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Cole Funeral Chapel is a family-owned funeral home committed to caring for your family.   An independent funeral home in Chelsea, Michigan, our mission is to meet your needs whatever they may be. We provide a wide range of services, from sitting down with you to discuss future needs to grief counseling after the death of a loved one.
 
Our funeral home was founded in 1898, and was purchased by Donald Cole in 1977.  His son, Allen, bought the funeral home from his father in 1999, continuing the tradition of service to the Chelsea area.
 
We know that making funeral arrangements can be difficult, so let us help you every step of the way.  We have a professional staff equipped with many resources that can provide assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Please feel free to call anytime, or e-mail us at staff @ ColeFuneralChapel.com

There are many benefits to planning your funeral services in advance:

TOGETHERNESS: You can openly share your desires and wishes, and listen to input from your extended family.  Nobody is left wondering what you would have wanted.

NO PRESSURE: When pre-planning a funeral, there is plenty of time to consider the options and make careful, thoughtful decisions.  You can choose a gravesite on a warm, sunny day, think about which casket or urn you would like, and revise the obituary until it is perfect.  

CONSIDER THE COSTS: Pre-planning lets you compare costs, and decide what services and merchandise will best suit your circumstances.  You can get an estimate, take it home, and think about it before making a final decision.

PAYMENTS:  You can make payments on a pre-arranged funeral, with no interest charges. Some families have difficulty coming up with the financial resources at the time of a death.

PRE-PAID FUNDS ARE PROTECTED: If set up properly, pre-paid funerals are not counted as assets when the owner applies for medicaid.  Even if medicaid is not needed, most of our pre-paid funerals are guaranteed, meaning your family gets the goods and services you purchased at no additional expense.  In short, pre-payments allow you to freeze the costs at today’s prices.

PEACE OF MIND: When a death occurs in any family the grief is tremendous and the healing takes time.  Most people feel good knowing that everything is prepared in advance, and the survivors will not be struggling to make difficult decisions while under stress.

 

You have two choices: Plan ahead, or wait until death forces you to make arrangements. 

If you choose to plan ahead, whether you want to pre-pay or not, please call or e-mail us today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We offer choices in cremation service, including:

  • direct cremation with no services
  • cremation followed by a memorial service or visitation time
  • a complete viewing and funeral followed by cremation

We want to help your family choose services that fit your needs. We will walk you through your options without pressuring you, and we will help you to compare the costs of different options.  Regardless of your choice, we will treat your loved one with respect, we will help you write and place obituaries, we will obtain death certificates promptly, and help you chose the final resting place for your loved one's ashes.  We will not try to sell you services or merchandise you do not need.

 

Standard Cremation Package

Cremation with Public Viewing & Funeral

Cremation Packages - Price list

 

Read more: Cremation Services

 

A funeral is the traditional way to recognize the death of a loved one. The many customs and traditions that have been accepted for so long exist for a reason. Funerals have been a means of expressing our beliefs, thoughts and feelings about the death of someone we love.

The funeral ceremony is important because it:

  • helps us acknowledge that someone we love has died and allows us to say goodbye in a safe environment
  • provides an opportunity for friends and family to support one another
  • allows us to share memories and consider what that person has meant to us
  • allows us to reflect on the meaning of life and death
  • offers hope for the living

 

We believe in the value of a traditional funeral, but each funeral should be unique, because it celebrates the life and beliefs of a unique person.  At Cole Funeral Chapel, we want to celebrate a special life with:

Read more: Funeral Services

Recent Obituaries

Gladys Steffens

of Chelsea, age 93, died Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Marycrest Manor in Livonia. She was born August 28, 1923 in Redford Township, the daughter of Fred and Annie (Hamblett) Watson. Gladys was a dedicated homemaker, farm wife and mother. She was an avid reader and decorating extraordinaire. Gladys enjoyed sewing and made her own clothes. She also enjoyed solving puzzles.

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Eunice B. White

died Sunday, July 16, 2017 at her home at the age of 95. She was born May 7, 1922 in Dexter, Michigan, the daughter of Watson and Erma (Thomas) Hart. 

Eunice graduated from Chelsea High School and was named Valedictorian of the class of 1940. Upon graduation from Cleary Business College in 1941, she embarked on a varied career, including working as the secretary to the Director of the YMCA, Ann Arbor, accounting at the University Hospital, Ann Arbor, executive secretary to five doctors at the Chelsea Medical Clinic, to office manager, executive secretary, and assistant Treasurer for Fortune Industries, Chelsea. In 1969, she was named to the roster of “Who’s Who of American Business Women”.

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Arthur N. “Art” Stoll

of Chelsea, MI, age 87, passed away Sunday, July 16, 2017 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Chelsea. He was born May 23, 1930 in Ann Arbor, the son of Arthur D. & Erma M. (Haarer) Stoll.  Art graduated from Dexter High School in 1948, and in 1949 he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia A. Pingston.  Art retired from Chrysler Proving Grounds in 1989 after 37 years of service.  He was a valued member of the community; his professional affiliations included active roles in the Lions Club, Chelsea Jaycees,  a volunteer at Waterloo Farm Museum, the Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch Masons, UAW local #1252, and a founding leader of Boy Scout Troop 420.   In retirement, his interests were as varied as his collection of quirky sayings. He spent many years boating on Cavanaugh Lake, enjoyed antiquing, and he made sure his yard remained pristine at all times. His greatest enjoyment came from the many relationships he cultivated and maintained throughout the Chelsea and Dexter communities.

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James Phillip Brown

age 56, passed away suddenly Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital .  He was born October 3, 1960 in Jackson, Michigan, the son of James R. & Beverly (Burmis) Brown. Jim lived in Chelsea most of his life and attended Chelsea High School. He worked at Pilot Industries in Dexter, then Pilot, known as Mantenrae, in Manchester. Jim also worked at William 145  truck stop in Jackson with his dad. Jim enjoyed drag racing and working on cars. He was liked and loved by everyone who he came in contact with.

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Mary J. (Thurow) Eschelbach

formerly of Ann Arbor, Dexter and Chelsea, age 93, died Monday, May 8, 2017 at Saline Evangelical Home. She was born March 27, 1924 in Springport, MI the daughter of George H. and Vera (Gregory).

Mary graduated from Springport High School in 1943. On June 10, 1945, she married Neil Alfred Eschelbach in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In addition to raising her four children, she was a seamstress, a bookkeeper at Everhardus, and later was the Office Manager for Dr. T.J. Spencer for 12 years. Mary was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, where she taught the children’s choir and Sunday School, and was a member of the adult choir. She was also a member of Ladies Aid and Charity Circle. Mary was an organist, pianist and loved playing music.

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