Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home

We have used Hines-​Rinaldi twice and they could not have done a better job. They are caring and will spend as much time as you like discussing any and all types of arrangements. And they do it all. They really care.

My aunt Sally was a lady of elegance and class. We provided several photographs and some of her favorite make up to assist in her preparation for the viewing. We asked for a tasteful rouge on the cheeks and minimum eye makeup. Needless to say we were rather surprised to see Sally painted up like a truck stop hussy when we arrived for the private family viewing.

BEWARE.
Our dear old Dad passed away this month. If you are considering Hines-​Rinaldi, read carefully. Some people in the funeral business strum your heartstrings like a harp, and will take advantage of you.
At HInes-​Rinaldi, the funeral director marches into the room and explains that she’s been at this gig for 27 years. She hands us a glossy brochure with all the different funeral packages and prices.
The least costly package is fine, we say. Mom is very ill and needs round-​the-​clock care, and the family is budgeting carefully.
We point to the lowest-​priced package in the brochure (the packages have names like bronze, silver, platinum, diamond, etc. (I think the «Bronze» is the basic package ~$ 7,000+)
The undertaker doesn’t blink. «That basic package is ONLY for a ONE DAY EVENT,» she responds. «It does NOT INCLUDE A VIEWING. Just so you know.»
Silence.
«You don’t want a wake or viewing for your father?» she prods.
We have a Big Fat Greek Family; of course we need a viewing. The next package up costs $ 10,000+, a full $ 3,000 more than the basic one.
«Adding a viewing costs $ 3,000?» we ask.
«Yes. We need staff to arrange the flowers and to be here.»
«Wow. THAT IS NOT WHAT WE WERE QUOTED OVER THE PHONE.
Suddenly, my husband, who has been studying the brochure, speaks up. «WAIT A MINUTE! Your least-​expensive package DOES include a viewing!» He points to the brochure. He is correct. The packages are almost identical, except for casket choice.
She grabs the brochure and stares at it. For. A. Long. Time.
«I’ll have to go confirm this,» she says.
Is this her first day here? After 27 years in this business, she doesn’t know her product line? She marches out of the room and shuts the door.
We have no idea where she is — maybe the bathroom? Then she bursts back into the room.
«What do you know!» she says. «Our least expensive package DOES include a viewing! WOW! This is only the second time I’ve looked at this brochure!»
Some careful questioning just saved us $ 3,000.
Every item in each package is negotiable, even the guest book. Our basic package’s brown-​painted metal casket was beautiful. It looked exactly like wood. But we could have saved even more by ordering one from Costco. Funeral directors are legally required to accept caskets purchased from other outlets, and they can’t legally charge you a fee for doing so.
Call around and get quotes – funeral services are legally required to provide them over the phone. And be firm about what you want if you do go to Hines-​Rinaldi. Dad was a decorated World War II veteran, a man of honesty and integrity. He deserved that this final earthly transaction on his behalf be in that same spirit. It was not.

My father died last Tuesday, early in the morning. Tuesday afternoon we were calling funeral homes discussing arrangements for a small memorial service and direct cremation. The rep from Hines-​RInaldi gave us good information and so we drove to their office. The receptionist was clueless but finally found the rep we spoke with. We were taken by elevator into a cheap salesroom showing caskets, videos, and chintzy keepsakes. In the center of the room was a table, chairs, and a calculator. We reviewed what we had discussed over the phone and the mortuary director said she had to review our needs with her manager. She left for a time and came back and said that though she quoted us one price on the phone that it would be higher because of some forgettable excuse. My mom and wife got very cold as we all realized we had been bait and switched. My mom asked to speak to the woman’s manager directly and she went go get him. While the first funeral director was quiet and gentle in her manner, the manager who came out was a slick, subhuman, used car salesman. He jabbed his finger at a brochure saying the new cost was the minimum cost. My mother stayed calm, never looked at his finger and stared at him quietly demanding he give a good reason why one price was given over the phone and now they were giving another. We began with $ 1300 for a direct cremation and $ 1,000 for the memorial service. He had moved us to a mandatory package with a floor of $ 2,600 even though we would not need their package components. We left disgusted.
The magnificent service we did go with pulled back the curtain of the funeral business and told us why we were quoted different prices like it was a used car lot. Most funeral parlors, at least in the Maryland area, do 150 «cases» a year and that has to cover their entire operating overhead. While you may get quoted $ 1300 for a direct cremation, they will bait and switch you to a $ 2,600 minimum once you’re in the door and confined in the sales room. It goes up quickly from there. They really need to hit $ 6,000 or $ 8,000 on each family to make it worth their while. You can easily spend more than $ 25,000 on a funeral. They prey upon you in grief and expect that once you’re in the room you’ll just cave because it takes so much energy to leave and shop elsewhere.
I suggest anywhere other than Hines-​Rinaldi.

This was the second time in a sixteen year span that we have utilized Hines-​Rinaldi. Both times we were EXTREMELY impressed at the level of customer care, communication and respect the folks there have for grieving families.
My loved one’s body was perfectly prepared and dressed. The hair was done perfectly, the clothes immaculate down to the knot on the tie. Because of the“Snowpocolypse”, we had to have them do much of the arrangements and everything they did was exactly as we would have chosen.
It was like our Funeral Director could read minds, she stayed with us from the wake to the gravesite and as they were preparing the coffin for entombment, she grabbed a handful of roses from the casket spray and handed it out to the family… this is just one example of all the little things that she anticipated throughout our dealings with them. She just seemed to –know– what it was that we needed.
Thank you so much team at Hines-​Rinaldi–
To readers of this review: I extend condolances for your recent loss. This home will impress you and take very good care of your loved one.