schramkafh-257322

Gather Them Home

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:20:09 GMT

Finding Dignity and Closure Beyond Direct Cremation

Last year, I read a book entitled The Right Way of Death: Restoring the American Funeral Business to Its True Calling by Eric Layer. To say this book inspired me is a gross understatement. It lit a fire in me to be the best I could be as a funeral director and offer meaningful experiences to families who have lost loved ones. The book explores the changing funeral industry, including how to navigate the shift in family preferences, and how to effectively lead families through the grief process as final viewings and graveside services are gradually eliminated. The rise in cremation nationwide is a large reason for this, but the book gives examples and ideas on how to still create an environment that allows grief to be expressed. One of my favorite quotes is “Humans have almost universally agreed throughout history and across cultures that grieving requires action, community, and ritual.” (pg 52). As a funeral director, I see this every day and do my best to create opportunities for families to have those three things happen.

What we call a “direct cremation” by itself is just the cremation of the body with no services. Families have given me many reasons why they only want a direct cremation - financial, desire to keep things simple, family issues, or “dad just didn’t want anything”. While I will never press a family away from doing a direct cremation, that process itself does not allow proper grieving to take place. What I recommend to those families may be a final private view of their loved one, or if they don’t want a service, I tell them to gather with family and friends for a lunch to share stories and remember the person they have lost together. Closure can be found in many small acts; it does not always require a large and expensive gathering. But the action, community, and ritual, whatever they may be, must be utilized for grief to evolve.

Another aspect of the direct cremation choice that many do not consider is what happens to the cremated remains after cremation. Some are interred in a cemetery, some are placed on the mantel to keep a loved one close, and some may be scattered in a favorite place. But a problem arises for those who keep the cremated remains at home - what happens as generations pass, and those who are left caring for an urn no longer even know who the person was that is in the urn? Will they pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to inter them in a cemetery? Will they know a favorite place to scatter the ashes? Or will the urn find itself somewhere it doesn’t belong- forgotten in a closet, on a shelf at Goodwill, or even in the landfill? All of these things have happened time and again, and will continue to happen unless a better solution is found.

Eric Layer mentions in The Right Way of Death an event he helped start at a cemetery in New Mexico called Scatter Day. For one day, families with urns they didn’t know what to do with were invited to bring them to the cemetery for free placement or scattering in their scatter garden. While this event could have been considered a bad business practice, the truth of the matter was that it gave people a chance to put their loved ones to rest in a dignified manner, who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to do so.

The moment I read about Scatter Day, I knew I wanted to bring this to our own families. Both legally and in the funeral service industry, we incorrectly identify cremation as “final disposition”. If that were true, we would not find the need to place or scatter the cremated remains reverently. But because of this inaccurate definition, funeral professionals are partly to blame for the lack of follow-through on placement of cremated remains.

In order to bring Scatter Day to our funeral home, I had to get a little creative. In Wisconsin, funeral homes and cemeteries legally must be separate entities, so I needed to find a place to inter the cremated remains. For many years, Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee has offered funeral homes in the area to place their unclaimed cremated remains for free, so I reached out to them to see if they would accept urns from this event. They readily agreed. Because Holy Cross is a Catholic cemetery and remains are meant to be kept whole and together, I renamed our Scatter Day event to Gather Them Home, which was itself a decree from Pope Francis regarding the disposition of cremated remains.

On August 21st, 2024, we held our first memorial service for families who wanted to inter their loved ones’ urns. The memorial service included comforting words and music, followed by food and fellowship at our funeral home. The urns that were brought in were placed on a table together in reverence to be taken to Holy Cross for their All Souls Remembrance and placement on November 1st. In total, we collected 31 urns for placement.

I knew the importance of this event. I knew there was a need for it. What I wasn’t prepared for was the sheer relief we felt from families as they carried in their loved ones’ urns to be laid to rest, finally. One family brought in four urns that had been collecting in their closet. Some of the dates for cremation go back to the 1970s and 1980s. The urns came from all over the country- from Alaska to Maine. It was an incredible representation of how families wanted to care for their loved ones’ remains, but couldn’t or didn’t know how to give them a proper final disposition.

The day after the event, my mind was reeling, and I ultimately focused on one thing- how to reach more people who need this service. I believe that the vast majority of people know that cremated remains don’t belong in the garbage. But whether they don’t have the means or the knowledge to provide otherwise, that’s sometimes what happens. So I will continue to advocate for proper placement of cremains and provide opportunities for families who need it.

Our next Gather Them Home event will take place on Wednesday, October 15th, at 6 PM at Schramka Funeral Home, 13220 W Capitol Dr, Brookfield. Families are invited to a memorial service followed by food and fellowship. If families have an urn or urns they want to be interred but can’t come to the memorial service, they are welcome to bring them to the funeral home any time prior to October 15th.

