Four generations ago, Chad Riemann's family entered funeral service on the MS Gulf Coast. It was in downtown Gulfport where his family purchased their first business, Wilder Funeral Home. The next 70 years led his family to expand their service area throughout Harrison and Hancock County by offering Superior Service and convenience. In 1990, Chad's family formed a partnership with the Loewen Grp Intl. This partnership offered more services, capital for facilities, and benefits for staff members, while still allowing the Riemann family to retain ownership in the business and continue to manage the business. In 1995, Chad Riemann, followed his family heritage by joining his father, David, and his Uncle, Mike, in the Riemann Funeral Homes in partnership with Loewen.
In 1999, the Loewen Grp Intl filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. At this point, the partnership formed in 1990 with the Riemann family was dissolved. Two years later, Loewen emerged from bankruptcy as the Alderwoods Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation with corporate offices in Cincinnati and Canada. From 2001 until 2005, The Alderwoods Group Inc., operated the Riemann Funeral Homes and/or Riemann Memorial Funeral Homes as a part of its corporate structure. David, Mike and Chad Riemann continued to work as part of the Riemann Funeral Homes until September 30, 2005. At that time they left Alderwoods Group, Inc. including Riemann Funeral Homes and Riemann Memorial Funeral Homes. Alderwoods Group Inc. continues to operate Riemann Memorial Funeral Homes as part of its group.
In October of 2005, Chad decided to begin a new local funeral home, just as his great grandparents did in 1920, and established Gulf Coast Funeral Homes, Inc., a Mississippi corporation.
Gulf Coast Funeral Homes' first location was opened in the DeLisle community. Although located in DeLisle, the funeral home served families from Moss Point to Poplarville in its first month. This support has allowed Gulf Coast to begin construction on its second facility located at Three Rivers Road and Dedeaux Road in Gulfport. In the near future, the service that families on the Coast have grown to trust in Chad Riemann and his family will be more convenient than ever as we strive to serve each community on the Coast.
Submitted by Anonymous from gulfport ms
Q: What would be the cheapest way to be buried in missisippi? WE are very poor and have no burial insurance....how much is it to prepay a funeral if you don't want any ceremony or lying in wait at all..thanks...
Answered 08/16/06 16:30:37 by Chad Riemann
A: Thank you for your question. We can help all families create a meaningful funeral while taking into consideration their specific needs. Because there are so many options, we would invite you to contact us directly to discuss your family's needs. You may reach us at 539-9800. Thank you, Chad Riemann.Submitted by Anonymous from Jackson, MS
Q: My question: In Mississippi, can permission be granted to have a loved one buried in the yard of the home? I know of several plots and it is driving me crazy not knowing if this is a legal burial.
Answered 08/01/06 20:57:00 by Chad Riemann
A: Thank you for your question. It is legal in the state of Mississippi to start a family cemetery. However, each county has their own requirements for it to be established and to be considered a legal entity recorded in the Tax Assessor's Office. I would recommend that you contact the county courthouse pertinent to this situation to find out what those requirements are. Thank you, Chad Riemann.Submitted by RWM from OLIVE BRANCH, MS
Q: My son,43,died 7/30/06 due to sudden brain hemmorage (DR declared him brain dead)one day after unrelated surgery. At that time, his mortician girlfriend told us that they had just married, showed no proof, and took over. Next day asked me to sign for his cremation. Why would this be necessary? Thank you. I did not sign. Please advise. asap
Answered 08/01/06 12:16:55 by Chad Riemann
A: RWM, Please accept my condolences for the death of your son. In Mississippi, the next of kin has the right to make arrangements regarding burial and cremation. The first person recognized as next of kin is a spouse. If there is no spouse, then adult children are next. After children, the next of kin would be both parents, and so on. If they were married, it would not be necessary to have the parents permission to proceed with a cremation. You can contact me further at (228) 539-9800 to discuss the situation in more detail. Thank you for your question. Chad RiemannSubmitted by Anonymous from Utica, MS
Q: I would like to move my husband's and son's graves from a small private church cemetary. How do I go about doing this? Are there any legal issues that must be addressed? About how much would this cost?
