Resources
We strive to provide unmatched service to your family and guests. We believe that responsibility begins before you experience a loss, continues during your loved one's services and as you make your way through grief toward finding joy again. As a courtesy, we have listed below the names and phone numbers of area agencies and businesses whose services you may require during your time of loss.
Benefit Offices & Resource Centers
Support Groups & Internet Resources
Piasecki-Althaus Grief Support Library & Recommended Resources
Benefit Offices & Resource Centers
Kenosha County Division of Aging & Disability Services
Formerly Center for Aging & Long Term Care
8600 Sheridan Rd., Suiete 500
Kenosha, WI
Tel: 262-605-6646
Visit their website!
Racine County Human Services Department: Aging & Elderly Services
1717 Taylor Ave
Racine, WI 53403
262-638-6800
Visit their website!
Kenosha Area Family & Aging Services, Inc.
7730 Sheridan Road
Kenosha, WI 53143
262-658-3508
Visit their website!
Social Security Administration
5624 6th Ave.
Kenosha, WI
Tel: 656-7844
Toll-free: 800-772-1213
Visit their website!
Department of Veterans Affairs
8600 Sheridan Rd. - Ste. 700
Kenosha, WI
Tel: 605-6690
Visit their website!
Department of Veterans Affairs, Burials & Memorials
All Saints Cemetery
3300 Springbrook Rd.
Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
Tel: 262-694-2040
Green Ridge Cemetery & Crematory
6604 7th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53143-5100
Tel: 262-652-1631
St. Casimir's Cemetery
3308 47th Street
Kenosha, WI 53171
Tel: 262-657-3442
St. George Cemetery
2909 Sheridan Rd.
Kenosha, WI 53140-4021
Tel: 262-657-3442
Southern Wisconsin Veterans' Memorial Cemetery
21731 Spring St.
Union Grove, WI 53182
Tel: 262-878-5660
Sunset Ridge Memorial Park
6211 38th St.
Kenosha, WI 53144
Tel: 262-654-5336
Aiello Mid-Town Florist
2108 52nd Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
Tel: 262-658-3551
Visit their website!
Flowers by Joseph
4437 22nd Ave
Kenosha, WI 53140
Tel: 262-654-0774
Flowers by Spiegelhoffs
3401 80th Street
Kenosha, WI 53142
Tel: 262-694-6878
Flowers With Love
7509 22nd Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53143
Tel: 262-657-1118
Kenosha Floral
6814 39th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53142
Tel: 262-942-7673
Visit their website!
Nudi's Touch of Class Floral
7901 39th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53142
Tel: 262-694-6833
Strobbe's Flower Cart
2913 Roosevelt Rd.
Kenosha, WI 53143
Tel: 262-657-3448
Visit their website!
A Summer's Garden Florist
5617 6th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53140
Tel: 262-657-7673
Visit their website!
Sunnyside Florist of Kenosha
3021 75th Street
Kenosha, WI 53142
Tel: 262-694-6700
Visit their website!
Best Western - Harborside Inn & Kenosha Conference Center
5125 6th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
Tel: 262-658-3281
Best Western Executive Inn
7220 122nd Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
Tel: 262-857-7699
Country Inn & Suites by Carlson
7011 122nd Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53142
Tel: 262-857-3680
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
7887 94th Avenue
Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
Tel: 262-942-6000
La Quinta Inn
7540 118th Avenue
Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
Tel: 262-857-7911
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Kenosha
11800 108th Street
Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
Tel: 262-857-3377
Super 8 Motel
7601 118th Avenue
Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
Tel: 262-857-7963
Boat House Pub & Eatery
4917 7th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
Tel: 262-654-9922
Visit their website!
View their menu!
Casa Capri Italian Restaurant
2129 Birch Road
Kenosha, WI 53140
Tel: 262-551-7171
View their website!
Eagle Inn On The Lake
3101 Eagle Road
Kansasville, WI 53139
Tel: 262-551-0600
View their website!
Fireside Restaurant & Lounge
2801 30th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
View their menu!