Knowing Your Options and Planning Ahead

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 15:05:11 GMT

How Personalization and Preplanning Can Create the Goodbye You Want — and the Comfort Your Family Needs

One thing I love about my job is the opportunity to educate families on what is possible when it comes to a funeral or memorial service for their loved one. The traditional image of families dressed in black at church or the graveside, completely solemn, still has its place in the modern day. Funerals are a time to come together and mourn, sharing grief and learning to accept what has been lost. But more and more, I find memorial services filled with laughter and a chance to tell a loved one's story. This may be a display of tea cups, recipes on memorial cards, or tomato plants used instead of flowers. When I help families write obituaries, I ask them, "What do people say when they talk about your dad? What will make people think of him when they see it?" I've helped transform our funeral home into a carpenter's woodshop and a beach retreat for someone who loved traveling to Florida. At those services, along with the traditional prayer cards, we gave away carpenter's pencils with the deceased's name on it and vials of sand and shells for guests to have as a keepsake. Creating those unique environments brought up fond memories for family and friends and encouraged storytelling throughout the visitation.

Recently, I had a woman reach out to me to preplan her funeral. I had taken care of her son several years before, so I knew her fairly well, but several months ago, she had been given a cancer diagnosis with only a few months to live. I visited her home to discuss what she envisioned for her service. She had chosen cremation with a memorial service and was able to designate some friends to take care of the arrangements instead of family who lived further away. Once we covered the basics, I asked for more details about what she wanted the service to look like. She was very detailed in who she wanted to speak (even some of what she wanted them to say), what pictures she wanted out, and what food she wanted catered (we had a huge tray of her favorite - blonde brownies!). And lastly, included in the obituary, was an instruction that all funeral guests please wear bright colors. She did not want this to be a sad event, but a party.

After she passed and we held her celebration of life, every single guest left with a smile or a comment of "This was exactly what she wanted!" And it was - because she was able to preplan and tell me all of her wishes to make the event exactly what she wanted, but also what her friends and family needed after her passing.

While personalization can make a funeral or memorial service especially memorable, sometimes the type of service a family selects is just as important. While cremation is the preferred choice for most families these days, there is still usually an option for viewing before cremation as a chance for a final goodbye. This may be a private viewing just for a few family members — maybe for someone who had been out of town and didn't get a chance to say goodbye — or it may be a full public visitation with a rental casket. Whatever form of final disposition is chosen - cremation, burial, or entombment - a final viewing can be incredibly helpful in finding closure and moving through your grief journey.

As a preplanner, I hear many reasons for people not to plan ahead- whether they're not ready financially, think they're too young, or just don't want to talk about their eventual death. But the fact is that preplanning actually solves all of these excuses:

If you preplan, the financial burden can be lifted from your family and may even save you money in the long run if service pricing is guaranteed.

We never know when our time is coming, so give yourself and your family the peace of mind of knowing things are taken care of.

Lastly, even though the conversation can be hard, you can only get what you want if you say something. Deciding what kind of services you want and making your wishes known can ease stress on family members who are already going through an emotional time.

Hard conversations are a part of life. So is death. Taking the time to learn about the options available for your funeral and what may help your family after you are gone can be the best gift you can give them —and yourself.

by Amanda King

Funeral Director

A Career in Funeral Service

Tue, 20 May 2025 18:11:12 GMT

Sharing the Realities, Rewards, and Shifting Perceptions of Funeral Service

Last month, I had the opportunity to be both a presenter and an exhibitor at Career Day at two local high schools. Being able to present information to high school students about a career in funeral service was a great and engaging experience. Funeral service is not a career most students consider, or are even aware of. During my presentation, I opened with the question, "What does a funeral director do?". I was a little surprised to get answers that exclusively talked about how funeral directors lead services, help families through grief, and plan the details of the funeral or celebration of life - out of two classes of about twenty students each, no one mentioned preparation or disposition of the body. Even in a younger generation who probably hasn't been to many, if any, funerals in their lives, these answers represent the clear change that is happening in the funeral industry- a shift of what is important or meaningful to families in a funeral.

A career in funeral service isn't an easy one. Death does not stop at 5 PM; even a good on-call schedule promises to take away your nights, weekends, and holidays. You may be up all night making transfers, then must report by 7 AM to get to church for a service. Some days are booked solid with services, and it's all hands on deck- that means you can't be sick, your kids can't be sick, and your dog can't be sick. You NEED to show up for your service because there is no one else. But that sentiment pulled me into funeral service, and often keeps me going when the days and weeks get long- there is no one else.