Answered 07/31/06 12:11:12 by Chad Riemann
A: Thank you for your question about disinterments. Each disinterment has its own individual set of circumstances that must be addressed. The legal next of kin must authorize the disinterment. In this case, you would be the next of kin for your husband, and if your son was not married or had any children, you would also be his legal next of kin. It must be determined if vaults were used for the burial, and where the caskets will be transported for reinterment. If you are interested in more information specific to your circumstances, please email me at criemann@gulfcoastfh.com, and I will gladly help you take care of your wishes.Submitted by rachelladnier from passchristian Ms 30571
Q: could I get info sent to me on cremation
Answered 07/12/06 21:02:27 by Chad Riemann
A: Hi Rachel, Please email your mailing address to criemann@gulfcoastfh.com, and I will send you a packet of information regarding cremation. Please indicate if Memorial and/or Funeral Services are also part of your request. Thank you. Chad RiemannSubmitted by Bill from Baton Rouge, LA
Q: Mrs. Vaudie Berteau's Funeral was at Riemann's funeral home on Sunday, July 2. I have not been able to locate an obituary on her. I live in Baton Rouge and would like to get one if have it. I would like a laminated one if possible.Thank you.
Answered 07/04/06 13:55:27 by Chad Riemann
A: Bill, Thank you for your question. After looking at Legacy.com, I found Mrs. Berteau's obituary online. Although the services were not held through our funeral home, I would be happy to laminate the obituary and send it to you. Please email your address to criemann@gulfcoastfh.com. Because you may not be aware, The Riemann family that the community knows is no longer affiliated with Riemann Funeral Homes, which is owned by the Alderwoods Group with corporate offices in Cincinatti, Toronto, and Vancouver. The Alderwoods Group has also entered into an agreement to sell their assets, including Riemann Funeral Home, to SCI out of Houston, Texas. According to reports, that transaction should close by the end of the year. I founded Gulf Coast Funeral Homes, Inc. in 2005 to continue the service and hertitage that my great grandfather started in 1920. We are very fortunate to have most of the same staff now with us that have been with us for so long, including my uncle, Mike Riemann. Thank you for your interest, and if we can be of further assistance, you can log on to our website, or email me directly or info@gulfcoastfh.com. -Chad RiemannSubmitted by laverne from cleve oh
Q: is there a free way to find a birth or death record?
Answered 07/03/06 18:42:36 by Chad Riemann
A: Hi Laverne, You may be able to find the information you are looking for at the Mississippi Department of Health / Vital Statistics (www.msdh.state.ms.us.) They are responsible for birth certificates and death certificates. You may also check legacy.com for obituary listings. If you have a more specific question, you can email me at criemann@gulfcoastfh.com. Thank you for your question.Submitted by pk from lady lakes , fl
Q: I HAVE HAD A PREPAID FUNERAL IN MISSISSIPPI. I NOW LIVE IN FLORIDA AND WANT TO BE BURIED HERE. I CALLED THE FUNERAL HOME AND THEY TOLD ME THE MONEY I HAD PAID IN WAS IN A TRUST. AT THE TIME OF MY DEATH IF THE FUNERAL HOME IN FLORIDA WOULD SEND THEM A DEATH CERTIFICATE THEY WOULD RELEASE THE MONEY. I WANT THE MONEY NOW TO PREPAY ON THE ONE IN FLORIDA. CAN I GET IT?
Answered 07/01/06 13:20:20 by Chad Riemann
A: pk, Thank you for your question. The language in the contract will determine if the contract is irrevocable or not. Most prearrangements are irrevocable. If so, we can look at the agreement and determine if it can be transferred to us. You can call us at 539-9800 and we will visit with you in person to help determine its content. You may also visit one of our local facilities, and we will gladly assist you. You can obtain driving directions at our website under the "Locations" tab. Thank you. Chad RiemannSubmitted by Melissa from Tewksbury, MA
Q: My aunt passed away, and we had her cremated. Her husband, who is unreachable, is the only one who can sign for her ashes. Is there a way that my dad, her next of kin, can get the ashes so we can have a ceremony for her. The funeral home said that her husband is the only one who can sign for her ashes. Is this correct? If so, is there a petition or form we can fill out to get permission to acquire her ashes?
Answered 03/29/06 02:16:56 by Chad Riemann
A: Melissa, Thank you for the question. In reference to next-of-kin laws, in Mississippi, the husband is the one and only next-of-kin in this situation. There is no way to circumvent his responsibility unless a judge orders otherwise. You would have to contact an attorney to petition the courts to release the urn to you and the other family. However, if there is a known next-of-kin, it may be unlikely that the courts would decide against their legal right. A call for legal advice may be your next option. Chad Riemann, President and Owner, Gulf Coast Funeral Homes.Submitted by jma from flossmoor, illinois
Q: My husband's brother died in Los Angeles, CA and his body was cremated. My husband's mother has the ashes in Chicago and would like to bury them in the family plot in a Catholic Cemetery in Chicago. How can she obtain a copy of the certificate of cremation without the consent of her deceased son's wife?
