Reviews of Paperman & Sons (Mortuary)

stefbrownonpointe

My experience with Papermans & Sons when my father passed away started out as well as can be expected in such situations, but ended up being (mostly) a litany of blunders in terms of quality of service. All I can say is that it's a real shame that they have a monopoly on Jewish funerals in Montreal, because not only are their charges astronomical (not all Jewish people are rich!), but in my family's case it really felt like they have become complacent because of it. When dad died, a friend recommended that I speak to one particular funeral director, which I did. That person was wonderfully helpful and sympathetic in my initial phone call and subsequent meeting. Fast forward 24 hours to the funeral... Our original funeral director got stuck in traffic and so another funeral director who we'd never met (to be known as The Grim Reaper) stepped in. Issues with The Grim Reaper: • Their general demeanour was dour, uncaring and their handling of a credit card payment glitch 10 minutes before the funeral (and my delivery of the main eulogy) was completely insensitive to say the least. Did I mention that all funeral+burial+rabbi costs need to paid up front before the funeral can proceed? With Jewish funerals usually happening within 24 hours of the person's death, who actually has immediate access to more than $15,000 so quickly? • No one from Papermans came to my rescue when I was stuck with the Rabbi for at least 15 minutes before the funeral (maybe more) - he was trying to ‘bully/guilt me’ into calling someone then and there to pay them to do daily yahrzeit. In the end, I had to summon up all my own personal strength and tell him that if he persisted in this line of enquiry I wouldn’t be responsible for my actions. I guess he could see I wasn't joking and he desisted. Not only was this distressing for me, but it meant that I was not able to be by my mother's side in the family room to meet and greet visitors before the funeral. Surely it’s the job of the funeral director to look after the mourners and ensure that they are in as least distress as possible during what is such a difficult time? • After the funeral (which wasn’t running late) we were hustled into the limos to go to the burial so fast that there was zero opportunity to speak to anyone that came to pay their respects. • The above points also meant my mother didn’t have me by her side in the family room for about 30 minutes before the funeral AND many out of towners who came only for the funeral didn’t have the opportunity to speak with me at all as they needed to turn around and drive back to Toronto, Ottawa, etc. What happened next? I spoke to our original funeral director to voice my discontent about all this a week later. The Grim Reaper then called me to apologise, however I said they needed to apologise to my mother through a letter, which they agreed to do. More than 2 weeks after that, she had still not received a letter. This lack of promised action even further exacerbated and inflamed an already fraught situation. I had to chase them about this - and I implied that they should do something beyond just a letter. Given Papermans lack of action I would also expect some kind of olive branch from them - I left it to them to determine what cost such pain inflicted on a family during their time of mourning is worth. One day later we did receive a letter of apology and note to say that Papermans made a donation in my father's name to our charity of choice. Finally. However, this whole thing has left a very bitter taste in our mouths. One final positive note - the after care was truly exceptional and I can't fault that. The person I dealt with truly went above and beyond and I thank her for that. Would I use Papermans again? Unfortunately, I really have no choice in the matter due to their monopoly. But if I could go to someone else, I most certainly would.

Angelo Palermo

Beautiful decor and a beautiful place for the dearly departed.

Itsik Romano

There are no words to describe the compassion, care and devotion of the Paperman family while dealing with the most difficult moments in our lives. From the first call when the terrible news broke out, Ross, Earl and crew were there, with us, taking us through the journey of departure of a loved one. We put our trust in the hands of the professionals and we never looked back. That's the only way to be taken care of during these hard days when all you want is a piece of mind knowing that you're in great hands of care, while you and your family are preparing for the days after the funeral. We say thank you for how privileged and lucky we are to experience the greatness of Paperman and Sons funeral services in the most difficult time of our lives to date.

Eyal Simon

Its a funeral home. So not much to say... its a sad place to review. But a nice and respectful place. Cozy and comforting for the family.

Beth B

Lynda Shayer is an excellent funeral director. However, some of the older male directors are less comfortable with liberal Judaism or with LGBTQ family members

Sam Totah (montrealsam)

#venividivici187 Part of life rather the final destination! A contact with paperman official and hopefully you will be assured. Large parking area just behind the main building and visitors will not have to worry. Clean and spacy, attractive salons to accommodate close relatives who have come to offer condolences and respect. Well organized to offer assistance in one's different & difficult moment!