House of Gerhard
3927 75th Street
Kenosha, WI 53142
Tel: 262-694-5212
View their website!
The Italian-American Club
2217 52nd Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
Tel: 262-551-0600
The Kemper Center
6501 3rd Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53143
Tel: 262-657-6005
Jantz's Club - Pautz's Catering
2604 Washington Rd.
Kenosha, WI 53144
Tel: 262-657-0856
Polish Legion of American Veterans (P.L.A.V.)
4902 7th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53144
Tel: 262-551-9903 (for hall rental/catering)
Parkway Chateau
12304 75th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
Tel: 262-857-2011
Unity Lodge
4320 Washington Rd.
Kenosha, WI 53144
Tel: 262-657-5575
Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.) - Junker Ball Post 1865
6618 39th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
Tel: 262-652-2751
Support Groups & Internet Resources
Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home Grief Support Group
Meetings are the first and third Saturdays of the month, beginning at 9:00 A.M., at the Piasecki-Althaus Family Services Center, 2002 52nd St., Kenosha, WI 53140. Please call 262-658-4101 for more information.
Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home Survivors of Suicide Support Group
Please join us as we launch new curriculum and a new format in 2010! Meetings are the second Tuesday of every month, beginning at 7:00 P.M., at the Piasecki-Althaus Family Services Center, 2002 52nd St., Kenosha, WI 53140. Please call 262-658-4101 for more information, including a calendar of meeting topics.
Hospice Alliance, Inc. Grief Recovery Support Group
The Grief Recovery Support Group meets in six week increments at the Hospice Alliance, Inc. offices.
There are no remaining dates in 2009. Meetings will resume January 15, 2010. Please call (262)652-4400 to register.
Hospice Alliance, Inc. Social Support Group
A Social Support group meets monthly for lunch and informal conversation. Contact our bereavement department for times and locations. Visit Hospice Alliance, Inc. for more information on Hospice Alliance, Inc. sponsored support groups. Read the Hospice Alliance, Inc. newsletter!
MargaretAnn's Place
MargaretAnn's Place is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to serving the distinctive needs of grieving children through peer support and education groups throughout the Milwaukee/Waukesha and Kenosha/Racine areas. Visit MargaretAnn's Place for more information on MargaretAnn's Place sponsored support groups, outreach and education.
The Compassionate Friends - Racine Chapter
A mutual self-help group welcoming all bereaved parents, no matter their child's age, religion or cause of death meeting the last Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. Wheaton Franciscan (All Saints), 3801 Spring St., Racine, WI 53405 - lower level.
Contact Peg Rousar-Thompson for more information at 262-598-0834 or gravewords@yahoo.com.
A Gathering of Angels
Supportive mothers who have lost an infant or young child due to stillbirth, miscarrige, accident or illness finding creative outlets for grief through personal expression and community activities. For more information contact:
Ann Colwell 262-639-3099
Peg Rousar-Thompson 262-598-0834
Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin Hospice
The Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin Hospice has a six week "Coping With Grief" series which meets at Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha. Start dates are staggered throughout the year. In addition, they support a variety of support groups, including a men's breakfast grief support group. For more information, please contact Harry Carlson at 262-249-5860.
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Center For Loss And Life Transition: dedicated to "companioning" grieving people as they mourn transitions and losses that transform their lives
AARP Grief & Loss Program: a collection of resources and an online support community
National SIDS and Infant Death Program Support Center: providing reserach, education, and support for families dealing with SIDS
The Infant Death Center of Wisconsin: working together to improve infant health. (Funded by Children's Hospital of Wisconsin)
The Compassionate Friends: supporting families who have experienced the death of a child
SHARE Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support: providing support to those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a baby through early pregnancy loss, stillbirth or newborn death
The John Paul II Center of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: lifelong faith and ministry formation. See bereavement minstry.
Growth House: a collection of resources on life-threatening illness and end of life care
GROWW: bereavement resources and online support groups via secure chat rooms
WidowNet: an information and support resource for and by widows and widowers
Is there anything I should avoid saying?
What actually happens during embalming or cremation?
