Technology Has a Place in Assisting Families

Sometimes age old traditions seem at odds with technology. When it comes to funeral arrangements and visitations, the Gibbons Family has added technology to make things a little easier for families who place their trust and confidence in us with their loved ones.

 

When you visit our chapel for a visitation, electronic screens with the image of your loved one will provide easy directions to the visitation chapel. Family and Friends may register using our electronic guest book. This guest book ensures the family has a full record of all of those who came to offer comfort; no issues reading hand-writing, or accidentally missing a guest on the page with incomplete information, etc. When the services are complete, families are provided with pre-addressed envelopes of all visitors along with cards for acknowledgement. We’ve heard many times that the most difficult phase for families is working through the process afterwards to thank people. The worries that someone will accidentally be missed creates anxious moments. The electronic guest book makes this process so much easier and the thank you notes can be sent very promptly.

 

Joe Wright, our vendor and developer of the software and a longtime friend of the Gibbons Family had an opportunity to see his work in practice when a member of his family had passed away. He was relieved to see his work solving precisely the kind of problems he designed it to solve. “Michael Gibbons is always open to anything that makes this process easier for the families, and that helps a lot” states Joe. He adds, “His concern throughout is that it’s easy and user-friendly”.

 

For additional information about Pre-planning, At need planning or any questions you may have, contact us, 24 hours a day at Gibbons Family Funeral Home 773-777-3944 or visit http://www.gffh.com

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/
Twitter: @gibbonsffh
Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/
Website: http://www.gffh.com/

An inviting and warmhearted place. Like home.

 

For Michael Gibbons, having families invite people to a place very much like home was natural. For the Gibbons Family, their buildings were their home. They lived upstairs, answered the phone at whatever time it rang, because it was their mission and privilege to be there for families. Michael’s father Thomas Gibbons understood clearly how important it was for families to be able to come into a comfortable and inviting place to receive their extended families and friends in respect of their loved ones. No detail was ever left to chance. The surroundings needed to provide beauty, peace of mind, and more than anything else; comfort.

Katie Sweeney’s family understood this too. “When my grandma passed away, my mother told me we need to contact the Gibbons Family. We know them. We trust them. When we came in, we knew we were home. It was comfortable,” said Katie, adding, “It was so inviting at that difficult time and it made things easier because we were here”.

“The Sweeney’s are special to us, as are all the families who place their trust in our family at their most difficult moments” is how Michael Gibbons sums up the closeness of the Gibbons Family to the neighborhood and the communities, parishes and organizations they work closely with and serve. The Gibbon’s want every family to feel at home for the time our home becomes their home. It’s meaningful and it’s purposeful to us to continue to ensure that is always how people feel here. It matters more than anything else.

To discuss at-need or pre-planning or any questions you may have, contact Gibbons Family Funeral Home at 773-777-3944 or gffh.com We’re here 24 hours a day, every day of the year for our families.

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

We had no idea these Veteran’s Services were available to us.

“If it weren’t for the Gibbons Family we would not have known that such meaningful and important services were available to my dad and our family”, states Barbara Murphy, adding “my dad passed away at 74 years old and it had been 50 years since he served. Other than to say how proud he was of his service to our country, he really didn’t talk about his service so much”.

The first question Michael Gibbons asked was if Barbara’s father was a Veteran. He was.  From there, the Gibbons took care of everything to ensure the military honors were bestowed upon Mr. Murphy. Barbara remembers a moment during the service where the American Flag was being folded. From her vantage point, the flag was hovering above her father. Her description was “it took our breath away”.

A United States Marine will often repeat the credo that “Once a Marine, you are always a Marine”. The ceremony was moving to every person there. Barbara shares that had it not been for the Gibbons Family, they would never have known that her father was entitled to these services that were earned by his service.

Veterans are entitled to many services including burial at no charge at a National Cemetery like the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. For additional information about Military benefits and honors, Pre-planning, At need planning or any questions you may have, contact us, 24 hours a day at Gibbons Family Funeral Home 773-777-3944 or visit www.gffh.com

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

The Gibbons Family Just Knew What We Wanted Without Our Having To Ask

Being a good listener is important in Funeral Services. Within the grief and confusion that loss creates, families bring up memories and important details of life that matter to them. It’s in listening to those phrases and thoughts where greater intuitive service is born.

Eileen O’Grady Newell experienced it herself. She describes the myriad of events surrounding services for her mom. In her words, “If you’re planning a wedding, you have six months to a year. In a case like this, you only have a few days. And the mindset is a lot different”. So true.

She relates that the Gibbons knew what to do, took care of all the details, and reminded them of things they needed to do. And then they did the extra things because they listened so carefully. When Eileen’s father said how nice it was to bring the procession past his house, it reminded him of their visits to the Children’s section where his daughter was laid to rest. An alert and conscientious Michael Gibbons rerouted the procession to pass the Children’s Section for Eileen’s dad. It was a little thing that meant so much because a family listened to a family they were serving. That’s what a family does. Gibbons Family Funeral Home treats you like family. Because you are.

