Planning a funeral is something nobody actually wants to do. It’s heavy. It’s confusing. Most of the time, you’re making massive financial decisions while your brain is basically fogged over by grief. If you’ve been looking into Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, you’re likely trying to figure out if they’re the right fit for a difficult moment. Honestly, the funeral industry has changed a lot lately, and a family-owned spot like Temrowski carries a specific reputation in the Detroit metro area, specifically around Warren and St. Clair Shores.
People think all funeral homes are the same. They aren't.
Some are owned by massive, faceless corporations that trade on the stock exchange. Others, like Temrowski & Sons, are still rooted in that old-school, family-run philosophy. That matters more than you might think when you're trying to figure out if you're being "sold" a package or actually being helped.
The Reality of Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home
Let's get into the specifics. They’ve been around for decades. Founded by Anthony Temrowski, this isn't a new operation. They’ve seen the shift from traditional, three-day viewings with heavy velvet curtains to the modern era of "celebrations of life" and quick cremations.
One thing people often get wrong is assuming that because they have a long history, they only do "traditional" Catholic-style funerals. While they certainly handle those—and they have deep ties to the local parishes—they’ve had to adapt. You’ve got options now. You can do a full traditional service, or you can do something totally stripped back.
The Warren location on Hoover Road is their flagship. It’s huge. If you’re expecting a tiny, cramped house, that’s not this. It was designed to handle large crowds, which is a big deal if you come from a big family or have a lot of community ties.
Why the "Family Owned" Label Isn't Just Marketing
In the funeral business, "family owned" is a badge of honor. Why? Because when a corporate conglomerate buys a funeral home, they often keep the original family name on the sign to keep locals happy, but the price list gets sent down from a head office in another state. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home remains family-operated.
When you sit down at the table there, you’re usually talking to someone whose last name is actually on the building or someone who has worked for that family for twenty years. That changes the vibe. There’s a level of accountability there. If they mess up your uncle’s service, they can’t just hide behind a corporate HR department. They live in the community.
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Breaking Down the Costs (Without the Fluff)
Funerals are expensive. Period.
If you go in expecting a $2,000 full service, you’re going to be disappointed. That’s just the math of modern death care. At Temrowski, like most reputable Michigan homes, you’re looking at several different "buckets" of cost.
- The Basic Services Fee: This is the non-declinable fee. It covers the overhead, the licenses, and the professional "know-how" of the staff.
- Transportation and Preparation: Embalming is optional unless you’re doing a public viewing, but people often forget that.
- The Casket or Urn: This is where the price swings wildly. You can buy a casket from them, or legally, you can actually buy one elsewhere and have it shipped there. They have to accept it.
- Cash Advances: These are things the funeral home pays for on your behalf, like the obituary in the Detroit Free Press, the death certificates, or the clergy honorarium.
They are generally transparent about their General Price List (GPL). By law, they have to give this to you. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just ask for the "General Price List" immediately. It’s the best way to cut through the emotional talk and see the numbers.
How Cremation is Changing Things at Temrowski
More and more people are choosing cremation. It’s just the trend. In Michigan, the cremation rate has skyrocketed over the last decade.
Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home offers what they call "Direct Cremation," which is basically just the essentials—no viewing, no ceremony beforehand. But what most people don't realize is that you can still have a full funeral with the body present, and then do cremation afterward. You just rent a casket. It’s way more common than you’d think and it saves a fortune on cemetery plots and vaults.
They also facilitate services at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. If the deceased was a veteran, this is a huge deal. The honors are intense and moving, and the staff at Temrowski knows the paperwork shuffle required to make that happen. Veterans' benefits can be a nightmare to navigate alone.
What Nobody Talks About: The Pre-Planning Trap
You’ve seen the commercials. "Lock in today's prices!"
Pre-planning at a place like Temrowski & Sons can be a godsend for your kids, but you have to be smart about it. When you pre-pay, that money usually goes into a trust or an insurance policy. It stays there until it’s needed.
The benefit? You pick what you want so your kids don't argue about whether you wanted "Mediterranean Blue" or "Classic Bronze."
The risk? You have to make sure the contract is "guaranteed." This means even if prices triple in twenty years, your family doesn't pay a cent more for the services you selected. Always ask: "Is this a guaranteed price contract?"
The "Warren Style" Service
There is a specific way things are done in Macomb County. It’s a mix of blue-collar tradition and deep-rooted family values. Temrowski fits into this perfectly.
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The facilities are polished. They have the tech for video tributes—those slideshows that make everyone cry—and they have the space for the "cookie and coffee" social hour that is basically a requirement in Michigan.
Some people find funeral homes intimidating. They feel like they have to whisper. But the feedback often given about the Temrowski staff is that they are "human." They aren't robots in suits; they’re people who understand that sometimes you need a joke to break the tension, and sometimes you just need a box of tissues and five minutes of silence.
Dealing with the Paperwork
Let’s be real: the paperwork is the worst part.
Social Security notification, veterans' forms, life insurance claims—it’s a lot. One of the reasons people go to an established place like Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home is because they handle the bulk of this. They notify Social Security for you. They help order the death certificates (pro tip: order at least 10, you’ll need them for everything from bank accounts to cell phone plans).
Misconceptions About Local Funeral Homes
A big one: "I have to use the funeral home closest to me."
Nope. You can use whoever you want. If you live in Royal Oak but your family has always used Temrowski in Warren, they can come get you. Distance isn't really an obstacle in the funeral industry.
Another one: "I have to be embalmed."
Again, nope. If you’re doing a quick cremation or a closed-casket service within a certain timeframe, embalming isn't usually a legal requirement in Michigan. It’s a choice. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise unless there’s a specific public health reason or a long delay.
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Practical Steps for Choosing a Service
If you are currently in the position of having to plan a service, here is the move:
- Call and ask for the GPL. If they won't give you prices over the phone or email, move on. (Temrowski is usually very straightforward here).
- Visit the space. Does it smell like old flowers and mothballs, or does it feel clean and updated? You’re going to be spending a lot of time there.
- Ask about the "Aftercare." Do they help with grief resources? Do they help with the headstone?
- Compare. It’s okay to "shop" for a funeral. It feels weird, but it’s a multi-thousand dollar purchase. You wouldn't buy a car without looking at two dealerships.
Ultimately, Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home occupies a specific niche in the Detroit area. They are the "reliable neighbor" type of business. They aren't the cheapest "cremation-only" warehouse in town, and they aren't the ultra-luxury boutique spots you might find in Birmingham. They are middle-of-the-road, family-focused, and very experienced.
If you’re looking for a place that understands the specific cultural landscape of Warren and the surrounding suburbs, they’re a solid choice. Just make sure you go in with your eyes open about costs and don't be afraid to ask for exactly what you want—even if it isn't "traditional."
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Obituary Section: If you want to see how they handle tributes, look at their website's current services. It gives you a feel for their style.
- Request a Pre-Planning Guide: Even if you aren't ready to buy, get their packet. It’s a great checklist for the documents you need to gather (will, insurance, etc.).
- Verify Veteran Status: If you’re planning for a veteran, find the DD-214 form now. No funeral home can help you with military honors without that specific piece of paper.
- Set a Budget Before the Meeting: Grief makes you want to spend more to "show love." Decide on a firm number for the casket and service before you walk through the doors.