Michael Nehemia

There are absolutely no words to describe my appreciation to Ross Paperman and the entire staff at Paperman & Son’s for their professionalism, organization, and most importantly for their compassion. When each of my grandparents passed away they made a hard time as simple as it could have been, and for that I am eternally grateful. The genuine care and love they showed my family and I during such a difficult time in our lives was nothing short of exceptional.

Robert Iny

Paperman conducted the funeral of both my parents. The service and handling of funerals was compassionate, caring and supportive and Ross Paperman was there every step of the way to help me through the difficult times. He is a mensh!

Jessica Sinyor

Losing my husband at such a young age was nothing but tragic. The kindness and compassion Ross showed made the experience as pleasant as possible. He really went the extra mile and the guidance he provided in dealing with my young children was exceptional. I was also extremely comforted by the aftercare service provided by Sharon. All in all, great professional service.

Jacque Moron

God

Maly Pejsek

Overpriced and family is pressured to pay a huge amount of money on the spot. Terrible!

Henry Szikman

We a spec gymtrtgv

Allan Sanders

Service and staff was on the ball when I arrange my Father's funeral

bob

Although it was over 15 years ago, I will never forget my experience with them. I was overcome with grief and could not be bothered to dress up, wear makeup,etc. One of the Papermans (don't remember which) gave us the religious rules for the period until the funeral, including no wearing of makeup. Paperman turned to me and said "But i guess that's not a problem for you", and then continued on to suggest that I must be a lesbian. Not that there's anything wrong with lesbians, but I'm not. He seemed to be obsessed by the fact that I wasn't wearing makeup. The funeral service at the cemetery was rushed, and it took me years to overcome the fact that my family member had been given short shrift and sort of just dumped in the ground.

Patricia Rachel

It's very unfortunate that there is only one funeral home for Jews in Montreal. We recently buried my father graveside. A "Mr. Paperman" called me over to get a black scarf so that it may be cut. He asked me to stand to the side, then came back a short time later, stating that he wanted the scarf back, as I was "not a real" daughter. Though true that I had been adopted by my step dad, just shy of 50 years ago by the man who married my mother, it's unfathomable to me that a funeral director would do such thing. Though I live in another city and don't have guardianship, I honored my father in more ways then many biological children honor their parents. Shame on Paperman's

Glen Bernstein

When I went with my mother to Paperman's in 2014 to make pre-arrangements, something my mother wanted to do then, we were treated well, respectfully and professionally by Allan Mones of Paperman's who I remember guided my mother and I through everything, much to my mother's satisfaction at the time. Sadly, my 91 year old mother passed away two weeks ago, and I immediately called Paperman's to advise them. Allan took charge of all the arrangements, including getting my mother's body back to Montreal from Florida, where she passed away, and which was quite complicated in this COVID era, even though she did not pass away from COVID. Allan kept in regular contact with me, something I greatly appreciated, and updated me whenever he had new information regarding both the repatriation of her body and the funeral itself which we just had. As well, he recommended an excellent Rabbi for the service and a good videographer who put the funeral on Zoom so that people out of town could watch. A million thank you's to Allan and Paperman's for making such a difficult situation all that much easier to cope with. I felt like I had a friend guiding me through the process every step of the way, and the funeral went as smoothly as a funeral can be, as Paperman's had everything perfectly organized. I am so thankful that everything was taken care of such that I did not have to deal with any issues regarding her funeral and burial, and that Allan was there to answer any questions I had. As well, Sharon from Paperman's aftercare department reached out to me to help me with government and other matters that needed to be addressed, and I am very grateful for the excellent help that Sharon provided. Most importantly, as much as I miss her, my mother is at peace now and not suffering.

Stacia Rubinovich

Papermans conducted the funerals of both my beloved parents and yesterday, we buried my beloved mother-in-law. On each occasion, they treated me with kindness, compassion and respect. Despite having a cortisol monopoly on Jewish funerals in Montreal, they always provide exceptional service. I would highly recommend them.