Many funeral service professionals will tell you it's a calling. Not everyone can do it. Whether because of the on-call hours, a weak stomach, or just the desire to avoid grief and sadness every day, many people just can't handle a job in funeral service. But for those of us who have been called to it, it is one of the most rewarding professions imaginable.

As a funeral director, I have the privilege of helping families share the stories of their loved ones—and what remarkable stories they are. Like the 90-year-old woman who was abandoned by her father at a train station, yet went on to build a legacy and raise a family of her own. Or the passionate volunteer and small business owner who became a true pillar of the community. And the environmentalist teacher who not only wrote books about soil, but chose to be cremated and placed in a biodegradable soil urn - a final act that reflected the values she lived by.

I see laughter arise from grief as families take time to reminisce and celebrate the time they shared with their loved ones. I get a glimpse into the deceased's lives at all stages—learning to drive stick shift, jumping fences at concerts, rising through their careers, and their sheer joy when building Magna-Tiles with their grandchildren. Seeing lives from the end of their stories gives perspective on what is most important and lessons on how to live a good life.

At the career fairs, I encouraged those interested to explore different options for entering funeral service - whether a job shadow, tour of a funeral home, or entering into an apprenticeship. In Wisconsin, the state requires an Associate's degree in Funeral Service, a one-year apprenticeship, and passing state and national board exams. Recently, they have also started a two-day apprenticeship course through MATC to become licensed as a funeral apprentice. Apprentices can do transfers, body preparation, and assist with funeral services under supervision. This is an easy way to get your feet wet in the industry without a major time or financial commitment to start a career in funeral service.

Though finding a work-life balance can be challenging, a career in funeral service offers incredible opportunities to help families through their most difficult times, as well as a chance to hear amazing stories about the lives of those in our community.

Returning to Nature: Exploring Green Burial and New Eco-Friendly End-of-Life Options

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 20:52:59 GMT

As spring brings renewal, many are rethinking traditional funerals in favor of natural, sustainable choices —offering a meaningful way to honor life, death, and the environment.

Spring is officially here, and as the days get warmer and we start to return to the fresh air and enjoy the budding trees and flowers, we are reminded of the cycle of life. When thinking about what this means to your funeral, you may consider green burial as an option.

The idea of green burial is not new—in fact, it is thousands of years old. However, the rising awareness and focus on what is sustainable, environmentally friendly, and, well, green has given rise to more interest in alternate disposition options.

What most of the funeral industry defines as a "traditional" green burial mainly comes down to three components: no chemical embalming, no outer burial container, and the use of natural materials for either a casket or burial shroud. These may include wicker or wooden caskets without metal hardware.

What I like about the idea of green burial is the "natural" element. It brings us closer to the elements in a physical way, returning to earth without barriers or chemical preservatives.

Just this week, I talked with a woman who was interested in the new alternative disposition of "terramation," or human composting. The process consists of a burial container or "pod" containing all-natural elements, such as alfalfa, that help with the body's natural decomposition. The process takes several months, and what remains is a soil-like material that can be returned to the family or used in needed areas such as for reforestation.

Part of our discussion led to her father's death just before COVID. She was with him daily and was able to be with him at the time of his death. I could tell just from her voice how important it was for her to be there, and how moving and spiritual it was for her to experience his last moments with him. We talked about how death is a natural part of life, just like birth, and how, in certain settings, it is a time for family that should be witnessed and felt fully. To witness death is to be in touch with your own mortality. Though the emotions that come with death - grief, sadness, maybe anger or guilt - are quite the opposite of the joy that comes with a new birth, they are just as important to experience. Grief is a natural part of the human experience; blocking it off or ignoring it is unhealthy.

While terramation is still very new and not yet legal in the state of Wisconsin, it may be only a few more years before it becomes available locally. However, we are fortunate in our area to have two public cemeteries that offer traditional green burial: Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha and Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee. There are many options available if you are interested in a green funeral, so ask your funeral director today how we can help honor your wishes.

Am anda King

Funeral Director

Finding Closure: Reflections on the COVID Memorial Services

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:10:11 GMT

Creating space for grief, connection, and long-awaited healing.

On Wednesday, we held two memorial services for our families to commemorate five years since the COVID pandemic shut down the world. We hoped to give these families space to grieve and celebrate their loved ones’ lives together in a way they couldn’t during the pandemic. One story was shared during our reception that struck me as the exact reason we needed to have these services:

A wife lost her husband and was able to hold his funeral with 400 attendees in February, right before everything shut down. It was wonderful that she could hold that service and have the opportunity to connect with so many loved ones, but after the shutdown, she said she missed out on grieving. There were no grief groups - support of any kind couldn’t happen in person - and the isolation compounded grief and loneliness. She talked about having crying bouts for a long time and knowing that allowing herself to cry was good and healthy. After our service, she told me that as the last note of our final song played, she felt her tears dry up.

