Family remains the heart of Ford and Sons Funeral Home

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Ford and Sons is planning new construction and a new addition to the Mausoleum at Memorial Park and will develop a scattering garden for those who choose cremation.

As the phrase "and sons" indicates, Ford and Sons Funeral Home began as a family business.

Josh Ford is the newest addition and the fourth generation of Fords in the business, making Ford and Sons just as much a family operation today as it was when it was established by Walter "Doc" Ford in 1949.

Josh says that the Fords run the business according to the philosophy of his great-grandfather "Doc" Ford, who said, "Our family focus is on offering personalized service. It's why our motto is 'Our Family Serving Your Family.'"

Josh Ford's great-grandfather's words shape the way the business is run today. It is thanks to the commitment of the firm's employees and their families that the business is able to live up to the high standards that Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area has come to expect and deserve.

"Our focus has always been on service for the greater Cape Girardeau area and on constantly striving to innovate and improve our service to the people of this region," Josh said.

Josh is learning to run the business along with his father Kevin and his uncle Cliff. Both Cliff and Kevin are sons of Walter J. Ford, who bought the business in 1953 and remains involved today.

Ford and Sons offers a full line of funeral services and has been a leader in cremation services for over 50 years. Families in their time of need have three Ford and Sons facilities to serve them, at 1001 N. Mount Auburn Road and 118 S. Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau and at 235 Highway 61 North. in Benton, Mo.

In addition to the three locations for funeral services, Ford and Sons also are owners of Memorial Park Cemetery and Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau. Josh Ford said the family is committed to offering more and better services to families, and that will be reflected in improvements at Memorial Park soon.

"We are planning new construction, addition to the Mausoleum at Memorial Park, and to fully develop our new scattering garden for those who choose cremation," Ford said. Ford and Sons not only offers burial spaces at Memorial Park, but they can also assist families with their selection of the appropriate monument.

"Many people are surprised to learn that we handle a full line of granite monuments, benches and statuary that can be engraved or even personalized with photographs," Josh said, adding that bronze plaque memorials are also available.

Families who are concerned about the condition of older monuments can also benefit from the services of Ford and Sons. "We also offer cemetery restoration service for monuments and memorials that may be in need of repair," Josh said. "Our families can rely on us to provide all that they need in their time of need."

Prearrangement has become more prevalent at Ford and Sons, with the advantage of the funeral costs being frozen at today's prices. Donny Ford, prearrangement consultant or the funeral home, works with families who choose to insure that financial advantage and peace of mind.

Pam Phanstiel, who can also assist with preplanning, specializes in aftercare and follow-up services, such as monuments and markers, insurance and veteran's issues, and any questions the family may have after the service.

Ford and Sons is proud of its recent designation as the area's exclusive certified Veterans and Family Memorial Care Provider. As a national network member of VFMC providers, Ford and Sons has developed special funeral packages for veterans and their spouses.