Kenosha, Wis. – A Kenosha-based funeral home, Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations, is facing public scrutiny after a family accused its directors of predatory behavior, price gouging, and a lack of compassion during their times of grief.
Allegations from Grieving Sisters
Two women, Alexis Quirk and Kiki Nicole, recently took to social media and Google reviews to share their troubling experiences with the funeral home. Their accounts describe an ordeal that exacerbated their grief as they navigated the difficult process of laying their grandmothers to rest.
In a now-removed Google review, Alexis Quirk detailed a distressing encounter with funeral director Thomas Casey. According to her, her mother was met with aggression and condescension when discussing funeral arrangements. She recounted that Thomas allegedly stormed out of his office, cornered her mother, and slammed furniture and office supplies in frustration.
When Alexis and her sister escalated their concerns to another funeral director, Michael Casey, he reportedly dismissed them, prioritizing the company’s reputation over their grievances. When their complaints reached the owner, Steve Casey, they were allegedly met with dismissive language and gaslighting tactics. Ultimately, they were offered a full refund and told to take their grandmother’s body elsewhere.
After her review was removed, Alexis posted another one-star review, stating, “This place made the worst day of our lives even worse, and then they went above and beyond to cover it up. I will be filing a complaint with their licensing board as well.”
Similarly, Kiki Nicole shared her account on Facebook, alleging that Casey Family Options had misrepresented its pricing structure and later added an unexpected $150 fee for an additional staff member, despite requiring one of the deceased’s grandsons to assist in moving the body. She described Thomas Casey as unprofessional and aggressive, recounting how he confronted her mother, slammed chairs and office supplies, and became visibly frustrated when challenged. She also noted that after she mentioned leaving a negative review, staff members suddenly became more concerned about their reputation than addressing the family’s distress
A Troubled History
Public records reveal that Steve Casey, the owner of Casey Family Options, has faced disciplinary action from the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Examining Board. Documents show that Casey Family Options operated without a valid funeral establishment permit from June 2009 to September 2010 and that Steve Casey practiced as a funeral director without a valid license for nearly two months in 2010. As a result, his license was suspended for 30 days, and both he and the funeral home were fined.
Additionally, Steve Casey has been a controversial political figure, serving as an alderman in Kenosha for 22 years. His tenure was marked by debates over transparency and accountability.
Kenosha County Eye reached out to Casey Family Options for comment, but they did not respond.
73 Responses
Steve Casey’s an awful individual.
Always cheating to people. Worst funeral home ever. He needs to go to jail.
This place made the worst day of our lives even worse, and then they went above and beyond to cover it up. I will be filing a complaint with their licensing board as well.”
WOW WOW
He used to bank where I worked. We called him “Discount Steve” because he gave off sleazeball vibes.
He is scummy
Pay day loan or bank?
Bank. Small, local bank.
And you go around giving your customers derogatory nicknames?
I understand that everyone wants to pile on with their own experiences after reading a story about a presumably bad person, but I’d still hope for something more professional from bank employees. I don’t particularly want to walk into a bank and find out they are calling me “Bad Hair Betty” or “Disorganized Doris” behind my back. Both descriptions may be accurate, but ugh. I sure hope I never had business with that bank.
My god, STFU Karen. Pretty sure you probably have a nickname all the places you go.
Who cares what people say !
How do the people of the bank know you guys . Do you go get a roll of dimes from there everyday
Exactly…..the guy has a nickname for an obvious reason it seems like.
Where have you worked? You, and co-workers never make up silly names for people you come in contact with? Hard to believe.
I’m pretty sure she is “Karen” to all the places she goes to…
Not surprised to hear this at all. Cheap funerals come with less compassion. Steve’s the cheapest place, and he deals with the worst clients, poor people, drugged, ect, and he is short tempered when not pressed. He makes Bob knight look calm
Poor people! How dare them for helping people in a stressful, emotional, difficult time. What are you proposing? 15 k minimum? Douche bag! Drop Dead!
!
I’m sure you misspoke when you put the words “worst clients” together with “poor people”, & “drugged people”. Those 3 things are not guaranteed synonymous.
He is condescending for sure. Even back in high school
Well Thomas Casey also works as a part time realtor,is the funeral home business not busy that he has time to try to sell houses? He’s no Felicia and never will be.
Is he a Felix?
What real estate agency does he work for?
Dewey Cheatim and How
Slums are us
Wait, he works for Bear?
Felicia is no angel. She’d be on my list of Realtors to avoid.
Maybe they will all be able to find jobs selling
used cars, or real estate.
Good grief! Thanks for writing about this issue
Problem.
Obviously, you have not priced out funerals lately. It is a big money making industry.
Remember, you get what you pay for. Are you going to emblam your family, dress them up, put makeup on and fix their hair, lay them in a box and move that box from a funeral home/church to a grave? Are you gonna make a casket? Dig the grave? Lower the casket? Throw the dirt back on? Make a headstone?
Point is there are lots of costs.
People want that funeral that they see on TV….gold casket, flowers galore, pall bears wearing tuxedos, a hurse that is perfect and a funeral home that is like a castle. Face it folks…..we are all gonna die. We will be underground or burnt to ashes. Six year later very few will care.