Grief comes in all shapes and sizes. It is a journey and can change from day to day or even hour to hour. I’m not sure that this woman will never cry again about the loss of her husband, but I feel like she was able to find closure at our service for grief that had been left unfulfilled for many years. Grief needs to be addressed- I loved that this widow was able to recognize the need to cry and allowed herself to let the tears flow as needed. But she needed her grief recognized in other ways, and we were so glad she was able to join us for our service and finally gain some peace.

A manda

Five Years Later: The Impact of the COVID Pandemic on Grief

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:38:58 GMT

Honoring Lost Moments: A Memorial for Those We Couldn’t Mourn

Five years ago, the COVID pandemic shut down the world, leaving us isolated in a way we have never experienced. While many are glad just to be past that time, be able to gather with friends and family, and get back to “normal”, many others are left with a profound loss that can never be regained.

In the funeral profession, we faced our own challenges, not only in the increased death rate but in what we could offer to grieving families. So many families chose direct cremation who otherwise would have had an open casket visitation or decided not to have services either because they couldn’t or because family members were sick or couldn’t travel. Live-streamed services were helpful, but many missed the visiting hours where stories were shared and hugs were exchanged. The day before, I was to host a large service- over 200 visitors were expected- and the order came to limit groups to 10 or fewer people. I called the young widow to ask her what she wanted to do, and we ended up canceling the funeral. To the best of my knowledge, she never rescheduled another gathering.

The thing about grief, especially in America, is that it is often considered private, something we don’t talk about because it’s painful, awkward, or maybe embarrassing. We think it’s something to get through, and eventually, everyone will be, given enough time. But that is only true when we actively grieve. While grief looks different for everyone, it must be given the opportunity to be expressed. Without those interactions of hugs and storytelling at the funeral, without the chance to gain closure at a final viewing or graveside service, the grief wasn’t being allowed to evolve. It, too, was being isolated. Those who lost a loved one during the pandemic, whether COVID itself was a factor or not, also lost the opportunity to express their grief and find closure.

In that line, Schramka Funeral Home will offer a special memorial service on Wednesday, March 19th, for all those who lost someone during the pandemic and may not have had the chance to grieve completely. We will share words and music of comfort, followed by a time of food and fellowship and a chance to connect with others who have gone through similar loss.

Contributed by Amanda King, Funeral Director and Preneed Counselor

Laura Klein Memorial Blood Drive - May 15, 2024

Mon, 06 May 2024 20:23:05 GMT

Schramka Funeral Home invites you to give blood in honor of Laura Klein. Your contribution and generosity can make an enormous difference in the lives of others.

Laura Klein (1979-2022)

Laura Klein started donating blood as soon as she turned 18. Laura donated religiously until she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer on June 26, 2019, at which time she was no longer permitted to donate.

Her husband John took her place as a donor from that point forward, and he has been donating blood ever since. Laura believed in the importance of donating blood and saving other people's lives.

She herself had to receive several transfusions during the course of her chemotherapy, which is the reason she was able to continue in her treatments.

Laura passed away on April 22, 2022, and ever since, her husband John and their friends and family continue to donate blood in her honor! Please donate blood May 15th to save lives in honor of Laura.

Schramka Funeral Home

13220 W. Capitol Drive

Brookfield, WI 53005

Or Versiti Blood Center Bus

May 15, 2024

Appointments may be made at https://rb.gy/12qr6d

*As a special incentive, all attempting donors will be offered a FREE Water Park ticket to Mt. Olympus Water Park to use this summer.

*Blood CANNOT be manufactured. Don't we all expect it in our time of need, as Laura did, benefitting from from the gift of others?

YES we do! Please donate and consider asking others to as well.

Holiday Service of Remembrance 2020

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 20:52:40 GMT

From all of us at Schramka Funeral Homes, we're pleased to offer this virtual Service of Remembrance for families who have lost a loved one this year or in times gone by. The holidays can be an especially challenging time for making sense of loss or coping with grief. However, it's through our memories, a deep sense of respect, and love, that our loved one's live on and give us hope.

Our service was produced with the health and safety of the entire community in mind. We hope that this vigil will help bring a measure of peace and fulfilment to you and your family this holiday season.  

We sincerely wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and yours.

If we can be of assistance to you or members or your family, never hesitate to reach out to us for advice or support.

