Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Compassionate Funeral Services
Rhiel Funeral Home has been serving families in the Menomonie, Durand, and Elmwood communities since 1919. As a family-owned and operated business spanning three generations, we prioritize dignity, respect, and empathy in every service we provide. Our team of licensed funeral directors holds CFSP and CFD certifications, ensuring professional expertise in arranging traditional funerals, cremations, and memorial services. We maintain active memberships in the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association, reinforcing our commitment to industry standards. Our personalized approach allows families to create meaningful tributes, supported by 24/7 availability and facilities designed to accommodate visitations, ceremonies, and lasting memorials.We specialize in pre-planning services to alleviate future burdens on families, offering peace of mind through thoughtful preparation. Our staff collaborates with local florists, clergy, and veterans organizations to coordinate comprehensive arrangements tailored to individual needs. With three locations and decades of combined experience, we remain dedicated to compassionate care and community support during life's most challenging moments. Our facilities feature non-denominational chapels, multimedia tributes, and customizable memorial products to honor unique lives. Through generations of service, we have built a reputation as trusted advisors in end-of-life planning and grief support.
Services
Funeral Arrangements
Cremation Services
Pre-Planning Consultations
Memorial Customization
Veteran Benefits Coordination
Obituary Preparation
Cemetery Arrangements
Grief Support Resources
24/7 Emergency Services
Memorial Keepsakes
Details
- Year established: 1919
Highlights and features
- Family-owned operation serving communities since 1919
- Certified funeral service professionals with specialized training
- 24/7 availability for immediate assistance during emergencies
- Personalized memorial planning with multimedia tribute capabilities
- Collaboration with local veterans organizations for military honors
Associations and certifications
- CFSP
- CFD
What people say
Kind and compassionate manner
Professional and supportive staff
Personalized memorial arrangements
24/7 availability during emergencies
Thoughtful attention to details
Services
Funeral Arrangements
We coordinate complete funeral services including venue selection, clergy coordination, and service logistics. Our directors handle all operational details from timing to vendor arrangements while guiding families through decision-making. Services accommodate religious traditions and personal preferences with options for visitations, eulogies, and military honors.
Cremation Services
Our cremation services include private viewing options, memorial ceremonies, and urn selection. We offer biodegradable urns, keepsake containers, and jewelry that incorporates cremated remains. Families receive guidance on scattering regulations and memorial placement through our partnership with Melgard Monuments for personalized tributes.
Pre-Planning Consultations
We help individuals document end-of-life wishes through personalized pre-planning sessions. This includes service type selection, financial arrangements, and legal documentation. Our process prevents family disputes while ensuring wishes are honored, with flexible payment plans and transferable funding options available.
Memorial Customization
Create unique memorials using photo displays, DVD tributes, and customized urns. Our facilities accommodate personal item displays while our design team assists with engraved medallions, embroidered scenes, and hobby-themed memorials. We also coordinate customized music selections and multimedia presentations during services.
Veteran Benefits Coordination
We arrange full military honors including flag presentation, rifle salutes, and TAPS performances. Our staff processes VA benefits paperwork and coordinates with local veterans organizations to ensure proper recognition for service members' sacrifices through formal ceremonies.
People
Richard J. Rhiel
Director
Third-generation funeral director serving Menomonie since 1986. UW-Stout business graduate with mortuary science degree from University of Minnesota. Active in local rotary and chamber organizations.
James N.R. Sedlmayr
Director
Licensed director since 2005 with technical college mortuary education. Coordinates Durand operations while serving on local fire and rescue department. Specializes in veteran service arrangements.
William J. Rhiel
Director
Durand native with University of Minnesota mortuary science degree. Manages daily operations across three locations while maintaining community involvement through Lions Club leadership.
Gary Asher
Assistant
Community volunteer assisting since 2011. Coordinates visitation logistics and memorial preparations while serving as church finance council member and disaster relief coordinator.
Gary Russo
Assistant
Insurance claims professional assisting families since 2012. Coordinates memorial keepsakes and community outreach while maintaining church leadership roles in Menomonie.
Questions
What pre-planning options are available?
We offer comprehensive pre-planning with customizable service selections, funding options, and transferable arrangements. Our online form starts the process with personalized follow-up available.
Do you handle out-of-town arrangements?
Yes, our directors coordinate transfers and local services nationwide. We assist with travel logistics for families needing to arrange services away from our service areas.
Can I personalize cremation services?
Absolutely. We provide biodegradable urns, keepsake jewelry, and customized memorial options including hobby-themed tributes and multimedia presentations during memorial services.
How are veteran benefits processed?
Our staff files all necessary documentation for VA benefits, coordinates military honors ceremonies, and ensures proper flag presentation during formal funeral services.
What support exists after service planning?
We provide grief resources including local support groups and counseling referrals. Our staff remains available for follow-up questions about estate matters or memorial arrangements.
Can services be held at multiple locations?
Yes, we coordinate visitations and ceremonies across our three facilities. Families may hold viewing in one location with memorial service at another as preferred.