For any information on at-need or pre-planning services, feel free to contact us at 773-777-3944 or www.gffh.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our family is here to serve yours.

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/
Twitter: @gibbonsffh
Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/
Website: http://www.gffh.com/

Funeral Services that Proudly Serve the Families of Chicago

“You come home to us, we’ll take good care of you”.

That’s the promise Rita Gibbons makes today. The same one her Father and Mother in Law, and her husband made for 2 generations, and the one the 3rd Generation continues to make to every family we have the honor of serving.

Chicago is important and always was to our family, since 1935. Gibbons Family Funeral Home is the Chicago presence of our funeral homes. Grandpa Gibbons and my husband went to all the churches and clubs here; it was their life. Both are very proud that their children and grandchildren followed in their footsteps to serve the families of Chicago who meant so much to them.

For at-need, pre-planning or any questions you may have, contact Gibbons Family Funeral Home at 773-777-3944 or gffh.com We’re here 24 hours a day, every day of the year for our families.

 

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

 

Home. That’s what our family thought it should feel like.

“My father, Thomas Gibbons thought families needed a home to welcome their families and friends into when a loved one passed. They needed to feel comfortable. They needed a warm environment that lent itself completely to comforting”, states Michael Gibbons, who learned this lesson early and regularly from his father. His family lived there too. Being that this was their home, extending their home to families was a completely natural experience for the Gibbons.

Katie Sweeney’s family understood this too. “When my grandma passed away, my mother told me we need to contact the Gibbons Family. We know them. We trust them. When we came in, we knew we were home. It was comfortable”, according to Katie, adding, “It was so inviting at that difficult time and it made things easier because we were here”.

At Gibbons Family Funeral Home, we look for every way we can make the process of celebrating the life of your loved one an experience that families can share in an environment that makes it accommodating to your family, your friends and neighbors. It’s among the most meaningful and purposeful thing we do to continue serving generations of families who entrust us with their loved ones when it matters most.

To discuss at-need or pre-planning or any questions you may have, contact Gibbons Family Funeral Home at 773-777-3944 or gffh.com We’re here 24 hours a day, every day of the year for our families.

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

The Gibbons Family helped us bring Maureen home to Ireland

Michael Gibbons and his family have been long time volunteers of the Irish American Heritage Center. When Maureen, a senior member and founder of the IAHC passed away, it was imperative that her final resting place be in the town she was raised in Ireland. “This can really be a complicated situation, but Michael Gibbons made all of the calls and coordinated the transportation. If it wasn’t for Michael, it wouldn’t have happened” says John Gorski. Adding “My wife and I were able to get on the plane and take Maureen back home. He made it seem simple when it wasn’t”. Mr. & Mrs. Gorski did accompany Maureen to her final resting place. Together, her friends honored her wishes.

Families have many circumstances they need to cope with when a loved one passes away. The Gibbons Family has been helping families cope with loss for 3 generations and consider it their honor to do so. “No matter what we need to do to help people, we will,” says Michael Gibbons. Amid all the arrangements that need to be made and coordination of family and friends, the most important thing every family needs to be able to do is celebrate the life of someone they loved and not worry about anything else during that time. The Gibbons Family knows and understands this.

To discuss at-need or pre-planning or any questions you may have, contact Gibbons Family Funeral Home at 773-777-3944 or gffh.com We’re here 24 hours a day, every day of the year for our families.

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

The Gibbons Family helped us bring Maureen home to Ireland

Michael Gibbons and his family have been long time volunteers of the Irish American Heritage Center. When Maureen, a senior member and founder of the IAHC passed away, it was imperative that her final resting place be in the town she was raised in Ireland. “This can really be a complicated situation, but Michael Gibbons made all of the calls and coordinated the transportation. If it wasn’t for Michael, it wouldn’t have happened” says John Gorski. Adding “My wife and I were able to get on the plane and take Maureen back home. He made it seem simple when it wasn’t”. Mr. & Mrs. Gorski did accompany Maureen to her final resting place. Together, her friends honored her wishes.

Families have many circumstances they need to cope with when a loved one passes away. The Gibbons Family has been helping families cope with loss for 3 generations and consider it their honor to do so. “No matter what we need to do to help people, we will,” says Michael Gibbons. Amid all the arrangements that need to be made and coordination of family and friends, the most important thing every family needs to be able to do is celebrate the life of someone they loved and not worry about anything else during that time. The Gibbons Family knows and understands this.

To discuss at-need or pre-planning or any questions you may have, contact Gibbons Family Funeral Home at 773-777-3944 or gffh.com We’re here 24 hours a day, every day of the year for our families.