Safer at Home: How Funeral Service Has Made Adjustments

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 20:34:53 GMT

At Schramka, we're mindful that the safety of our families and staff remain our top priority. Our essential services are being adjusted to balance the human needs of care and compassion with the requirements for social distancing. Kelly Teague Explains.

Kelly Teague tests her live-chat capabilities on her tablet, which will be used for an upcoming preplanning consultation with a local family. "Connecting with people and earning their respect is so much better when you can meet face to face. This is allowing us keep our appointments personal, confidential and safe."

Between the stock-outs of basic necessities at our major stores and following our State's "safer at home" order, our lives have changed dramatically over the past few weeks.

How our society currently conducts business has also affected families and funeral professionals. Yet all of us at Schramka Funeral Homes are here for you and your family during this uncertain time, just as we have been for over 125 years.

We are recognized as an essential service , and therefore we've had to make a few adjustments.

We've had to become creative and refine how we are providing families with meaningful funeral services within the social distancing requirements.

We are fortunate to live in an age of technology. We can use mobile communications and the Internet to help us continue to provide caring funeral service consultations for the families and communities we serve.

Live streaming funeral services using one's computer or smartphone is another way we can reach loved ones who are safely sheltering at home. This can afford friends and family the opportunity to bear witness and offer their condolences in real time.

Drive-up funeral services is another way we've considered allowing family and friends to pay their respects. Such a service could be conducted under the portico of the funeral home or at the cemetery, and attendees in a procession of vehicles may offer condolences and remembrances at a safe, no-contact distance.

Of course, what's most important is that we will do everything we can, in the interest of everyone's safety, to provide a loving and dignified funeral for their loved one in the middle of a modern pandemic.

This pandemic is affecting us all. As we continue on this strange and uncertain journey together, many of us in our communities are working from home. And that too is a dramatic change.

For some, having so much time at home has inspired us to Spring clean, organize closets, bake, read more, and spend more quality time with our loved ones living with us. It also gives us time to consider our futures.

It's natural to think about what will happen to us if we become sick. Are we prepared financially? Do we and our loved ones have an advanced directive or living will? Have we designated a financial and a health Power of Attorney (POA)?

Finally, have we made final arrangements ahead of time to relieve the emotional and financial burden on those we leave behind?

While we continue to practice social distancing and spend most of our time at home over the next however many weeks, I invite you to explore the opportunity to take care of these important questions if you haven't done so already.

Stay safe and healthy, everyone.

Kelly Teague is Licensed Preplanning Specialist at Schramka Funeral Homes. To find out more about advance planning or to ask questions about current practices, please call Schramka Funeral Homes at 262-432-8100.

Why Pre-Plan? Kelly Teague Explains

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 23:09:15 GMT

"There's vulnerability in acknowledging our mortality," Kelly Teague says. However, in her professional view the benefits of preplanning far outweigh the costs of doing too little too late. Here are a few of her reasons.

Ellen Haines (left) met with Kelly Teague at our Brookfield location. Haines is an active and healthy senior who decided it was time to arrange a consultation with a prearrangement specialist. "It made sense to put these thoughts down and imagine the future. There's a financial incentive, too," she said. "But most important I'm proud that I can look after myself and be a burden to no one. I want a Celebration of Life . My family and friends will get a kick out of that!"

“Why should I pre-plan? I won’t be needing it anytime soon.” This is a response I often hear after asking if an individual has made prearranged funeral plans.

There are several clear benefits to advance planning for your own or a loved one’s funeral. For example, preplanning creates a time and space to express your personal wishes without the emotional pain that so many families discover when they have waited until it's too late.

When you arrange a meeting to discuss preplanning, you will be warmly welcomed here at Schramka and provided all the information you need to make an informed decision. You will walk step-by-step through the preplanning process with a licensed professional.

Another important benefit to preplanning a funeral is cost guarantee. When you pre-fund your final wishes at Schramka Funeral Home, we guarantee the cost of our services and the merchandise purchased.

As the average annual cost of business goes up as a result of inflation or other factors, pre-funding your end-of-life wishes years ahead of time will lock in the cost of services and merchandise and accrue a small amount of interest.

In the long run, you will be saving your family hundreds to thousands of dollars, which is an important financial decision for any family to consider.

Pre-planning can take place wherever you are most comfortable. Schramka has four convenient locations in Greater Milwaukee. Our contemporary, state-of-the-art funeral home in Brookfield, located directly across from Wisconsin Memorial Park, is warm and inviting and will make you feel at home right away.

For some families, preplanning a funeral is a huge step. There is vulnerability in acknowledging our mortality. If meeting within the comforts of your own home is what you would prefer, we can meet there instead to provide you with the information you need to put your wishes into writing.

To learn more and take an important first step, contact Kelly Teague to schedule a preplanning appointment about the services Schramka Funeral Homes offer.