Can you give me the address or phone number of a family member?
Many of us put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to say the "right thing" to someone who is mourning. Though we may feel helpless in relieving the pain of loss, we can rest assured that there is no one "right thing" to say. Most often, any kind word or gesture is appreciated.
Saying "I'm sorry for your loss" and "Please accept my sympathies" are appropriate. In addition, acknowledging your own feelings, may help you feel more comfortable conveying your condolences, e.g. "I'm so shocked and sad, and I feel so awkward saying this, but I just want you to know we're thinking about you."
If it is easier for you to deliver your message in a card or letter, that is also appropriate.
You may want to share stories and memories about the deceased. In our experience, visitations and funeral luncheons may have their tearful moments, but they are often full of laughter as family and friends gather to tell their favorite stories
While we often extend a well-intended "If there's anything I can do, let me know," it is even more helpful to offer specific support such as:
- Offering to make phone calls to notify family and friends of funeral arrangements
- Offering to arrange for transportation for out of town visitors
- Offering to cook and/or deliver meals for the family or extend a dinner invitation
- Offering to provide child care
- Offering to run an errand or help with household tasks
Most importantly, ask questions and listen. Your compassionate ear may mean more than anything you say, and you may never know the gift that truly listening is to someone.
Is there anything I should avoid saying?
Cliches are not helpful.
Unsure of what to say, we may try to comfort survivors with a well-meaning words, e.g. "Time will heal your pain," "You need to be strong for the children," or "God must have needed him/her in heaven." While we may mean these expressions to be soothing, they often do more harm than good. This is especially true with children.
Be mindful that grief is varying and personal, and no two experiences with loss - even if circumstances are similar - are exactly the same. Avoid saying, "I know just how you feel."
Families elect various ways of honoring their loved ones when they die, and there is often more than one opportunity to pay your respects following a death. You may choose to participate in a way that feels natural to you, for exampe:
- Attend a visitation or service. This will both support you in accepting the reality of the loss and support the deceased's bereaved family and friends. You may also find comfort in sharing your own feelings with other mourners or in participating in religious ceremonies or traditions.
- Sign the register book, leave/send a sympathy card, make a phone call or send a plant or flowers. This both allows you to convey your condolences, connects you to a community of mourners and provides the family a means to contact you to thank you for your kind words.
- Make a memorial contribution in the deceased's name to a charity of your choosing or one that the bereaved family designates.
- Be creative! If you have the desire to commemorate the deceased through your gift of words, music, or visual arts, we encourage you to do so! Using your chosen art form to honor the deceased may prove to be cathartic for you, as well as touching for the recipient.
If you feel nervous or awkward going to the funeral home, attending services, or unsure of what to say to the bereaved, please know you're not alone. Our staff is here to make you feel comfortable and answer any questions you may have. Though you may be experiencing your own "funeral anxiety," please know that grieving families often comment that "It's the worst" when people avoid them, for lack of what to say or do.
We encourage you to acknowledge the loss in some way, for your benefit, as well as the survivors.
Traditionally, visitations and funeral services are more formal occasions, and you are likely familiar with images of mourners in all black attire. Not everyone is comfortable with that, however, and given the personality of the deceased or your relationship to the deceased, that may not make sense. Use your best judgment and wear what is both comfortable for you and honors the deceased. Out of respect for our families, all Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home staff will wear professional dress whenever we are in service.
Can you give me the address or phone number of a family member?
In accordance with privacy laws, we are unable to give out personal information about any family, even to co-workers, neighbors and friends. We will support you in relaying any message, though, by taking your information and passing it on to whomever you designate. You may also send cards to the family c/o the funeral home and we will be sure it is delivered to your intended recipient.
What actually happens during embalming or cremation?
Both embalming and cremations are technical processes, but there's no secret about what happens. We are happy to explain each procedure to whatever level of detail you require. We also have many resources at the funeral home that will support you in answering those same questions for children.
Please email or call us if you have any questions whatsoever. We enjoy what we do and would be happy to address any concerns or answer any questions you may have on any topic relating to funeral service.
