Inkster Home

Pros

• Penn Funeral Home did a magnificent job on multiple services, and the reviewer highly recommends the business.
• Penn-Orr Funeral Home provided peace, kindness, and fulfilled promises during the early stages of Covid.
• Penn Funeral Home did an excellent job preparing the reviewer's Aunt May, with staff beautifying her and making her look as she did before.
• The staff at Penn Funeral Home were friendly and professional, and the service was wonderful.
• James Penn was professional and compassionate in explaining the funeral with dignity and care.
• The facilities were described as beautiful, and the staff as helpful and friendly.

Cons

• The funeral home is described as very unprofessional, repeatedly changing agreed-upon transportation times at the last minute.
• The staff are described as rude and unhelpful, giving the customer an attitude and making them wait days for a letter for work.
• They allegedly lied about when items were mailed and misrepresented a shipment to the post office, claiming it contained shoes instead of human remains.
• They charged shipping fees that did not meet legal requirements and used improper shipping practices.
• There was no response to multiple messages or calls, and the funeral director would not discuss concerns.
• They showed no empathy for grieving families, delivering horrible service with poor communication.
• At least one staff member was described as rude and uncooperative; others were cold, apathetic, and unprofessional.
• They were late to handle the body (about 1.5 hours) and were unapologetic about the delay.
• They left the family stranded after the service due to transportation issues.

Review

The collection of reviews paints a portrait of a funeral home that elicits wildly divergent reactions. On one end, there are accounts of extreme frustration, poor communication, and a perceived lack of empathy during an already difficult time. On the other end, there are stories of compassion, professionalism, and care that offered some families the comfort they were seeking. Taken together, the experiences reveal a pattern of inconsistent service, with many people feeling that responsiveness and respect varied dramatically from one interaction to the next.

A recurring thread centers on communication failures and scheduling chaos. Several reviewers recount last-minute changes to times that were verbally agreed upon, followed by delays and a general sense of being left in the dark. One person describes attempting to obtain a work letter for over a month, only to be told by staff that they needed to wait "a couple of days," then never hearing back after three days with repeated promises of a future call. Another notes that timely updates never arrived, prompting constant follow-ups with the assurance that someone would call when the paperwork or arrangements were ready, yet those calls never materialized. The impression left is that things move slowly or with limited accountability, leaving grieving families feeling unsupported at a critical moment.

The handling of paperwork and the logistics of shipping remains another painful sore point. Several reviewers allege deceptive or careless behavior: promises about mailings and timelines that never come true, and outright misrepresentation about what was mailed or shipped. One reviewer accuses the staff of lying about when paperwork was mailed and of telling the post office that the remains shipment was "shoes," not human remains, a claim that, if accurate, would be alarming and unacceptable. There are also specific financial and procedural criticisms: a charge of $50 for shipping versus a much lower payment claimed to have resulted from improper shipping methods, and concerns that the required labeling (such as a label marked 139) was not used. Taken together, these comments create a sense that the administrative aspects of the service were perceived as disorganized or misleading.

Many reviews condemn the staff's demeanor as unprofessional, rude, or lacking in empathy. Complaints include being spoken to with hostility, hanging up on clients who attempted to leave negative feedback, and a general sense that the funeral home did not treat families with the compassion that such moments demand. One reviewer, speaking from an out-of-state position during an already traumatic event, felt particularly constrained and underserved, describing a "lack of empathy" and "no compassion" that compounded the distress of losing a loved one. Another account describes a family car and limo driver leaving them stranded at a repast, with a staff member not offering meaningful assistance when asked for information about death certificates. The underlying sentiment is that, for many families, the emotional burden was intensified by interactions that felt abrupt, indifferent, or unresponsive.