River Clean-Up: Schramka Staff Roll Up Pant Cuffs and Wade In

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 16:46:47 GMT

Schramka staffers take stand against litter in their quest to leave a local river tributary free of debris.

A Great Day for River Cleaning: (l to r) Alex Salisott, Kelly Teague, Deb Wilson and Israel Willingham ready themselves to fish out the trash. The group tackled Lincoln Creek, a tributary of the Milwaukee River.

Last month, Alex Salisott, Kelly Teague, Deb Wilson and Israel Willingham volunteered their time and efforts to clean Schramka’s adopted section of the Milwaukee River known as Lincoln Creek.

As members of Milwaukee Riverkeeper , a science-based advocacy organization, the group decided to take seriously and address pollution and environmental degradation to our local water system.

Twice a year, Riverkeeper's Adopt-A-River Program initiates clean-up events that bring dedicated volunteers to the water's edge of the Milwaukee River and its network of tributaries.

Israel Willingham, in chest waders, gets right in to do her part. Willingham and her colleagues covered a significant section of Lincoln Creek.

After a long day of work, the team’s efforts significantly helped restore Lincoln Creek’s swimmable, fishable nature. After hours in the water and up and down the banks, collecting debris, the team was exhausted yet feeling satisfied with themselves.

Alex Salisott looked over her and her colleagues' efforts and said, “This is so worth it. I’m proud to rally around this cause and see a part of our community transform itself into something better.”

Schramka Funeral Home has always felt a certain duty in providing meaningful assistance to the community and helping out where support is needed.

"We strive to bring members of our community together in order to meet the needs of folks we know and neighbours we have yet to be acquainted with," said Kelly Teague, a licensed prearrangement counselor. " Once again, we're pleased to help out in this way and can’t wait until next time!”

Schramka Funeral Homes provide personalized funeral, cremation and memorial services. We respect all faiths and traditions. We bring dignity to life and find ways to help family and friends say goodbye. We also undertake initiatives that make our communities better. We invite you to reach us to learn more.

Family Fun Before the Fourth: We're Into That!

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 02:54:22 GMT

Schramka staff delight in the pre-Independence Day festivities. Chatting, connecting with families and giving out treats ahead of the 4th of July long weekend.

Just over a week ago, Schramka-Densow staff made it out to the Ozaukee County community and participated in Thiensville's Family Fun Before the Fourth parade!

Parade walkers were Peter Schramka, Amanda King, Debra Wilson, Jessica Trammel and Kelly Teague .

"We had a great time passing out around 10,000 pieces of candy to a crowd of over 8,000 people," Teague explained. "We are thrilled and honored to be an active part of the Thiensville community."

Family Fun Before the Fourth is operated by Community Fun Events, Inc., a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers dedicated to organizing Mequon and Thiensville's premiere summer family fun and entertainment attraction. The event is funded entirely through sponsorships from area businesses and service organizations, the City of Mequon and the Village of Thiensville .

Schramka-Densow Funeral Home was a Silver sponsor of the event. Schramka Funeral Home frequently looks for opportunities to support families through community initiatives that make life better for residents of all ages.

Schramka Funeral Homes are dedicated to honoring life in the most appreciable ways possible. We are a community-minded funeral service provider that respects all faiths and traditions. To learn more about our people and services , we invite you to browse our website or call us at (262) 432-8100 .

Respectfully Retiring Flags at Schramka-Borgwardt

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

We are honored to host this seldom seen tradition for retiring worn American flags. More than a symbol, it's a demonstration of respect and decorum aimed at our nation and our hearts.

Everything has a life, including our nation's flags.

Proud symbols that they are, upright and beautiful, they can't endure the wind through every season without showing their age. Like virtually everything, they become tattered and threadbare, and we encourage locals to turn them over to us throughout the year. There's a protocol for disposing them properly and we take it seriously.

Last weekend we were joined by American Legion Post 416 members, who lent us their assistance and gave us a lesson in civics. We have much to be grateful for in our freedom-loving nation.

Greendale American Legion Post 416 member, Jim Baranczyk, lead the ceremony, followed by a four-gun salute and the live playing of "Taps" by Pastor Richard Andrews.

Funeral Director Tracy Schessow lead the burning, with several firefighters from the Hales Corners Fire Department standing by. Others in attendance from Schramka Funeral Home were event organizer Jacquie Andrews, Sandy Carlson-Kaye, Tom and Janine Secora, Debra Wilson, and Kelly Teague.

There were over 30 people in attendance this year. After the ceremony, we had fellowship and lunch, catered by Bev's Hospitality Catering. This year we had over twice as many retired flags brought to us!

