Barnett Family Funeral Home

I talked, by phone, with Gus Barnett, three times to make arrangements for my father’s graveside service. We asked for a tent and a chairs and a small table to place the urn and flag on, set the date and time, went over the fees to be paid, made an appointment for my mom to pick out a headstone. Gus asked if my dad had served in the military. I said yes, national guard. Gus asked if he served “active”, I said no. Gus explained the differences in what my dad would be eligible for as far as headstones, taps, flags, etc. he assured me he would take care of everything. Fast forward to the day of my dad’s service. My mom and brother arrived at the funeral home at the appointed time to choose a headstone. At this time they find out that the son—-who they met with, had nothing except the date and time on the calendar for the service. The son was unaware of any other details. My brother called me and I talked with younger Mr Barnett and now, with less than 2 hours before the service, I demanded that there be a tent and chairs and that they figure out how there was going to be the army honor guard——-since they did not arrange for that also. We arrived at the cemetery, and yes the Barnetts got the tent and chairs set up in time, no honor guard, a tap recording of Taps. So, my mom paid the bill in full, but this funeral home caused much anquish and pain, after they assured us ALL would be taken care of. Obviously the son and father failed to communicate, someone did not do their job regarding contacting the army and I know he had the correct discharge numbers——because the funeral home in my parents hometown prepared my dad. All in all———just a horrible experience for our entire and extended family.

Gus has done several of my loved ones service. He is always caring and extremely respectful. Makes the process as painless as possible. Thanks Gus

Gus has been truly incredible though this process. It’s rare to find his level of earnest compassion. Even after services were complete, he helped me with getting my mother’s obituary in the paper on a deadline. I cannot thank him enough.

My dear friends are on the way as we speak to attend her father's burial service. Sadly NOTHING is ready. You did not contact the military, so no military honors will be provided; no tent is set up and no chairs set up. The service is an hour away. The pain this has caused their family cannot be taken away.

Gus, Jake and Cathy were incredible, as was the rest of their staff. They handled my father's funeral with love, kindness and true compassion. And just the right touch of gentle humor when the family needed it. I don't think they make better funeral homes than the Barnett Family. Well worth the trip to Oskaloosa.

Absolutely the worst company. And maybe the worst people I’ve ever met in my life. I will sum it up like this. The younger owner, treated my grandmother casket with so much disrespect. They didn’t seal it properly and there were large scratches on both and when it was brought to his attention he looked my aunt and I dead in the eye and said it wasn’t his problem, because it wasn’t his casket. We would’ve bought it from them but they refused to find the caskets we wanted, so we bought beautiful and amazing caskets online for a fourth the price. And because they didn’t have what my mother wanted, they made her feel awful about wanting something patriotic for my veteran grandfather and something with pink roses for my lovey grandmother. Wouldn’t you want everything to be perfect if you lost your mom and dad? After find the perfect caskets online, she had them delivered there, but they wouldn’t unbox it because it wasn’t theirs. Not only that but they were ugly on the phone and made my mother feel even more stressed in this time of grief. They could have been nice about it, said they couldn’t for legal reason. But no, they made my mom feel horrible about not buying the casket with them. And on another note, upon strict instruction to make it a closed casket viewing, my family walked into mourn... with the caskets side open. And then I overheard him getting mad because it wasn’t his problem, as he begrudgingly fixed the caskets in front of me and my sister. I was appalled, obviously, from all aspects. How is it that anything I said remotely okay... We lost both my grandfather and grandmother... and my family was in so much pain. To be treated so disrespectfully, and to be brushed off like that. It’s unforgivable. If you’re reading this, chances are you lost someone you loved. And I am so sorry, I know this my be so hard on you. So I urge you to think about your mom, dad, grandmother, grandfather, sister, brother, son or daughter.... anyone you love. And think... how would you want them to be treated? I’ve put below a picture of the boy who did all these things. And treated my family the way he did.

The Barnett family loved and support us at the death of our mother as if we are a part of their family. Such great attention and thoughtfulness to every detail. Thank you so much.

Gas in his staff treated me with high respects when my husband passed away and the service was excellent for it being a October cold rainy day

They take care of the families and make sure everything is in order to best of their ability.

Beautiful service for my grandma. Full of love and felt like an extension of family.