Community Announcements
Share what matters with neighbors — events, milestones, and local updates.
Recent Community News
Why Pre-Plan
Plan for the Day. Why it makes sense to make choices about your future funeral now. Here’s the truth: selecting a final resting place in advance makes a difficult time become solely about celebrating life and honoring who you are. The alternative is often confusion, disagreement and guesswork. So, it’s smart to make these choices now. That way they’re not made on your behalf, at an emotional moment. The benefits to your family will be real and appreciated, ranging from spiritual choices to financial assistance. From selecting an ideal permanent memorial, to designing the service, to paying in advance, you can make the day exactly as you imagine it. And your loved ones will know they’re fulfilling your wishes. Which is exactly how they should feel. Keep reading to learn more. Family matters. Your family is everything. So the last thing you’d want is to put them in a difficult position. A time of loss is a time of confusion, but your final arrangements don’t have to add to the uncertainty. Pre-planning your funeral services can save your loved ones from having to make decisions while they’re grieving. And they won’t have to guess what you’d want. Making pre-arrangements is the responsible thing to do. Instead of getting bogged down in details, your family will be able to focus on celebrating your life. Personal service. Funeral and burial services are an important part of the grieving process. For a lot of people, they provide a sense of closure. So the right kind of ceremony is essential. But it’s difficult to make the service as meaningful as it should be, in such a short amount of time. By making those plans now, including choosing songs and selecting readings, you’ll have the kind of service you want, for everyone you love. In addition, you can design a beautiful permanent memorial. That way, your family will have a dedicated place to reflect and remember. Financial relief. Funeral services are often an unexpected expense. But they don’t have to be. You can choose to fund your pre-arranged plans now, and the costs will be locked in for the future, even if prices for various services and products increase. You don’t have to pre-pay if you pre-plan, but it is the best way to take the financial burden off your family. So it’s definitely a smart option to consider. Also, please know that your payments and plans can be adjusted later, should your wishes change over time. So there’s nothing to regret by going through the process now. Your decisions don’t have to be final. Start Planning Now To start the pre-planning process, you can fill out our pre-planning form. Or feel free to reach us by phone any time, and one of our consultants will help guide you through every option. Start Pre-Planning More Resources Funeral FAQs Everything you need to know about funerals. Read More Grief Support How to truly support yourself and others at a time of grief. Read More Funeral Etiquette Let us guide you through the ins and outs of your funeral experience. Read More Local Resources Local resources for all your support and planning needs. Read More Sitemap
Funeral Questions
Funeral Questions | Lax Mortuary - Kankakee, IL Skip to content Funeral Questions Back to Resources Posted in: Funeral Questions Funeral FAQs Everything you need to know about funerals. What is a funeral? A funeral is any ceremony that offers an opportunity for family members and friends of the deceased to express love, respect, honor and grief for a loved one. Whether you choose traditional burial, cremation or green burial, a funeral offers the bereaved a place to celebrate life and take the first step towards healing. What do funeral directors do? Essentially, a funeral director is trained to anticipate your needs and help you decide on the details of your service. But, in the end, it is you who knows your loved one best, so a director is here to simply help arrange any type of service that will honor and celebrate your loved one. Directors can be caregivers, planners, organizers and advisors all at once. They are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person’s having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors can also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community. Why do we need an obituary notice? An obituary notice serves to celebrate the life of a loved one. They’re also nice for friends and family of the deceased, as they detail the many memories and stories of a persons life. Publishing an obituary can also help take some of the burden of having to notify many people about funeral details off your plate. For more information, check out our guide on how to write a beautiful obituary. What type of service should I have? You have the utmost control in deciding the service you want. The cemetery counselor and the funeral director are there to help you understand all the options available so that you can plan a service that is truly personalized and tailored to your loved one. You can incorporate memories into the service, whether that be through a favorite type of music, some readings that reflect them or a special type of flower. Above all, you should feel that the service appropriately reflects your loved one and the people he or she touched. Can I