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

When a First Responder passes away, it’s a special homecoming

 

John Leonard’s dad passed away in North Carolina. Bringing him back to Chicago was a process directed and taken care of by the Gibbons Family. As a Lieutenant of the Chicago Fire Department, Mr. Leonard was transported by plane back to Chicago. Upon arriving at the airport to pick up Mr. Leonard, Michael Gibbons was directed with his hearse to the tarmac where Firetrucks with crossed ladders along with dozens of Fire Department personnel in dress uniforms standing at attention were already honoring their brother Fireman and Officer. Then, with their lights at full brightness and movement, the motorcade of fire equipment and the Gibbon’s hearse with Lt. Leonard on board were escorted to the funeral home. As John remembers it, “it was quite something”.

 

First Responders have a special place at Gibbons Family Funeral Home and always have. “We have a history and a tradition of taking care of the families of the men and women who serve our citizens in Chicago” says Michael Gibbons. Both the Chicago Fire Department and Chicago Police Department consider their members to be family, and that tradition and camaraderie extends through to the moment when they say good bye to a fallen officer and send them home.

 

For the Gibbons Family, it is an honor and a privilege to be among the people who Chicago’s families choose for this responsibility. There’s no effort too great to take special care of the people who protect us every day.

 

To discuss at-need or pre-planning or any questions you may have, contact Gibbons Family Funeral Home at 773-777-3944 or gffh.com We’re here 24 hours a day, every day of the year for our families.

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

Technology Can Be So Helpful in the Grieving Process.

Gibbons Family Funeral Home has added an electronic guestbook for families we serve. By recording information electronically, it eliminates issues reading handwriting or accidentally missing a guest on a page. After the funeral services are complete, we provide pre-addressed envelopes for each person or family who registered for our families to make the process of sending acknowledgement cards easier and much faster for them. People have become easily accustomed to using the Guestbook and the records are very easy for our families to access afterward.

Joe Wright, the developer of the software for our electronic registry book had the opportunity to see his work first hand with a beloved member of his own family. “When my own grandmother passed away and her services were held at Gibbons, I had an opportunity to see how well our system worked. It was a relief to see that it did make things much easier for guests and especially families after the visitation” according to Joe. The Gibbons Family is always working to find ways to make the very difficult time of loss a little bit easier. And in this case, technology has been added to help. “Michael Gibbons is always open to expanding and adding services to the families he serves” says Joe. Adding, “this really is a big help”.

For additional information about Pre-planning, At need planning or any questions you may have, contact us, 24 hours a day at Gibbons Family Funeral Home 773-777-3944 or visit http://www.gffh.com

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/
Twitter: @gibbonsffh
Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/
Website: http://www.gffh.com/

The Gibbons Family supported us when we suffered our losses.

Laurie Beckman has had very difficult experiences with loss in her life. So difficult that it is very hard to talk about, but important to her to share.

Laurie lost a very new baby boy who was born very premature at 21 weeks, weighing 8 oz. He passed very shortly after his birth. Her family had the opportunity to celebrate his very brief love-filled life and know that he was being cared for with great love and compassion by the Gibbons Family.  Laurie lost her mom to pancreatic cancer. She passed away 8 months after the diagnosis. Laurie’s mom was remarkably special to her; an amazing and supportive woman. Losing her was very difficult. Laurie entrusted her arrangements to the family she knew would take care of every detail. Laurie then lost another son who had become ill at 1 year of age. As overwhelming as this much loss was in a relatively short period of time, Laurie feels that the Gibbons Family shared in all of her difficulty and loss and were there for her in a way she could hardly explain.

“I trusted this family. Anything we needed, they were there. They are extremely caring; wonderful. They knew what we needed”, is how Laurie explains it.

As difficult as it is to discuss, the grieving of losses, especially profound losses, is important to Laurie. She counts her blessings dearly and among them are a family who knew what to do, when and how and take care of every detail that required attention. All the while, they grieved too. “Our families are bonded and there for one another. When Laurie says we were like her family, we’re humbled and grateful to know that. She’s very much a part of the Gibbons Family”, says Michael Gibbons. Adding, “we’re honored”.

For additional information about Pre-planning, At need planning or any questions, you may have, contact us, 24 hours a day at Gibbons Family Funeral Home 773-777-3944 or visit www.gffh.com

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

Being a Veteran and Serving in the Marines Meant Everything to My Dad.

Barbara Murphy’s dad passed away at 74. It had been 50 years since he served. The Murphy’s didn’t realize that Mr. Murphy had indeed earned funeral and burial services with his service. The Gibbons made sure to advise them of everything that was available to them. Among their first questions was “Did he serve?” From there, the Gibbons took care of everything to ensure the military honors were bestowed upon Mr. Murphy. Barbara remembers a moment during the service where the American Flag was being folded. From her vantage point, the flag was hovering above her father. Her description was “it took our breath away”. A United States Marine will often repeat the credo that “Once a Marine, you never stop being a Marine”. The ceremony was moving to every person there. Barbara shares that had it not been for the Gibbons Family, they would never have known that her father was entitled to these services that were earned by his service.

