Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home

When my father departed this earth I chose Willie Watkins because they were like family. I knew my father was in the best possible hands. I requested Farris because she is very professional, caring, and kind. My first initial visit was exactly what I expected. After that everything fell apart and I knew that this was not Farris work. 1. After I signed the contract, we walked over to visit a possible site for the repast. When I walked in their newly built event center, I knew it was the perfect place. I told them I wanted it for the repast. Wednesday, after I dropped my dad’s clothes off, I found out that they never booked me for the center. So I started panicking. Thank God a witness was present who knew I had asked for the event center. After a lengthy conversation, I was promised everything would be taken care of and I was told I would not have to pay for the center. Well guess what I had to pay for the center. 2. When they came to pick the family up for the services the car was not presentable. Trash was everywhere like a party had been thrown the day before. No one checked the car. 3. On the way to my dad’s services, I received a phone call from the air force that my dad was at the cemetery. I told the gentlemen on the phone that my dad was not at the cemetery because we were on the way to his services. They were about to place someone else in my dad’s tomb. It was a nightmare. When I finally reached my dad’s funeral they had a pastor who was not authorized by me to be a part of my dad’s services. I was over it! To top it off Farris was on vacation and I knew her hand was not in this. She would have never allowed this fiasco to happen. In the end, my dad services was beautiful despite all the obstacles and Willie Watkins pulled it together. Never stop making your appearances Mr. Watkins. It made all the difference. Farris you are a gem and we love you! My suggestion to Farris, have a team who can function when you are not present. The beautiful, awesome, and amazing person you had over us that day, we loved her. She took very good care of us! Yes, I would still entrust my loved one to Willie Watkins because they are like family!

Thanks A Million to the staff (Precious, Justin, Lamar and the drivers at Willie Watkins (West End) who took care of Mr. Michael Head services on this past Saturday 1/13/2024. Everything went well and Farris Watkins beautiful voice set it off at the cemetery and along with the other 2 gentlemen's was very professional. Special kudos to Precious, Justin and Lamar. Kudos to you all. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

The Willie A Watkins Funeral Home provided excellent service in the arrangements for my Grandmother, Bertha Jackson. The care, attention to detail and compassion shown us went above and beyond our expectations. "Where the name is service" is woven into every aspect of each employee. No words can truly express our thanks and appreciation during our hour of bereavement.

The family of Timothy J. Fowler received very POOR service from Willie Watkins Funeral Home, Douglasville, Ga. during the transition of our loved one. They created 29 days of further mourning by misleading us about the delay receiving the Death Certificate. Only my personal telephone to the Douglas County Coroner's office resolved the issue. They lied to us as the the cause of the delay by telling us it was a "toxicology" report delaying issuance of the certificate, but the Coroner's verified the cause for the delay was with Willie Watkins Funeral Home. And to further insult the situation, the manager, Gregory Ussery, refused to meet with us to further discuss the complaint. After intervention of the Coroner's office, the certificate was released the same day. Be ware of their lack of "Integrity". Take your business elsewhere.

If could give no stars I would. First and foremost, My family was handled in a way I didn't think was very professional by Willie Watkins himself. He seem to get out of sorts about my family bringing a price much cheaper to show. Gave them a whole speech that I don't even want to really get into. Pretty much saying by going to the other competitor you are "selling out". Which I thought was very unnecessary. So unreluctantly he decided to finally match the price because he knew he couldn't lose the customer. And promised us a dove and threw it in our face to say that that's great customer service offering the dove. Fast forward to yesterday. I was told that I have to come and pick up the bird. Which is a bit much in my opinion. But I still continue to do so. When I made my phone call for an arrangement to pick up the dove. I was told that there was no bird to pick up for my memorial service. With somebody telling me that the other three doves are already booked for three other services and that they don't have another one for me. Terrible customer service all around truly, disgusted.

