My mother was embalmed without my knowledge or permission although her pre-need contract clearly selected "no embalming." Ralph insisted that, by law and by the cemetery, I needed an outer burial container - neither was TRUE. I was supposed to be given a General Price List on 10/26/22 but didn't receive it for days after I continued to ask. I never received an Outer Burial Container Price List at all. I filed a complaint with the Board of Tennessee Funeral Directors and Embalmers, for which Ralph was fined $3500. I still have several questions regarding discrepancies between my mother's pre-need contract and my final contract signed with Ralph that included additional charges, however, I emailed and called him for 3 weeks (including a certified letter) but he has never responded and refuses to explain. I can't tell you what a total nightmare this has been. My recommendation: DO NOT GO NEAR RALPH BUCKNER FUNERAL HOME. If your loved one has a pre-need contract there, you DO NOT have to use him! You can transfer to another funeral home! Wish I'd known that before now! I hope it's not too late for anyone else. Also, you have the absolute right to have ALL your questions fully answered and see exactly how all the charges add up before signing anything. I was reimbursed for the set-up and outer container but I still have no idea if or how else I was over charged, up charged, or otherwise charged when I shouldn't have been charged at all.