Veterans are entitled to many services including burial at no charge at a National Cemetery like the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. For additional information about Military benefits and honors, Pre-planning, At need planning or any questions you may have, contact us, 24 hours a day at Gibbons Family Funeral Home 773-777-3944 or visit www.gffh.com

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

The Irish American Heritage Center

John Gorski is Past President of the Center and member of the Board of Directors, states “We preserve our heritage”. We all promote the mission together with Gibbons Family Funeral Home, and many of the surrounding supportive businesses and services on the north side. The Gibbons Family has helped a lot of our members with their needs for services. Michael helps the families when they’ve suffered a loss, He helps them when the journey is difficult, both with his involvement at the funeral home and his involvement with the Irish American Heritage Center. The Gibbon’s Family understands our families and they fulfill their mission and ministry with kindness. They also understand the mission of the Irish American Heritage Center in the lives of the people here. Michael Gibbons is a former member of the Board. For generations, the Gibbon’s Family has worked closely with the Center to preserve Irish Heritage in Chicago, the US, and Ireland.

To discuss at-need or pre-planning or any questions you may have, contact Judy Teubert at Gibbons Family Funeral Home at 773-777-3944 or gffh.com We’re here 24 hours a day, every day of the year for our families.

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

AT GIBBONS FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, THE WORD “FAMILY” MEANS EVERYTHING.

Judy Teubert is from the neighborhood. In Chicago, people are likely ask what neighborhood and what parish you come from moments into meeting you. Judy is from St. Pascal’s, a parish we’ve served for generations. She has always wanted to help the people she grew up with. It’s a special thing to be able to help people in their time of greatest need for Judy, and being from the community, it’s likely their families have connected and intersected often throughout the years. There’s also some greater pride and responsibility with assisting families that you know so well, often families who have likely seen you grow up.

Family is important to the Gibbon’s Family. It’s not often that a person who isn’t directly related to the Gibbons Family is providing service at a Gibbons Funeral Home. Michael Gibbons explains it rather simply, “Judy is family. She’s grown up here. She was a student apprentice here. We were very excited for her to continue her service here. She is part of our family.”

While Judy is a St. Pascal’s graduate and parishioner, she spent years playing basketball in the gyms of Our Lady of Victory, St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Francis Borgia, St. Bartholomew and Immaculate Conception in Edison Park, to name a few. “Gaining the trust and confidence of the people in the neighborhoods of the northwest side of Chicago and serving them now is a remarkable privilege”, says Judy.

To discuss at-need or pre-planning or any questions you may have, contact Judy Teubert at Gibbons Family Funeral Home at 773-777-3944 or gffh.com We’re here 24 hours a day, every day of the year for our families.

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/

Honoring the Monthly Tradition of Remembrance

 

For nearly 70 years, the Gibbons Family have been honoring a tradition begun by their grandparents, Thomas and Anne Gibbons. Believing the service never really ends for the families they’ve served since opening their first funeral home, they began a tradition of “remembering” the loved ones of those families with a monthly mass at St. Patrick’s Church in Chicago. Every month, a mass is celebrated remembering all the families and loved ones who passed away during that month. A month prior families receive a letter of notice to remind them of the mass of remembrance for the upcoming month of the anniversary of their loved one’s passing. These masses have brought families together for years to celebrate their loved ones together as a community. Lifelong friendships have developed as people have come to know one another through the commonality of celebrating the lives of their loved ones. Many people attend several of the masses each year commemorating different beloved members of their family.

 

A member of the third generation of the Gibbons Family, Michael,  of Gibbon’s Family Funeral Home in Chicago states, “I’m so proud of the tradition started by our grandparents and continuing today. It is a privilege for our family to be trusted into our third generation serving generations of people throughout the Chicago area”. Adding “It’s nice to see people at St.Pat’s where we’re celebrating together happy memories”.  Added Rev. Fr. Karl Langsdorf who often is the celebrant at the family masses, “Tommy and Ann Gibbons are smilin’ down on their kids and grandkids for continuing this wonderful tradition they started. I’m sure they’re so proud”.

 

For any questions regarding our Monthly Mass of Remembrance or more information on Pre-arrangements or At-Need services, we are available 24 hours a day at Gibbons Family Funeral Home 773-777-3944 or visit www.gffh.com

 

To Connect with Gibbons Family Funeral Home:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibbonsfamilyfuneralhome/

Twitter: @gibbonsffh

Blog: https://gibbonsffh.wordpress.com/

Website: http://www.gffh.com/