In 1926, Bernard Stanley Skaja saw the need for a full-service funeral home to serve the families of his community; with that need, he founded Skaja Funeral Homes. Following his death in 1949, the business was temporarily run by Bernard's wife Helen, and his eldest daughter, Dorothy. Bernard, Jr. ("Bud") entered the business in 1951 and ran all operations until his brothers completed their education and in turn entered into the business.
In 1965 the family expanded the funeral home operation and built the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home at 7812 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Niles, Illinois; the family also later ran a funeral home in Chicago's Ukranian Village. In 1985, the original Skaja Funeral Home moved from its location at Belmont and Lawndale in Chicago and became Skaja Stanley Funeral Home at 3060 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.
In 1965 the family expanded the funeral home operation and built the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home at 7812 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Niles, Illinois; the family also later ran a funeral home in Chicago's Ukranian Village. In 1985, the original Skaja Funeral Home moved from its location at Belmont and Lawndale in Chicago and became Skaja Stanley Funeral Home at 3060 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.
Services
Staff members of Skaja Terrace Funeral Home are caring and experienced professionals who understand that each family is unique and has personal requests and traditions. These requests and traditions are of utmost importance to our staff of licensed funeral directors. A 1958 graduate of Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, Illinois, Jack attended Loyola University and graduated from Wordsham College in 1961.
Most of us plan ahead in life. We plan for our wedding, our children's education, family vacations, and other significant expected life events. We also plan for the unexpected events of life by purchasing home, auto and medical insurance. Understanding the benefits of pre-planning has prompted many to take the step to plan their own arrangements.
In our lives, we plan for almost everything. We plan careers, education, vacations, and even parties. We plan for the unknown as well as emergencies. We plan for so many possibilities, but we seldom plan for the inevitable. Today, more than ever, people are realizing that pre-planning a funeral is not only a sound financial decision, but also a choice that can save undue emotional stress.
Most of us are not prepared to plan and carry out a funeral ceremony for someone we love. And so much of the information available on this critically important subject fails to focus on what is most important: having a personalized, meaningful funeral that helps families and friends begin the healing process of mourning after the death of someone we love.
Someone you love has died. You are now faced with the difficult, but important, need to mourn. Mourning is the open expression of your thoughts and feelings regarding the death and the person who died. It is an essential part of healing. The following articles provide many practical suggestions to help you move toward healing in your unique grief journey.
Reviews (6)
Halina Sendlak
Jul 22, 2021
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Thank you very much the entire staff of Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, especially to the Polish speaking Director Mark, who guided me with professionalism and empathy throughout the funeral preparing process. He gave me advice and helpful suggestions, so my friendās visitation in an exceptionally clean and comfortable parlor, funeral mass with the specific music and songs I asked for through the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, and the ceremony at Maryhill Cemetery were prepared nicely. Mark even ordered the funeral luncheon for me. Every detail of the service was perfect. It was nice to have professional
Lauren Lammy
Sep 13, 2019
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I could not be more grateful for the amazing staff at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home. My Grandmother passed away this last week and myself and my family could not have been happier with the two day event that they hosted for her. They helped my Mom, Aunt, Uncle and Grandpa put together a wake, funeral, graveside service, and luncheon that was so well thought out and beautiful; my Grandma would have loved it! Mark, the Director, was so attentive to helping us in every aspect of the arrangements and he was there lending his support through every hour of the two day event. My Grandma was a vision for
Erikak
Jul 15, 2019
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Alexa Molnar
Aug 04, 2018
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I was at the viewing of my friend Iast week. She was Caucasian. Her skin tone at the viewing was a ghastly ashen gray. I was shocked and mortified to see her look like this. I don't know what all goes into good mortuary makeup results and what contributes to having possibly darker skin. I think it is disrespectful to family and friends to not have a better skin tone if it was AT ALL POSSIBLE to do this. I don't want to remember my dear kind friend looking this way. I will make sure that no family member I bury ever looks like this.
Diana Esther Mejia
Jun 12, 2018
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Rebecca Newburn
Jan 04, 2018
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When our loved one passed away six hours from home, we struggled with whether to have his remains taken care of locally, or whether to transport him home to be taken care of. The chaplain at the hospital recommended Skaja Terrace, as his own mother's funeral was handled there. So I called. Kevin spoke to me kindly, was straightforward, respectful, and helpful. After spreading to my hometown funeral home, who LAUGHED at me on the phone, I had no reservations in entrusting our loved one to Skaja Terrace.