personalize my funeral service? Absolutely, in fact, we recommend it. After all, a funeral is a celebration of life and each life lived is unique. Funeral directors are happy to discuss any and all options to ensure your funeral is tailored to your wishes, and you’ll find that you can personalize services in many unique ways. You can reach out to us at any time to explore your options, or view our service page for more information. Is cremation a substitute for a funeral? Cremation is an alternative form of final disposition, but it can and frequently does still follow a funeral service. Our cemetery also offers green options such as scattering ashes around our lush, beautiful grounds. We can assist you with the necessary information about cremation, including the details of several wonderful cremation burial options or ash scattering, if this is an avenue you wish to explore. Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen? Absolutely! Cremation does not mean you cannot have a visitation period and a funeral service. Cremation is simply one option for final disposition of the body. What is the purpose of embalming? Embalming is a process to sanitize and preserve the body. It also makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and final disposition, allowing family members time to arrange the type of service most comforting to them and begin their own healing processes. While this is a personal decision for you to make, the emotional benefits of viewing the deceased can be quite helpful, particularly to those who are having difficulty dealing with the death. What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend? We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All you need to do is place a call to us at (815) 935-0090. We can help lead you in the right direction. What should I do if a death occurs while away from home? Your funeral director can help you if a death occurs anywhere on the globe. The director will coordinate all arrangements that are needed to get your loved one safely back to his or her community. Please refer to When A Death Occurs for the key steps you can follow in the event this occurs. Is embalming mandatory by law? It is not, but there are factors of time and health that may make embalming either appropriate or necessary. Please note that embalming may be required if the deceased is being transported by air to another country where local laws need to be observed. You can always contact us if you have questions on this subject, as we know it can be an unfamiliar subject to many. Funerals seem so expensive - why is that? When you’re in the middle of planning a funeral, it seems like there are so many costs that go along with it. That’s because funerals incorporate many elements, from viewing rooms and chapels to limousines and caskets. But each of these elements help ensure that every detail is perfect, and there are options available for every preference and budget. We can help you decide what options are right for you. Have the costs of funerals increased significantly? We know that funerals can seem expensive when you’re in the middle of planning, but costs have not increased significantly. In fact, funeral costs have kept pace with the general consumer price index. You can always talk to us to figure out an option that meets your needs. What recourse do I have for poor service or overcharging? Most funeral homes provide outstanding services, but sometimes outcomes may not be exactly what you had in mind. In most cases, it makes sense to discuss problems directly with the funeral director first. But if the dispute cannot be resolved by talking with the funeral director, you may wish to contact the Federal Trade Commission by contacting the Consumer Response Center. You should never hesitate to refrain from speaking up if you’re unhappy with the final result. Sitemap
Funeral Etiquette
Accepted customs of dress and behavior in a funeral have changed over time, but courtesy never goes out of style. Here's what we'd like you to know about funeral etiquette. Attending a service at Lax Mortuary DO: Watch over children to ensure their safety. Follow our cemetery guidelines. Respect cemetery visiting hours. Follow the marked roadways. Be respectful by keeping quiet around visitors who wish to reflect. DON'T'S: Stay longer than you want to. It’s all about what you’re comfortable doing, don’t feel that you need to linger if you’ve celebrated your loved one in a way that feels right to you. Be afraid to laugh and share happy memories and stories. Laughter and telling happy stories can be the best medicine on the road to healing. Feel that you need to look at the deceased. If this is something you’re not comfortable doing, there is no need to do so. A service is about your comfort level and your desire to celebrate the person in a way most meaningful to you. Let your children be too loud and disturb others. As always, respect others and practice awareness. Leave your cell phone ringer on. No one needs that additional noise when they’re trying to reflect. Be afraid to make a mistake or do something wrong. You are doing something right just by coming and caring. We are Here to Help Perhaps you've got special concerns about an upcoming funeral or memorial service? We're here to provide the answers you're looking for. Call us at (815) 935-0090.