It felt rushed, from start (planning) to finish. Our service started about 30 minutes late, our family and guests had to mostly stand in a holding room with not enough chairs, even though we requested additional chairs. The standing around became uncomfortable for some of our family and guests. The Funeral Director did not pay attention to our program and let a portion of the service start at the wrong time. There were three funeral assistants or directors in and out of our service. The most crushing incident is when I asked to be informed when to pick up my loved one's personal items, before cremation, only to be told the personal items were cremated. Our family is devastated. The crematory denies this as they follow protocol. There were over 10 services the day of our Memorial Service, the staff was running around the halls and in and out of our holding room, as well as peeking in through the glass doors, while our service was in progress. It was a disorganized environment and we felt we were being rushed, due to their disorganized fashion. We had it live streamed, which I am told by family members, watching live from out of state, there was no indication by the videographer of the delayed time. We did not, this time, feel sensitivity and impeccable customer service for the grief we were experiencing. We will not, as family, use Watkins as our Funeral Home ever again. The sensitivity, accountability, and responsibility for a Funeral Home that's been in business for 40 years has definitely become substandard, at least in our experience. Grieving families expect to be well informed, in particular of the nuances of planning a funeral or memorial. "Where Name is Service" Not in our case on many levels. After reading some of the other poor reviews, my family's experience is not an isolated one. One other thing to note: On the Willie A. Watkins Family Acknowledgement Form, where you initial in several areas, please pay attention to "Deceased Personal Belongings: All items must be picked up from Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home within seven (7) business days after services. Otherwise, the items will be discarded on the eighth day after the funeral services. All Jewelry will be returned upon your request." NOTE: Jewelry upon your request. The seven (7) days AFTER stated on the Form/Contract was not afforded to our family. As I aforementioned, I first asked for my loved one's items BEFORE cremation and BEFORE the services. I asked again THREE days after the services, well within the (7) days after the service. However, as I mentioned, Funeral Director, Jaloni Williams, called me to say these items were cremated. This is a breach of contract. Please be mindful of what happened to our family. The Watkins Funeral Home gets to keep whatever items: wallet, money, jewelry, etc. if you forget, in your time of extreme grief, which should not be the case. A courtesy call to pick up items should be the protocol. Additionally, on line four of the Authorization for Cremation and Disposition Form, it states: I understand if I wish to remove or retain any items from the Deceased remains, I must do so directly, or by authorized agent prior to the cremation process. I was not afforded this opportunity, but trusted by initialing the Watkins Acknowledgement form, I would have seven (7) days AFTER the service to collect the personal belongings. Again, the Watkins Funeral Home on Abernathy Blvd. does not abide by their on contracts and forms; a clear case of breach of contract. As of February 23, 2023, no one from the Watkins Funeral Home has reached out to me and my family to offer an apology and a refund for their mistake. Nor has our overnight priority letter to Mr. Watkins (mailed 1/25/23 ) has received a response; my family and I asked for a refund for the cremation botchery. My family and I do not recommend using this Funeral Home. Also, please check the Secretary of State's website before using any Funeral Home, where you will see if the Funeral Home and the Funeral Directors are licensed in the State of Georgia.

I’ll give them credit that the service was nice and the people were mostly professional and on time. I’m giving them 3 stars for several reasons. 1. The Riverdale chapel is old, hot and small for the cost. Suggestion: if a family rents your chapel, give them a deal on streaming and use a room for overflow. There was only 1 chair, therefore, the officiating pastor had to stand. It was super hot in there. 2. I paid for a slide show. This should be played during the viewing, otherwise it’s a waste. They should also provide the family with an electronic copy. I feel that I wasted money because it was shown during some point during the service. 3. The time frame in which it takes to receive the death certificate is ridiculously ridiculous. My mom passed May 7th and still no death certificate. They blame it on the medical examiner but I know they are lying because I had assistance with that. Also, they signed it over 2 weeks ago and still no death certificate. As a grieving family member, I relive my mom’s death every time I have to Call and ask if the death certificate is available. They aren’t concerned because I paid cash so they have their money. Everyone knows you can finalize insurance and other financial issues without a death certificate. UPDATE: After reading my review, the staff at Willie Watkins contacted me and went above and beyond to make things right. I really appreciate the empathy shown and how receptive they were with the suggestions I gave. Thank you so much!!!💛

When my father departed this earth I chose Willie Watkins because they were like family. I knew my father was in the best possible hands. I requested Farris because she is very professional, caring, and kind. My first initial visit was exactly what I expected. After that everything fell apart and I knew that this was not Farris work. 1. After I signed the contract, we walked over to visit a possible site for the repast. When I walked in their newly built event center, I knew it was the perfect place. I told them I wanted it for the repast. Wednesday, after I dropped my dad’s clothes off, I found out that they never booked me for the center. So I started panicking. Thank God a witness was present who knew I had asked for the event center. After a lengthy conversation, I was promised everything would be taken care of and I was told I would not have to pay for the center. Well guess what I had to pay for the center. 2. When they came to pick the family up for the services the car was not presentable. Trash was everywhere like a party had been thrown the day before. No one checked the car. 3. On the way to my dad’s services, I received a phone call from the air force that my dad was at the cemetery. I told the gentlemen on the phone that my dad was not at the cemetery because we were on the way to his services. They were about to place someone else in my dad’s tomb. It was a nightmare. When I finally reached my dad’s funeral they had a pastor who was not authorized by me to be a part of my dad’s services. I was over it! To top it off Farris was on vacation and I knew her hand was not in this. She would have never allowed this fiasco to happen. In the end, my dad services was beautiful despite all the obstacles and Willie Watkins pulled it together. Never stop making your appearances Mr. Watkins. It made all the difference. Farris you are a gem and we love you! My suggestion to Farris, have a team who can function when you are not present. The beautiful, awesome, and amazing person you had over us that day, we loved her. She took very good care of us! Yes, I would still entrust my loved one to Willie Watkins because they are like family!

The Willie A Watkins Funeral Home provided excellent service in the arrangements for my Grandmother, Bertha Jackson. The care, attention to detail and compassion shown us went above and beyond our expectations. "Where the name is service" is woven into every aspect of each employee. No words can truly express our thanks and appreciation during our hour of bereavement.