Amid these negative experiences, there are also positive notes that stand in stark relief against the criticisms. A number of reviewers recount times when the staff or specific employees went above and beyond to support families, especially during the height of the Covid-19 crisis. One account speaks of Penn-Orr Funeral Home delivering "peace" during a period of immense stress, noting that staff were caring, patient, and supportive as families navigated a new and frightening reality. Another family praises the dedication of the staff and the care they provided in preparing their loved one, with remarks about the staff's kindness, professionalism, and respect. There are even mentions of particular staff members who were perceived as compassionate and skilled, such as the person who beautified their aunt's face and the director who expressed dignity during the service. These anecdotes underscore that for some clients, the experience was marked by genuine empathy and competence.

The overall tone across the reviews is not uniformly negative, but the balance tilts heavily toward criticism when it comes to consistency and reliability. A number of comments emphasize that families felt rushed or pressured, told to wait, or left with unanswered questions just as they were trying to cope with an immeasurably painful life event. For some, the same funeral home represents a trusted, dependable partner during other times, with warm words about the sincerity and capability of certain staff. For others, the experience was so fraught - late deliveries, unmet promises, miscommunications, and what felt like a lack of accountability - that they would not recommend returning or using the service again.

In sum, the set of reviews reveals a complex, mixed picture. The funeral home appears to be able to deliver exceptional care and meaningful, compassionate service in some cases, especially during particularly stressful periods like the early Covid era. Yet in other instances, families describe frustrating delays, questionable handling of paperwork and remains, and staff conduct that felt unprofessional or unsympathetic at a time when sensitivity and reliability are most essential. The disparities suggest that personal interactions, individual staff members, and perhaps regional or situational factors can dramatically affect how the service is experienced. For families seeking service in the future, these reviews imply a need for careful due diligence: confirming timelines in writing, clarifying who will handle each step, requesting explicit explanations for any delays, and seeking reassurances about the handling of documents, shipping, and aftercare communications.

Located in Inkster, Michigan, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that may appeal to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With several reputable car rental agencies nearby, transportation options are easily accessible for those who prefer not to drive. Additionally, there are multiple physicians' offices and hospitals within a short distance, ensuring easy access to medical care. A selection of cafes and restaurants provide opportunities for dining out or enjoying a cup of coffee with friends. For leisure time, there are parks where seniors can enjoy outdoor activities, as well as a nearby theater for entertainment options. Places of worship cater to various religious preferences, promoting community involvement and spiritual well-being. Overall, this area offers a blend of convenience, healthcare services, dining options, and recreational activities that may suit the needs of seniors seeking a vibrant and engaging neighborhood to call home.

Transportation

• Avis Rent A Car (1.3 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (3.3 miles)
• Budget Rent A Car (3.3 miles)
• National Car Rental (3.4 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3.4 miles)
• DTW Delta Cargo (3.7 miles)
• Concourse D (4.3 miles)

Physicians

• Dearborn Obstetrical & Gynecological Assoc PC (1.8 miles)
• Ophthalmic Specialists of Michigan - Dearborn Office (2.2 miles)
• Garden City Hospital Medical Office Building (3.6 miles)
• Botsford Primary Care Physician (4.1 miles)
• Allen Park Family Physicians (5.2 miles)
• Oakwood Healthcare Center (6.7 miles)
• Lagrou, Robert New Oakland Family Centers (6.8 miles)

Cafes

• Tim Hortons (2.1 miles)
• Tim Hortons (3.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Qahwah House (3.8 miles)
• Biggby Coffee of Westland (5.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.3 miles)
• Starbucks (6.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Oakwood Annapolis Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Beaumont Dearborn Hospital (4.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of the Divine Child (3.1 miles)
• Muslim Community of Western Suburbs (6.7 miles)
• Masjid Salam (7.3 miles)

Restaurants

• The Halal Guys (3.2 miles)
• SKY Lounge West (3.8 miles)
• Jimmy John's (3.8 miles)
• The Lava Lounge Too (4 miles)
• Ford's Garage Dearborn (4.1 miles)
• Big League Brews (4.1 miles)
• Taco Bell (5.3 miles)

Parks

• Garden City Park (3.4 miles)
• Schemansky Park (3.6 miles)
• Ford Field Park (4 miles)
• Heritage Park (5.3 miles)
• Hemlock Park (7.9 miles)

Theaters

• Emagine Theatres (6.4 miles)