Answered 03/15/06 13:17:05 by Chad Riemann
A: JMA, Thank you for your question. When a cremation takes place in Mississippi, the crematory issues a cremation permit that is given to the family along with the urn. In this case, since your brother-in-law was married, his wife would be considered his next of kin. She would have had to authorize the cremation, thus, also giving her the right to take possession of the urn unless she gave that right to your mother-in-law. If she passed that right along, then the crematory or funeral home would have that information and be able to reproduce the certificate from their records and give it to your mother in law. Thank you.Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified
Q: my friend's 10-year-old girl died in a plane crash in mississippi and while she was in the hospital with injuries (she survived the crash) the biological fahter took her to court and got custody of the body to be buried in mississippi even though my friend had signed a letter and put her s.s. number under it (she could not talk because of her injuries) stating that she wanted her daughter to be buried in Texas. She had custody all the girls life. She came back to court when able to and the court denied her request again. How could this happen. First court done over phone. Thanks.
Answered 03/12/06 13:18:41 by Chad Riemann
A: Thank you for your question. In Mississippi, both parents have the right to make decisions regarding the burial of a child, even if one has custody, unless there was a legal decision rendered that would change it due to certain cicumstances. I think an attorney should be consulted to discuss the individual nature your question. Thank you. Chad RiemannSubmitted by ANDY WARDEN from COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
Q: College Station,Texas-- My father-Andy Warden-b.6/28 /1922-Wiggins,Ms-- d. 2/27/2006 in College Station,Texas.he has 4 daughters--jeanne mcclure in kansas, elaine black in austin,texas, beverly benson, bryan,texas, deborah love in taylor,texas .just wondering if anyone had notified this paper..of course maybe not ..thanks...deborah w love
Answered 03/06/06 16:14:25 by Chad Riemann
A: Deborah, I looked at Legacy.com, the site that the SunHerald places their obituaries on for guestbooks, and I did not find Mr. Warden's name. If the funeral home in Texas would forward the obituary to us here locally, we can submit it the SunHerald for you via our link to them. Our phone number is (228) 575-0909 and fax is (228) 586-0508. Thank You for your question. Chad RiemannSubmitted by Mrs. Joyce Lewis from newport news, Va
Q: my grandfather was taken care of by the riemann funeral home. his name was Thomas EDarl Goho. he lived at 201 villiage apartment. He was born July 29 1900. he dies in harrison gulfport mississippi in sept 1981. I f you could please look up any information on him for me please. If you have papers on his burial or cremation. I would appreciate any information you have on my grandfather please. Also do you know who took his posessions or what he had in his apt after he died what they did with his things please. My mother is his daughter and she wants to know where he fathers belongings went to or what was done with them. I also was told he was buried in evergreen cemetary. I cannot find his grave. I hope you can help us please it would be greatly appreciated. thank you Joyce Lewis
Answered 03/01/06 13:44:26 by Chad Riemann
A: Mrs. Lewis, Thank you for your question, and I will be glad to assist you. Please email me at info@gulfcoastfh.com, or call (888)586-0510 for more information, as this information would be considered privilaged.Submitted by Hollis from Gulfport, Ms
Q: Mr. Riemann, Can we continue to use our family plots with Gulf Coast Funeral Homes? The Riemann Family has been so good to the coast and we want to continue supporting such a wonderful local family. We are proud of you and your family and glad the Riemann Family has chosen to serve the Coast once again. Thank You. Hollis
Answered 02/27/06 20:10:47 by Chad Riemann
A: Hollis, Thank you for your kind expression. We will serve your family with the same service that the Coast has expected from our family and staff since 1920. We feel very fortunate to be a part of the rebuilding of our Coast. Our new beginning is very exciting for us as we continue to move forward with our expansion plans. Each community has its own sense of self, and because of that, our goal is to serve each community in its own facility. In addition, prearrangements made with other local funeral homes can be transferred to Gulf Coast Funeral Homes to ensure that the arrangements are carried out in the manner they were originally arranged. For more information, you can log on to www.gulfcoastfh.com or call 575-0909. Thank you. Chad RiemannSubmitted by Dee from Lutz, Fl
Q: Can a adult child legally cremate his mother without notify all three of the other adult children of her death and of the cremation? This has happened in our family, and only found out about mothers death, when I called to talk to her, as she was living with the Son who cremated her and had power of attorney over her. He said she had died three weeks earlier and was already cremated and that the mother wanted it that way.