Each year at Schramka-Borgwardt Funeral Home , we host this modest exercise in respecting our flags by retiring them with the hopes and solemnity enshrined in them. We are proud of our country and its ideals, even when we fall short of them.

There's always great power in the ceremony, and it's important to make meaning, tell our important stories and take our emotions further in honor of country and kin. We believe it is these acts that make us uniquely American.

Schramka Funeral Homes provide personalized funeral , cremation and memorial services . We respect all faiths and traditions. We bring dignity to life and we find ways to help family and friends say goodbye. We invite you to browse our website or reach us to learn more.

Schramka Hosts Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 00:59:33 GMT

For the second year in a row, Schramka-Borgwardt Funeral Home played host to Hales Corners' business leaders. Together they are ushering in changes to benefit the community.

The Hales Corners Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting was held last Thursday at Schramka-Borgwardt Funeral Home in Hales Corners.

The annual membership meeting included voting for board positions, a social hour with appetizers from That's Amore Italian Cafe , and an open bar.

Outgoing President Michael Clavette led the meeting and, after attendees cast their votes for board positions, he introduced the new President, James Huot.

The night included an important debriefing of The Tastes Of Hales Corners Wine and Beer Tasting . The event was said to be very successful in raising funds for the Hales Corners Library .

Also on the agenda was the upcoming Scholarship Banquet & Fundraiser , which is scheduled for May 16th. The annual banquet will feature this year's high school scholarship winners, the 2019 Business of the Year award recipient, entertainment, raffles and a delicious dinner from That's Amore Italian Cafe.

This is the second year Schramka-Borgwardt has hosted the Annual Meeting. Schramka Funeral Home staffers John Klein (General Manager), Deb Wilson (Funeral Assistant and Hales Corners' resident), Jacquie Andrews (Administrative Assistant and Hales Corners' resident) and Sandy Carlson-Kaye (Office Manager) were in attendance.

Schramka Takes a Lane in Striking Out Poverty

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Schramka Funeral Home sponsors lane and fields a team for the Milwaukee Christian Center's annual Bowl-A-Thon.

Last weekend we attended the Milwaukee Christian Center’s 21st Annual Bowl-A-Thon , which was held at New Berlin Bowl in New Berlin, WI. This is the MCC's primary fundraising event each year, and we were very pleased to take part and lend our support.

"I’ve been attending this event for more than five years ," said Sandy Carlson-Kaye , office manager at Schramka Funeral Home's headquarters in Brookfield. "Schramka came on board as a sponsor last year."

Carlson-Kaye went on to explain that the MCC does a range of amazing things for the community: "They fix up old houses and sell them to low-income families, teach youths the skills involved in building houses, run a daycare, a seniors program, a food pantry and so much more."

To learn more about the Milwaukee Christian Centre's initiatives, check out their What We Do page.

The Bowl-A-Thon was attended by numerous people from MCC programs, community members and one or more elected officials. The Bowl-A-Thon itself also holds raffles and a silent auction to raise funds for MCC programs.

MCC Executive Director Karen Higgins kicked off the event by welcoming everyone and sharing a video of one of their projects from last year – an impressive mural painted in the community by a group of teens.

"Incredible good can be achieved by working together," Higgins said. We couldn't agree more.

Merry Christmas from All of Us at Schramka

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 22:14:24 GMT

As we prepare to celebrate the holidays, we're mindful of family members who are no longer with us. Their memory and spirit live on, enshrined in the messages of love, hope and fellowship the season promises.

The holidays can be especially difficult for families who've lost a loved one during the year. These absences during family gatherings can take on a profound poignancy, and yet they must be acknowledged and endured. To deny them is to turn our back on healing.

Remembering our loved ones and their past is an important aspect of processing grief and coming to terms with loss. Allowing oneself to feel such incongruencies in the midst of the holidays is no small feat, but the feelings are made easier in the company of empathetic family and friends.

At Schramka, we're mindful of the challenges and changes such families experience during the holidays. We're also conscious of the love, hope and generosity of others. You are expressly in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season, but we're also available to provide a measure of support if necessary. We're always here to help.

Sincerely wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Schramka Funeral Homes.

Schramka Recognized for its Support in the Prevention of Child Abuse

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 17:07:27 GMT

"Whenever we see an injustice or some ill, we believe it presents an opportunity to do something about it." - John Klein

Some businesses, when faced with choosing between the bottomline or the greater good, find ways to shrink from their responsibilities to others. That, however, is not how Schramka conducts itself in the community.

Earlier this week, John Klein , the General Manager of Schramka Funeral Homes, received a plaque from a group you may not automatically think of as extending protections for young people.

The Guardians of the Children is a motorcycle club that takes seriously its efforts to educate and prevent harm to children.

