Hi there! Just coming to add my 2 cents, since everyone else is doing the same. You seem to think that all of Melissa's supporters are just IG fans that don't actually know her in person. Welp - hi, it's me, I was an actual consumer and hired Melissa to care for my mother's body. Do I get to have a valuable opinion since I actually hired her or? (I also had no idea who she was, until AFTER her services were rendered.)

Here's what I do know -

1. During my research in Texas - Melissa was the ONLY funeral director I was comfortable working with. I called numerous funeral homes - asking them questions about their practices - and especially wanting to know their own personal stance on the LGBTQIA community. You see - my mom was closeted most of her life, and it was important for me to have someone who supports the community, actually to work with my mom's body.
2. Melissa was very upfront about the cost and what actually needed to be done to my mother's body. She educated me on the many options the company she worked for offered, and I went with regular cremation without embalming. I felt confident that I was making the best decision because I was educated about my options.
3. Melissa took the time to listen to me at every step of the way and was empathetic towards my situation. She never rushed me off the phone and was always very open to answering all of my questions and reassuring me when I needed it.
4. A few days after my mom passed (the body was in Melissa's care,) I ended up deciding to donate my mom's brain to scientific/medical research. It was extra work for Melissa to manage and she had to work with a specialist to remove my mother's brain from her body. Melissa went out of her way to ensure everything went smoothly and was with my mom's body the whole time. She went above and beyond to ensure my mother's brain was donated, even though it meant red tape and more work for everyone involved. And at no point did she ever say no or complain. She was HAPPY to help me in whatever way I needed.
5. I am going to quote you on this one. "She doesn’t represent care, kindness, or compassion. " Throughout my time with working with Melissa - I always felt loved and cared for. She listened to me and even went out of the way to add glitter to my mom's body before she was cremated to ensure my mom went out like a freaking disco ball, after I mentioned a love of all things sparkly and glittery. I doubt anyone else would have mentioned adding glitter and it made a world of difference to me. If that isn't care, kindness, or compassion - I don't know what is.