Answered 02/27/06 19:57:54 by Chad Riemann
A: Dee, Thank you for your question. Each state has different laws regarding who can make decisions about final disposition. In Mississippi, the next of kin right begins with the spouse and is followed by ALL adult children, both parents, and siblings. Many times, when there are known relatives who would be considered next of kin but cannot be found or contacted, court orders must be obtained to proceed with disposition. If the arrangements were prearranged, there are statutes that protect those wishes that would supercede the next of kin's authorization. The funeral home obtains the authorization from all of the next of kin, if they are known. For a further legal opinion of the statutes, you may want to consider contacting an attorney in the applicable state.Submitted by kgs from Gulfport, MS
Q: My mother prepaid for a plot at Floral Hills in Gulfport, including opening & closing. The plot remains unused since we chose to bury her in Long Beach. We are interested in possibly donating the Floral Hills plot to an unidentified Katrina victim or an indigent family. Any suggestions?
Answered 02/06/06 22:16:36 by Chad Riemann
A: kgs, Thank you for the question. It is a very generous gesture to consider donating the plot in Floral Hills. I know that throughout the year, we help many families that may not be able to purchase a plot for whatever reason. I know they would be greatful for the opportunity to have a plot in Floral Hills. I would be willing to keep the information on file here at the funeral home, and if the situation arose, I would take the necessary steps to make the transfer happen. There may be some authorizations required from you in order to complete the transfer. Please call us at 575-0909 to discuss your offer further. Thank You! Chad RiemannSubmitted by G from MI,49451
Q: My Father died the night katrina hit he was in the hospital i got a call 4days later that he had passed on but never heard anything else from my step mom iI know he was going to be creammated have tried to find out if he was or not never read his name in the papers there I live in Michigan and only had my dad for 5 years would like to have a part of him( his name was Jack Gatewood)
Answered 02/06/06 22:06:29 by Chad Riemann
A: Thank you for the question. You may find the information you are looking for by contacting the Harrison County Coroner. There is a possibility that his office may have some information that will help you. In addition, I would also try to contact his wife. In Mississippi, she would have been the legal next of kin directing his services. Thank You.Submitted by Ray Hendrix from Gautier, Ms
Q: Will you tell me what is needed, documents, etc. to be buried in the National Cemetary at the VA in Biloxi?
Answered 01/30/06 22:14:38 by Chad Riemann
A: Mr. Hendrix, Thank you for your inquiry. Burial in the National Cemetery is reserved for those veterans and retirees and their spouse and/or dependent child that can produce an Honorable discharge. We do all of the paperwork and arranging for that burial with the cemetery. The only spaces that can be reserved are those for second interments (for a spouse,veteran, dependent)next to the person previously interred. We only need the DD214 or equivalent paperwork to make the arrangements. In addition to burial in the National Cemetery, all honorably discharged veterans and retirees are eligible for military honors from the branch of service in which they served. The type of honors depends on the length of time in the service, availability of honor guard, and acknowledgements received during the period of service. For more information you can logon to www.cem.va.gov/nchp/biloxi. Thank you. Chad RiemannSubmitted by arc from gulfport
Q: I live in the Orange Grove area and have seen a sign announcing a new 'Gulf Coast Funeral Home' at the corner of Dedeaux Road and Three Rievrs Road. When can we expect a new funeral home to open at that location?
Answered 01/29/06 20:36:18 by Chad Riemann
A: arc, Thank you for your question. We are pleased to announce the groundbreaking for the second location of Gulf Coast Funeral Homes on Saturday, February 11, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. Ground preparation has already begun, and we plan on having our 'Open House' in early summer. In the meantime, we are opening immediately on the same site in a 3,000 square foot modular funeral home to serve the Gulfport community conveniently. Although our first facility is located in Pass Christian, we can and have been serving families all over the Coast through our chapel and area churches. You can count on Gulf Coast and its professional and experienced staff to take care of your family as we have for four generations. You know us, and we know you. In addition, we are accepting all other local prearrangements so that families on the Coast can have the same meaningful experiences that they expect from a Riemann.Submitted by Bob from Pass Christian
Q: My mother's cremains were in their original container, unopened, when Katrina struck. Is there a center where such items may have been sent for retrieval? Is it likely that this container would remain intact, and is there documentation within said container which would expedite identification?
Answered 01/29/06 20:23:46 by Chad Riemann
A: Bob, Thank you for your question. I am sorry for the loss that you have incurred. In the past, the Harrison County Coroner has taken custody of cremated remains that were discovered. You may try to contact him, Gary Hargove, at 865-4290, to see if he or someone in his office may have further information. His office coordinated with the Disaster Mortuary Team that was responsible for all identifications after the storm. It is very likely that the cremated remains had identification documented either on the bottom of the urn itself or inside. Most crematories list the name, date, and certification number within. I hope this is a start for you, and please let me know if we can help further. Chad Riemann
