In 125 years of serving families, we’ve learned that while the experience of loss is universal, there’s no one way to grieve, no single way to remember someone, and no two families are exactly alike. We’ve also learned the importance of listening and being willing to change to meet families’ evolving needs and expectations. At Roper & Sons Funeral Home, we’ve continually adapted to meet those needs—creating new options for families to gather and remember, using technology to bring people together, and offering resources and education to support them beyond funeral services. While our traditions remain important to us, so does making room for change.
After 125 years, the trust families have placed in us generation after generation is what means the most to us. Having the privilege of caring for grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren within the same families is what makes our work meaningful.”
–Tom Roper, Co-owner of Roper & Sons
Creating Space for More Personal Remembrances
Today, families have more options for honoring loved ones, from traditional funerals and cremation to more informal services. More and more families are looking for ways to gather, like a Celebration of Life service, where they can fully personalize the experience that reflects their loved one’s unique wishes. From outdoor settings and favorite locations to special foods and music, families are investing in what matters most, making the gathering feel authentic to the person they are remembering and the people who loved them. Our funeral directors are here to listen, offer guidance, and help families create a service that feels right for them.
Connecting People
As livestreaming funeral services became more common in the late 2000s, Roper & Sons saw how it could help families stay connected when they couldn’t be together in person. We embraced the technology early and led the way in Lincoln. For many families, livestreaming has allowed loved ones to experience services from afar. We also understand that family and friends aren’t always available to watch a service live. That’s why we make recordings available afterward, giving loved ones another opportunity to watch and feel connected.
For many years, Roper & Sons has offered educational opportunities and community events to help people prepare for important decisions and navigate difficult seasons of life, such as preplanning lunches, grief counseling sessions, estate planning seminars, Blue Christmas services, and more.
Being a funeral home means caring for families when they need us most, but it also means being a resource for our community,” said Dean Schneider, Co-owner of Roper & Sons. “Sometimes that’s helping someone understand their options before a loss or creating a place where people can gather, learn, or find comfort.”
–Dean Schneider, Co-owner of Roper & Sons
Finding Ways to Make Services Manageable
We understand that every family has different needs, including financial considerations. Saying goodbye to someone you love shouldn’t mean choosing between honoring them and staying within your budget. Whether you’re considering a traditional funeral, cremation, or a Celebration of Life, our funeral directors take the time to listen, understand what matters most to your family, and help you explore options that best fit your circumstances. We’re here to offer suggestions and talk through ways to make a service meaningful while being mindful of the costs.
Preplanning a funeral ahead of time is another way we help families feel more prepared, both emotionally and financially. For many years, Roper & Sons has offered free Lunch and Learn seminars about preplanning to help families make their wishes known, get answers to their questions, and ease the financial burden on loved ones in the future. It’s peace of mind now and in the future.
Listening and Evolving
Listening to families means being willing to grow and change with them. What families needed a generation ago may look different today. We’re committed to evolving with families, caring for people with respect and understanding while continuing to find new ways to serve them.
At the heart of everything we do is our belief that every life is worth remembering, and every family deserves the opportunity to remember in a way that feels right for them. We’re honored to have helped families create meaningful memories over the past 125 years.
Supporting Families in the Future
As we look to the future, our commitment remains the same: to be here for families, offering guidance and compassionate support whenever they need us. One thing that hasn’t changed over the past 125 years is our commitment to being there for families during difficult times. As our community’s needs evolve, we will continue to find meaningful ways to serve families long after the funeral service is over.
As we look forward to the next 125 years, we will continue listening, learning, and supporting families along the way.