Elmer Caffey
Elmer Caffey Oct 2 Elmer Caffey Oct 2, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Visitation Oct 3 Elmer Caffey Oct 3, 9:00 am - 10:00 am Visitation Elmer Caffey Oct 3, 10:00 am Service See all obituaries
Obituaries
Obituaries | Lax Mortuary - Kankakee, IL Skip to content Obituaries Search Obituaries Search Obituaries Upcoming Services Upcoming Services Filters Obituary Notifications Filter & Sort Sort by Date of Death Last Name Show Everything Last 30 Days Last 90 Days Obituary Notifications Please enter your information to receive emails informing you of families we are currently serving. Send This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Sitemap
Elmer Caffey - Funerals & Obituaries
Lax Mortuary - Kankakee, IL Skip to content "Where your memory is a comforting one" We’re here for You We’re here to guide you through these difficult moments in your life. Explore Our Resources Live Well, Plan Ahead Planning ahead can make all the difference to your family. Learn More Honor Our Veterans Honoring the men and women that have sacrificed for us. Learn More Funerals & Obituaries Find a loved one. Learn More about Funerals & Obituaries close Oct 2 Elmer Caffey Oct 2, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Visitation Oct 3 Elmer Caffey Oct 3, 9:00 am - 10:00 am Visitation Elmer Caffey Oct 3, 10:00 am Service See all obituaries About Us Find all the info you need. Learn More close We consider our funeral home to be a beautiful place to celebrate life. Whether you’re attending a service or visiting a memorial, we welcome you.We offer everything you need to honor and celebrate a life. About Us Pre Plan Begin the process. Learn More about Pre Plan close Pre-planning lets your loved ones focus on honoring life instead of hashing out details. Learn the choices you can make now, so a future funeral becomes more of a celebration than a burden. Learn More Send Comfort Send Comfort. Show care. Learn More about Send Comfort close Shop Flowers & Gifts Let us guide you. Planning Matters Whether you’re acting in the moment or planning ahead, let us guide you. Plan Now No upcoming events scheduled. You're Invited Community happenings. Meaningful gatherings. Join us. See Events Shop With Sympathy Send comfort. Show care. Wherever you are, any time at all. See The Store Related Links Resources Find everything you need. Plan Ahead Make choices about your future funeral now. Grief Support Coping with Grief & Loss. Explore Our Location See where we are located. Lax Mortuary 187 S. Greenwood Avenue Kankakee, IL 60901 (815) 935-0090 [email protected] Get Directions Sitemap
When a Death Occurs
When a death occurs, the order in which things need to be done often depends on where the death occurred. But, one thing should always be remembered: your heightened emotional state upon the death of a loved one. That's why we suggest that you ask a friend for help - someone who is more able to think clearly, and give you the support you need. At Home or at Work When a death occurs at home or in the workplace, a family member or co-worker should contact emergency personnel and the person's physician if he or she was under a doctor's care. If the death occurs at home with family or friends present, and the person is under a physician's care, the family will want to call us directly. However, if the death occurs in a residence and no one is there at the time of death, the police will need to be notified and respond to the residence before the deceased is removed from their home. If in any case you are not sure of who to notify or what to do, you may call (815) 932-4001, and we'll assist you in notifying the proper agencies. While Under Supervised Care When a death occurs in a care facility, such as a hospital or nursing home, the professional staff will notify you and the necessary authorities. If the name of the funeral home has been left with them, the institution will notify the funeral home at the time of the death. The funeral director will contact you immediately following their notification to help you proceed. (However, we suggest you contact the funeral home immediately, so you've got the reassurance you need that all is taken care of properly.) If a loved one was in the care of a hospice program, a hospice representative will give family members instructions and procedures to follow. The coroner/medical examiner will be notified by hospice. Following their release the hospice will contact the funeral home. It is always a good idea for the family to contact us immediately so that we will be aware of the pending call from hospice. Widening the Circle Our staff members are experienced professionals who can provide much of the information you need, emotional support and compassionate guidance. While you may ask the director any questions at this time, you will be able to discuss the arrangements in detail later when you meet in person. During this initial call, the funeral director will gather information to be able to transport your loved one to the funeral home. The funeral director may ask you several questions, including whether your loved one made any pre-arrangements. The director will also schedule a date and time for you to meet at the funeral home and will let you know what you should bring with you. Others you will need to call are: - Family members and friends - Clergy or other spiritual advisors Those Important Questions If there is no pre-plan in place, there are several