This webpage lists funeral homes and cremation organizations in the Des Moines, IA area that we deem “cooperative.” A “cooperative” funeral home or cremation organization meets two criteria:
ACCESS
- makes its facility available to pathology personnel on a daily basis. At minimum, a four-hour window each day is necessary.
- ideally, makes its facility available on a 24×7 basis.
FEES
- charges a reasonable fee, if any, and assesses that fee only if the facility is utilized after-hours. We have not included funeral homes or cremation organizations where the facility charge exceeds $500.
- ideally, charges no fee to the family (or anyone else) for allowing pathology personnel to use its facilities.
Listed below are places we’ve worked with or called somewhat recently that we deem “cooperative.” This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and serves only as a starting point. If you identify other organizations that should be on this list, let us know.
Fees listed assume that your family is utilizing this business for final arrangements.
Note 1: if you are using a funeral home or cremation organization that does not allow the work on its premises, we can ask one of these “cooperative” funeral homes whether its facility can be rented for a fee for the brain donation work. And the “cooperative” funeral home may provide transportation from the place of death.
Note 2: there are two rare cases when a funeral home or cremation organization need not be open on a daily basis: (1) if death has occurred or (2) if the loved one is utilizing a “death with dignity” act on a certain day/time.
Adams Funeral Home
Ames, IA
Contact: Matt Ringgenberg
Phone: 515-232-5121
Web: adamssoderstrum.com
| Regular Hours | |
| M-F 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | Fee: $375 |
| After Hours | |
| Willing to open on weekends and after hours by appt. | Fee: $375 |
Refrigeration unit is on order.
Hamilton’s Funeral and After Life Services
multiple locations throughout Des Moines, IA
Phone: Varies by location. See website for details.
Web: hamiltonsfuneralhome.com
| Regular Hours | |
|
24×7 |
Fee: None |
Brain donation work for all locations is done at Hamilton’s central care facility in Des Moines.
Iles Funeral Homes
multiple locations throughout Des Moines, IA
Phone: Varies by location. See website for details.
Web: ilesfuneralhomes.com
| Regular Hours | |
|
24×7 |
Fee: None |
Brain donation work for all locations is done at Iles Dunn’s Funeral Home in Des Moines.
Peterson Funeral Services
Carlisle, Indianola, Des Moines, IA
Contact: Jon Peterson or Jim Peterson
Phone: 515-989-3510 (Carlisle), 515-961-2215 (Indianola), 515-288-6551 (Des Moines)
Web: petersonfuneralservice.com
| Regular Hours | |
|
24×7 |
Fee: None |
Brain donation work is done at Carlisle location.