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Family Owned Vs. Corporate
Reputation matters! The death of a loved one is a difficult time in your life and it is wise to make choices based on the quality of care you will receive.
8 Facts We Think You Should Know
- We are family owned, whereas many other local providers are part of a large clustered corporate entity and report to stockholders. We are mindful that our most valuable asset is our reputation. Our success is best measured by the families we have served for generations. Please allow us to earn your trust and confidence.
- We offer some of the finest and most comfortable facilities in the metro area. You are welcome to visit either of our locations at any time to see for yourself.
- Consistently every year, we have received state and national recognition for overall satisfaction and value received on after-service surveys from the families we have served.
- Our staff is the very best. We require all of our directors to be licensed by the Oklahoma State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers and all staff provide unsurpassed levels of compassion and professionalism.
- We are rapid and responsive 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When calling, you will personally speak with one of our staff members anytime day or night. We own and operate our own facilities and our professionals are involved in every aspect, from bringing your loved one into our care, the professional work of embalming and completion of the cremation process.
- Our fair and reasonable prices are clearly disclosed in our General Price List.
Cremation? Frequently asked questions
Why it matters
Smith & Kernke is Oklahoma City's oldest family operated funeral home, and that record of successful service says a great deal about the philosophy and character of an organization. This is a business where "family owned" has special significance.
Many are not aware that in recent years large corporations acquired countless funeral homes in almost every community. This has occurred in other industries as well, including banks, hospitals, car dealers, grocery stores, and insurance companies to name a few. But in other industries, the new owners are quick to publicize the purchase to inform their customers of the additional benefits derived from the transaction.
This is not so with funeral homes. When a large company buys a funeral home, employees may change, prices often escalate, and the entire nature of the operation may be transformed overnight including their procedures and outsourcing of services. But because it appears the same, sometimes keeping the name and even employing the former owner, you'd never know about the change in ownership – and policies.
When you support a local business, you support the local economic growth, charitable institutions, and overall welfare of your community.
At Smith & Kernke the ethics, values, and standards that have built the company's reputation for over 85 years are still in place and controlled by the Kernke family.