other questions that you may have to have answered in regards to the death of your loved one: - Do I have to have embalming? - Do I need to purchase a casket? - What about cemetery arrangements? - Does the family have to engage the services of a minister? - What type of service should we have? By contacting our staff, we'll be able to help answer your questions and assist in making the appropriate plans. You can reach us at (815) 932-4001. However, as we’ve said before, one of the best ways to make sure that all of your questions and desires are taken care of is to make pre-arrangements. This is as simple as outlining your wishes to having all of the details written down and the financial arrangements prepaid. Please contact one of our staff at (815) 932-4001 to learn more about pre-arrangement. What to Expect When You Arrive at the Funeral Home One of the first things the funeral arranger will do is to provide you with our general price list. He or she will then guide you through the entire arrangement process, explaining how you can create a memorable personal celebration of your loved one's life. This is not a one-way conversation; we want to hear your ideas and desires, and use them as the foundation for the arrangement process. This process may include: - Preparing and filing the official death certificate - Scheduling the location, date and time of services or events - Selecting a casket, urn or other items - Preparing an obituary notice - Scheduling vehicles - Selecting pallbearers You may also sign necessary authorizations or make arrangements to have them signed by the appropriate family members. We’d like you to bring any photos, a favorite song, or memorabilia so that you and your funeral arranger can better discuss how you would like your loved one to be remembered. Having these things, and knowing their favorite song or favorite gathering place – even their favorite activity – will help us create a truly fitting memorial service. Our funeral arrangers will assist you in planning a loving tribute that captures the spirit of the person whose life you wish to honor. To learn more about personalizing the service, please read the Honoring Life section of this Web site. The funeral arranger will discuss personalization with you during your arrangement conference. The following checklist will help you remember what information about the decedent and items will be needed when meeting with a funeral arranger. - Full legal name- Home address - Social Security number - Date of birth - Place of birth - Father's name - Mother's maiden name - Veteran's discharge papers (DD-214) - Recent Photograph - Highest education - Occupation - Place of burial (if applicable) - Clothing - Clergy name and phone number - Survivors (name and relationship) - Insurance policies (if applicable) A staff member of Jensen Funeral Home will be honored to explain all of the options available to you.
Obituary Notifications
Obituary Notifications Please enter your information to receive emails informing you of families we are currently serving. Submit Your privacy is important to us. We guarantee that your contact details will not be shared, sold or rented to third party vendors, and we will not contact you for any other reason. You may easily unsubscribe to these updates, by clicking on an unsubscribe link in the body of the incoming email messages. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Plan Ahead
Pre-Planning Funeral Services Bradley, Bourbonnais, Momence & Kankakee IL - Jensen Funeral Home Skip to content Plan Ahead Call Us (815) 932-4001 Send Flowers & Gifts Toggle navigation Search Overview Why Should I Plan Ahead Pre-Planning Checklist Pre-Planned Funeral Services Online Pre-Planning Form Plan for the Inevitable… Pre-planning your funeral should be a natural part of life, because it provides you with time to make end-of-life decisions in a calm and rational atmosphere. Start the online planning process now, or meet with one of our pre-planning advisors. It just makes sense. Why Should I Plan Ahead You've got to admit it; no one should have to make these decisions for you. Giving a pre-plan to those you love gives everyone greater peace-of-mind. You can then live your life to the fullest, knowing you've done the right thing. Read more about Why Should I Plan Ahead Pre-Planning Checklist There's a lot to consider when beginning the pre-planning process. Our checklist will give you the satisfaction of checking off each of the related tasks, knowing you're getting closer to the goal of completing your pre-need plan. Read more about Pre-Planning Checklist Online Pre-Planning Form We've developed a powerful online pre-planning tool. A password-protected account allows you to start your end-of-life plan and return to it as many times as you need to, until you're completely satisfied with your arrangements. Read more about Online Pre-Planning Form Sitemap
Upcoming Services
James W. Tharp View full details Visitation Sep. 26, 2026 · 10am - 12pm 3639 EAST State Route 17 Kankakee, IL 60901 Jensen Funeral Home Memorial Service Sep. 26, 2026 · 12pm 3639 EAST State Route 17 Kankakee, IL 60901 Jensen Funeral Home
- Share local celebrations and life transitions.
- Maintain a respectful and supportive tone.
- Verify event details before posting.
- No commercial advertising in announcements.
No events scheduled this week.
Celebrate Together
Sharing announcements helps build a stronger, more connected community.