Broadway Mortuary

I have attended a number of services at Broadway Mortuary having lived in Wichita for quite some time and returning there when friends have lost loved ones. A decade or so ago two close friends were fatally impacted in a car crash. Broadway handled the services for both my friends. Ironically, their families discovered they had purchased the same caskets and nearly identical arrangements — yet the prices were different. That made no sense to me.
Just after Thanksgiving 2012, I flew back to Wichita to attend the funeral of a friend’s mother that Broadway handled. I was overwhelmed by the «sales» related materials in the lobby of the funeral home. The entire visitation in the evening prior and the funeral the next day were in my opinion and observation poorly handled. NO care or concern or organization. It was obvious they could not be bothered on a post holiday weekend.
I write this having attended a very solemn service for a friend who died unexpectedly early last week. His wife was completely at a lost as to what to do, or where to go. Downing Lahey Mortuary was about six blocks away from their home in Eastborough. She passed the funeral home sometimes daily driving to the market or to pick up their children from school or an activity. This was the only firm she knew of. In going to the rosary at the funeral home and the service at St. Thomas the next day and serving as a pallbearer the difference between Downing Lahey and Broadway seemed like the trite but true adage «Night and day.» Downing was so kind, friendly, and understated. I did not see a brochure in the lobby or a request for an «email address.»
I think the final thing that I noticed that was so compelling to compare these firms was the treatment of folks that are aging and having a bit more challenges with mobility, sight and hearing. Funerals seem to be in many ways like airline flights — we are captive, sitting still in a confined space and notice more than any one may think we do as consumers. I believe we carefully take in our surroundings and the behavior of others especially those in charge of the event — or if on a plane — flight. The folks at Broadway were rushed and annoyed, at best flip. With Downing Lahey I noticed the funeral directors helping people with mobility issues with a warm smile and an «it’s my pleasure to help» attitude. Also a touching moment was an older lady during the service that obviously could not hear everything. The funeral director at Downing Lahey saw this in the church offered his arm and moved her forward to hear more clearly. Everyone noticed — everyone.
Having run a successful public relations and branding business for now decades — I saw some of the things that I have imparted upon my valued clients over the course of time, «Never take public perception for granted.» I don’t think people miss a beat and see everything including how businesses treat the public.
I was compelled to write in reading a review of Broadway Mortuary on
that I found completely the opposite of what I have seen at this firm. We should never take public perception for granted. The costs, traditions, practices of the firms in Wichita are important, but so is the level of service offered. Kudos to Downing Lahey for a stellar «teaching moment» in how to treat individuals and families. From what I see you are the «gold standard.»

I have had 3 services of family members here and they have always been professional, understanding of our needs and did things 100% including telling us upfront what the cost would be and keeping to their word. There are a fair amount of rip offs in the funeral business and it is refreshing to have people who are professional and honest. I would use them anytime the need arises.