Inclusive Funeral Care LLC

Yesterday we were proud guests at the “More Than Ever” educational scholarship luncheon. Awards were given to over a dozen young people, all clients of La Casa Norte, all having experienced homelessness.

Our host Michael Horvich raised 42k from yesterday’s event and over 440k over ten years. We are a small business without a lot of discretionary income, but know the importance of this cause.

Michael’s late husband Gregory Maire was an architect, designer, and ultimately a philanthropist. One of our directors was honored to handle Greg’s final arrangements (at a previous employer) and fell over herself with adoration for Michael, because who wouldn’t?

The event was hosted by McDonald’s corporation. One out of every eight Americans has worked for Mickey-D’s. Thank you to Hamburger University for lunch!

As Michael said, 2026 is a year of anniversaries. 10 years since Gregory died, 10 years since the first luncheon, and now this is the 50th year they would have celebrated as a couple.

We sat next to a young mom holding her three-month old, both residents of La Casa Norte’s mother and child shelter. Her boss was sitting across the room, had no idea that she would be there, or even why she took the day off.

The keynote speaker was Chicago Mayor’s Chief of Staff; born/raised in Logan Square, fantastic person who also went to Whithey Young (there were five of us there!). She left us with this best quote ever from Gwendolyn Brooks: “We are each other’s business.”

Also, our colleague Jacquez received the Gregory Maire award. Jacquez has worked with
IFC on occasion, and is running a fantastic business of his own. We are happy to support our colleague, because we are all in this together!

What a thoughtful review! We adore all of our families; these folks put a lot of careful thought into the details. It was an honor for IFC to be part of this event!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/inclusive-funeral-care-chicago?hrid=LZ8wXE0tZcZp2soEWVDB6w&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Bill Allen, 88, retired Lincoln Park Zookeeper, longtime resident of Ravenswood Gardens. Sustained a bite from Donna the Chimpanzee. Read this obit!

https://www.inclusivefuneralcare.com/obituaries/william-allen-105/ #!/Obituary

Susan Donovan, 79, retired accountant, of Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. Became radical while studying the US tax system. One of very few women in her graduating class to graduate with a CPA degree. This obit was written by her sister, who wrote obits for the New York Times.
https://www.inclusivefuneralcare.com/obituaries/susan-donovan/ #!/Obituary

Mary Russell. 71, retired loan office, of Auburn/Gresham, formerly of Dolton.
https://www.inclusivefuneralcare.com/obituaries/mary-russell-52/ #!/Obituary

Today’s burial took us out to Vernon Hills.

We finally got to visit Willow Lawn Memorial Park’s natural section. Quiet, peaceful, lush.
Bittersweet and funny epitaphs. Our favorite? “Cash or credit?”, assuming the decedent was a skilled sales associate.

It’s tree-planting day at Graceland Cemetery! Look how big these things are! Funeral Director for size.

Every family is VIP to us, but this journalist was just in our office.

Elizabeth Becker used her university financial aid money to take off to Cambodia/Vietnam and forced her way into a reporter position when women were not allowed in war zones. The university called her parents demanding the money be returned.

Beth interviewed Pol Pot, was an expert witness in a genocide tribunal, NPR Senior Foreign Editor...

Nobody wants to have to write their sibling's obituary, but we cannot wait to read the one Beth is crafting: "She was the most interesting of all of us."

Posted with permission.

https://www.amazon.ca/You-Dont-Belong-Here-Rewrote/dp/1541768205
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Becker_(journalist)

Cisco’s parents pre-arranged their green cremations with us this week. Look at that face!

Spaces still open!

“Held: A Grief Support Workshop”

A cozy, in-person workshop where we share, heal, and find comfort after loss.

Sunday May 31
11am - 12pm
Inclusive Funeral Care
4880 N. Clark St.

This is just a one-off, with the possibility of more.

Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/held-a-grief-support-workshop-tickets-1986827443367?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawR5hShleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVOHkwZmo1QkZzMnNscjNoc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgOO0QMbEGUCln1mljg8vA4HjYwN0IgZ2CyHPhgFn4rpEve02QuXAWohu4ah_aem_WDoK4vZBUpJSSMMnkKtr-A