Last week, the front of the funeral home chapel was home to a young man’s dirt bike – complete with the mud that was caked on it from his last ride. Prior to that, a local farmer’s family wanted to find a way to personalize their loved one’s service. With the help of their funeral director the family was able to memorialize their father in a way they never could have imagined. His family brought in his saddle and boots, handmade wooden replicas, his casket was even placed on hay bales! To commence the ceremony his five children, who served as pallbearers, placed their cowboy hats on his casket as a sign of farewell. These are examples of the many ways that the staff of Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service helps families to bring a true sense of their loved one to the ceremony. “Many years ago, when most visitations were held in family homes, settings were both comforting, and the family was surrounded by their loved one’s memorabilia,” said Paul Hutchison, funeral director. “We strive every day to bring that same sensibility here to our funeral home.”

“The funeral is not about us, it’s about the individual and their family,” agrees Susan Hutchison, funeral director. “We always try to find ways to help families create more personal and meaningful celebrations of life.”

The Hutchison’s, together with Neil Mattson and Thomas Vertin, own the 10,000 square foot business that sits on the banks of Forest Lake and hosts a warm and friendly atmosphere, often unassociated with a funeral home. “We’re a family-owned business, and we’re funeral directors as well as owners. We believe that makes a great difference in the care and service that each family receives,” says Susan. Although the history of the business in Forest Lake dates back to the early 1900’s, North Shore Drive has been its home since the 1930’s, the new funeral home was completed in February of 2000. It includes two chapels, a sunroom with children’s play area, casket selection room, preparation room, a spacious foyer, and business offices on the main level. The second level adds additional offices for the staff.

In addition to Harrigan and the Hutchison's, Mattson's staff includes Sarah Curtis, Office Manager; Kelly Haus, Aftercare Coordinator; Kari Eberhardt and Neil Mattson, Licensed Funeral Directors; and several part-time funeral assistants. "Together, we have over 146 years of funeral experience," says Eberhardt. "That's a very deep well of knowledge that we draw from in service to families. We never take that for granted, and we always strive to learn and grow from each experience."

“We’ve implemented several new programs recently at the funeral home, including a knitter’s group, an employee fitness program, and an established plan to work more closely with our area clergy,” said Susan Hutchison. “We’ve also achieved NFDA’s Pursuit of Excellence Award for the second time,” adds Paul, “a program which aligns perfectly with our mission to continue the Mattson Funeral Home tradition of providing families with the utmost care and respect. We have a little motto that we use with our staff that says ‘the only thing we overlook is the lake’. It truly is our goal to handle every little detail for our families.”

The staff at Mattson’s is also very community-minded. Collectively, they’re involved in many of the city’s churches, organizations and community projects. Their recent venture in cooperation with the MN Department of Transportation and the Master Gardeners to plant a community garden near the funeral home is just one example of their community spirit. “We had a wonderful turn-out of volunteers and folks who love to garden, and a really fun day of camaraderie,” states Paul. “We’re just very excited to be a part of Forest Lake, and we’re very honored to be of service to the families here. We received a note recently from a woman who said ‘I am so touched at your genuine concern and the way in which you come up along side people during a very hard time in their life and walk through it with them.’ We take that responsibility very seriously. We live and work here, right next to the folks that we serve. It’s our duty and privilege to do the very best that we can – in the funeral home as well as in the community.”

Every service should be a memorable, warm reflection of the person who has died. Photographs, a special song, even a favorite tie or golf clubs, can be incorporated into the funeral service to make it more meaningful. Please contact the funeral home to learn more.