FEATURE SPOTLIGHT

Rienard A. and Ruthie L. Wilson started Premier Crematory on Feb. 1 in 2002 with one purpose in mind: Meet people at their needs by providing excellent service at an affordable rate.

“Everyone doesn’t have $10,000 for services of a loved one but they still need and deserve 100 percent service and that’s what we provide to our families,” said co-owner Ruthie Wilson who met her husband and business partner in 1994 while receiving their funeral service and crematory degrees. “You can always come to me or my husband directly for our services. We are always on call for the people because death waits on no time or day.”

The married director and directress say serving the community through properly taking care of deceased loved ones was a passion that was instilled in them in their childhood.

“At the age of 9, I started working with my uncle at his funeral home, Hart’s Funeral Service in North Carolina. I knew at an early age I wanted to do this and at the age of 17 I was really able to get into it and look into a career,” Rienard said. “For me, it was at the age of 5 when I witnessed my grandfather’s funeral and went through with my family that difficult time. That’s when I knew I wanted to do this and help families going through similar situations,” Ruthie said.

Rienard managed the City of Decatur’s cemetery before starting his own business. He says at that time there were only 25 crematories and now with more than 80 in the state it is important for him to build relationships and serve not only the Conyers community but throughout Atlanta and even as far as Canton, Macon and Hartwell, Georgia.

“It’s all about building relationships and we have done our best to do that with the hospices, hospitals and funeral homes who enlist our services,” said Rienard. “Now we have plans to expand our offices and we are working with the Thumbies Fingerprint Jewelry company to start offering a finger print keepsake service that allows you to put the fingerprint of your lost loved one on pendants. We are always looking for innovative ways to serve families.”

Premier Crematory offers a competitive 24-hour direct cremation package, which at $875 includes the removal of the deceased, corrugated alternative container (cremation container), the cremation process, procurement of documents, and providing the alternate urn (within 50 miles of the crematory). Premier will also come to your home and transport your deceased loved one for an additional charge of $75, because additional staff needed for that  process.

Families can have their entire funeral and memorial service at the Premier Crematory chapel as well. Premier Crematory is located at 495-A Smyrna Road, Conyers.

Someone is always on call 24-hours a day at 770-761-2304 or you can visit them online at http://premiercrematory.net.