French Funerals & Cremations

Every need was met with kindness every time one of us reached out. The after care service offered valuable information that a family in grief might overlook.

I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude to Giovanni Baca for the care he showed my family during a very challenging time. He is a kind, warm human being who helped my family weather some dark days. I hope he knows how appreciated he is to those he helps. Thank you, Giovanni, truly.

It has taken me over two years to find the words, but I want to sincerely express my gratitude to French Funerals, and especially to Giovanni Baca, our assigned funeral director. When my husband passed away at the age of 45, I had no prior experience with funerals and was unprepared for the many decisions that followed. From my very first interaction, Giovanni and his team provided a level of professionalism, compassion, and care that was truly reassuring. From the two young ladies who came to respectfully and professionally retrieve my husband from our home, to the service I arranged six months later while planning to spread his ashes internationally, every step of the process was handled with dignity and meticulous attention. Their professionalism and high level of respect gave me confidence that my husband was in capable hands. Giovanni guided me through every detail with patience and empathy, presenting all options clearly without ever pressuring me. He ensured I felt supported during a time that was already overwhelming, and his compassionate approach made an incredibly difficult process more manageable. Months later, when I required documentation to transport my husband’s ashes internationally, Giovanni personally delivered the necessary documents after hours to ensure there were no delays. His dedication and kindness during the most challenging period of my life will always be remembered. I am profoundly grateful to Giovanni and the entire team at French Funerals for their professionalism, care, and humanity. Their support provided comfort and reassurance during a time of immense grief.

French has been super helpful in the unexpected passing of our mother. From Hannah, who helped us make arrangements over the weekend for a quick burial (and also came to the grave and helped on the day of the funeral), to Giovanni, who was our primary funeral director, (setting up the contract, going over options and paperwork) and Kathy with Aftercare - everyone was super helpful and great to work with. Aftercare is a service provided by French at no extra cost. It has been unbelievably helpful in getting our mom’s affairs in order. They helped us locate all her outstanding accounts through a credit check. They also provide detailed instructions on all the steps you need to take after your loved one’s passing. There’s so much to do, but it’s great having one place to look for everything you need.

My experience with French Funerals & Cremations has been the best by far of the many funerals I have attended in general, and of the 7 family funeral/memorials I have directly participated in (providing eulogies for 6). My family has worked with French since 1983, and my grandfather was friends with Chester French (the original founding owner) until Chester's passing in 1966. In fact, my grandfather drove hearses to and from Santa Fe for French during the 1980's. The University facility is the perfect venue for a funeral/memorial, especially if the burial or entombment is to be held at Sunset Memorial Park. The French staff was very helpful, courteous and professional. The funeral director and manger were great, and the officiate that they recommended was fantastic. Again, one of the very best experiences I have ever had during such an occasion. I will point out that there was a glitch in scheduling that caused concern, but the funeral director, the facility manager and even the owners were quick to resolve the issue to my extreme satisfaction. The post-funeral support has also been spectacular, albeit unexpected. I think this, and the overall experience, makes French shine far above other facilities in Albuquerque, where I have previously experienced only very basically cookie-cutter, average service. I would strongly recommend French above all other facilities in Albuquerque, and will use them again if and when the need arises in the future.