Kevin Parens , whose road name is “Judge," is the President of the Guardians of the Children , Milwaukee Chapter, and a tireless advocate for public education and raising awareness of the hidden and lasting effects of child abuse.

Klein accepted the plaque on behalf of Schramka Funeral Homes for support of their organization and mission.

"We're very grateful for this honor," Klein said. "We're pleased that we can help the Guardians in their efforts to improve our young citizens' lives and make our communities safer and more liveable."

Schramka Funeral Homes is dedicated to honoring life in the most appreciable ways possible. We are a community-minded funeral service provider that respects all faiths and traditions. To learn more about our community outreach or our services, we invite you to call (262) 432-8100 or communicate with us online using our secure contact us page.

Flag Retirement Ceremony at Schramka- Borgwardt

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 15:02:59 GMT

It's not every day you see the American flag turned to cinders on US soil, but that's exactly what happened over the weekend at Schramka-Borgwardt Funeral & Cremation Services in Hales Corners.

The ceremony was no show of protest, however. In fact, it was a demonstration of supreme respect for our country's most widely recognized symbol.

Each year, American flags that are no longer serviceable are gathered and disposed of according to strict guidelines ahead of Flag Day , which takes place on June 14th.

American Legion Post 416 , which is based in Greendale, WI, conducts the ceremony at Schramka-Borgwardt each year to commemorate the symbol.

John Klein , the general manager of Schramka Funeral Homes, welcomed attendees and thanked them for joining in the ceremony. He then turned the microphone over to Commander Tim Baranczyk , who implored listeners to ignore the politics of the day and instead "look through the flag" at the historical events that shaped the country.

Members of Post 416 conducted a moving ceremony in which non-serviceable flags were inspected and deemed to be worn and recommended for retirement.

Baranczyk also touched on ways to repair a damaged flag that is still serviceable.

Boy Scout David Andrews carried the first flag to the incinerator while a gun salute echoed across the sky. "Taps" played as Andrews and Klein lowered the flag into the flames.

The Boy Scouts and Webelos Scouts respectfully took turns disposing of the remaining flags with Klein's help.

"Schramka-Borgwardt Funeral & Cremation Services collect flags year round, but especially in the month leading up to the ceremony, so we had a number of them," Klein said.

Afterward, attendees were invited join veterans for lunch in the chapel.

Hales Corners' Village President Daniel Besson was in attendance, along with approximately 50 community members and veterans.

To learn more about Schramka-Borgwardt Funeral & Cremation Service , including our outreach in the community, we invite you to call us at (414) 425-6060, read more on our website or follow us on Facebook .

Schramka Takes the Next Step in Digital

Fri, 18 May 2018 18:14:46 GMT

Funeral home makes new investment in its website, ushering in a new era of communication with families and friends.

Schramka Funeral Homes is pleased to announce the official launch of its new website. The 125-year-old group of businesses has long understood that consumer behaviors change, and that it's important to adapt and change with them.

"While we primarily focus on our local customers, we realize that family and friends live across the United States," said John Klein , the regional manager for Schramka Funeral Homes. "When a loved one passes, we want those who know that person to have a premium website experience with ready, up-to-date information."

The new website, supplied by FrontRunner Professional , is fast, easy to use and fully responsive, which means it work equally well on desktop, tablet or smartphone.

FrontRunner includes its proprietary digital memorial feature known as Book of Memories , which allows families and friends to light memorial candles, offer memories and messages of condolence, learn more about obituary and service information, and communicate with others using social media.

"People may not appreciate that the funeral home website today holds a certain amount of family and community history," Klein said. "The information published there will live on in perpetuity, so relatives in the future can look back and better understand those who came before them."

Schramka Funeral Homes consists of four locations in the Greater Milwaukee communities of Brookfield , Menomonee Falls , Hales Corners and Thiensville . Schramka's newest location in Brookfield is a tasteful, contemporary facility located directly across from Wisconsin Memorial Park .

The new website provides an impressive virtual tour of the Brookfield location so families can get better acquainted with the layout and decor from the comfort of their own home.

"Funeral trends are changing," said Sandy Carlson-Kaye , office manager for Schramka Funeral Homes. "Even though we never for a second underestimate the affects of loss and grief, more families are choosing upbeat celebrations of life to honor their loved ones."

Carlson-Kaye went on to say that the new website and sparkling facilities spell out important advances in serving and accommodating Milwaukee-area families. She was quick to add that despite the innovations, Schramka Funeral Homes has been doing that part successfully for more than 125 years.

To learn more about Schramka Funeral Homes and their products and services, we invite you to contact us online or call us at (262) 432-8100 .