Jim Sanders

Sanders features a beautiful private chapel
Click on photos to enlarge

Instead, he spent 16 years with the corporate funeral home business.  Jim attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services for 15 months, then spent another year in apprenticeship.  He was trained in the science of embalming and in theories of how to deal with grief.  Jim said that he learned how to recognize individuals that were literally headed for a medical emergency and how to respond.

After the school, Jim went to work at a corporate owned funeral home.  He preferred to work in the back out of sight, however, he said that the company continued to push him into working as a Funeral Director.

He finally relented and began to work with the public concerning their funeral needs.  However, Jim said, the corporate owned funeral homes emerged to a point where more emphasis was put on how to sell people and less on customer service.  "They began to hand out scripts on how to sell people more than they actually needed or could afford," Jim said.

Finally Jim had enough of the big corporate approach. He felt the emphasis had morphed from customer service to a "make the sale attitude.  "I consistently saw people spend thousands of dollars more than necessary to get through a funeral for their loved ones," Jim pointed out.  

Jim discussed his thoughts with a friend who lives in Colleyville, Quen Bredeweg, and the two decided to take a different approach and start a private funeral home in North Richland Hills.  Quen's daughter is a talented singer who performs at many funerals at the bequest of families.

The facility is distinguished by its comfortable, but elegant furnishing.

From strictly a financial stand point, Jim pointed out, "There is no reason to spend $8,000 to $10,000 on a funeral, some charge as much as $15,000 with the grave site.  Our average funeral is $5,500 to $6,000 and we offer all the services, and more, compared to corporate funeral homes."

Jim proposed to Quen that their business should be dedicated to helping folks through a difficult time in their life.  "If anyone calls this funeral home, they will be able to talk to the owner," Jim said.  Jim said that the public needs to know how to compare costs and services.  "They need to know how to read and understand a funeral home price list."  

"As an example, you can go to any funeral home and still be buried in Bluebonnet.  In fact the law requires that the cemetery and the funeral home be separate businesses," explained Jim.

Jim said that corporate funeral homes may provide good service, however, their prices are always higher and many times, they loose the personal touch with the family. "I truly believe that a private funeral home will take better care of your family.  I understand that people may like the convenience of having the funeral at the cemetery, however, they need to know that convenience cost a lot more."

At Sanders Funeral Home there is never more than one viewing at a time.  "I want people to feel this is their home."  Jim pointed out that you can select any funeral home regardless of where the loved one may be buried, he said that he can save families of veterans thousands of dollars by having the service at his facility with burial at the National Cemetery. 

Two private sitting areas, with fire places, provide families a comfortable, peaceful area to meet. Click on photos to enlarge.

The lobby has a grand piano to provide background music during viewings.

Sanders Funeral Home is located at 8525 Mid-Cities Blvd
in North Richland Hills

The main lobby area features additional seating and 
a separate private room features large tables allowing families
to have catered food delivered to the facility.

Jim says the one message he would like readers to come away with is that there are options.  "People should become familiar with services and options before the need.  They can feel free to call me and we can talk about what the best options are for them. A funeral home is more than a building, it is about providing comfort and quality service for families.  We are a neighbor and I want people to consider us as the neighborhood funeral home," Jim said.

Jim Sanders can be contacted at 817.995.5502 or visit the Sanders Funeral Home website.