Thanks Steve ! Clever handle !
Not fair that I can’t just have my relatives tip the garbage truck driver a hundred bucks to not mention how heavy my garbage can was that day. I promise to be good to the soil in the landfill and counteract some of the things that won’t decompose into good dirt.
Is/Were a sponsor and frequent call in guest on that guys radio talk show no one listens to?
I think he’s Lenny Palmer’s buddy that calls in
to that station nobody listen’s to.
Casey is despicable but we are lucky that we have other options. I know these three are great. Yeah, it us expensive but ask and share ur status. In all cases, you will be given respect from these folks.
Strang Funeral Home
Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory
Piasecki Funeral Home and Cremation Services
Doesn’t that drug addict work at Draegger??
Who?
Hey Paul Steve Bearer,
Name the drug addict? And do you pay someone cash to do your website?
What about Proko?
We used Proko when my father passed, no complaints, reasonable pricing and good people.
Thank you. I was wondering which funeral homes were reputable around here
We’ve had wonderful, compassionate service at Kenosha Funeral Services & Crematory several times.
I used Piasecki when my wife passed. Cheap? No. But they were compassionate, patient, professional, with worthwhile suggestions. That’s about all I could ask for in that tough situation.
Based on Casey advertising, they should be killing the market. There are others in the area. Casey, if they are so great, should be wiping out at least one of the multi generation businesses. That tells me right off that they are not what they claim. I am of the age of needing to attend wakes seems like every week! I look around. I can see when a business is proud of their work for us at a most terrible moment. No Casey in that mix.
My family used Casey Family Options for 3 family funerals within 1 year. They were very professional, respectful and the cost was reasonable. I am sorry to hear of this incident. Not everyone is all good or bad
As I am dealing with a loss right now this ticks me off. I will say this place was never mentioned by the chaplain at the hospital. Grateful he steered us elsewhere and I pray our meeting Monday to make arrangements goes smoothly.
My mother pre paid for her funeral several years before her passing at this business and was totally expecting to get hit with extra fees when we went in to make her arrangements after passing. We were treated with respect, no sales pressure and it had a very family like atmosphere. Sure the large funeral homes are much more flashy but they come with a large price tag that a lot of people can’t afford. I do hear Steve on the radio show and he is very opinionated and you always know where he stands which is not a bad thing. People today forget today that they have the option of not listening to something they don’t like or not patronizing businesses they don’t believe in but instead rather choose to be offended. Most of the people that receive free handouts cry the loudest. I admire Kevin for exposing political corruption but I don’t think it’s ok to tear down a businesses reputation because one person wasn’t happy.
I also think too much attention has been given to these two negative reviews, especially since this funeral home averages a 4.5 on 35 Google reviews. On the other hand, I feel the license violations are newsworthy and I’m glad Kevin mentioned these.
But if he has negative reviews deleted, how accurate is that rating?!
Thank you Kevin for bringing us to our attention. I have a very elderly parent was thinking about using Casey. This changed my mind. When I think of it he is arrogant. I know it all. Frank Pacetti The former City administrator. Another corrupt guy.
I worked in a sheriff’s department I remember the investigation. They’re best friends. What do they say if you hang around with somebody that limps you start limping also. Pacetti and Casey both need to go to jail.
Hmmmm….when you put yourself in public eye , you better be ready for fall out when you don’t hold your self to the standard you claim you have ….then again this is one mans opinion….lmao ….asshole
Several years ago, a friend’s ex husband died. He became indigent and basically homesless; he had a closet to eventually live in. Friend and her ex remained “friends”.
When he passed she was left “in charge” and she was at a loss.
I guided her to Casey, and Steve and his whole team could not have been more compassionate, caring, and professional. He was cremated; his cremains were delivered to Christ Lutheran Church in Paddock Lake where a Funeral service was conducted and family and friends and new acquaintances were allowed to grieve and find consolation.
Casey went out of their way for a man who died with nothing but his name.
There are always at least two sides to every story.
For every one of these that Casey does, I would bet my house that Gary Langendorf does 10. Gary does it humbly, too. That man should see sainthood one day.
They were not nice to us either when trying to deal with my mom’s passing. She went with Casey and they wouldn’t accept Assignment of her life insurance. They wanted me to pay upfront for everything and were charging “holding fees” per day. I went to Congdon in Zion and they were appalled. They took assignment and went back and forth with Casey a few days before they were able to go get her and start everything. FYI you don’t have to use a Wisconsin company just cause you live here (a lie they told me).
Years ago I was told by acquaintances who used Casey that Casey required FULL payment upfront, before anything happened. Is that still their policy?
If so, that’s despicable and disgusting. Having dealt with a few family members who needed funerals, payment was always after the entire process.
Sadly, we lost my nephew tragically and suddenly. It was a year ago last September. Our family was treated with kindness and compassion from Steve and his staff during that terrible time. Steve even helped our family change the service to a different church the day of the funeral. We had family members who wanted a more conventional church. Steve worked very hard to change everything just hours before the service. He went above and beyond to comfort my grief stricken family.
We will alway remember and appreciate his professionalism and kindness.
People downvote nice comments LOL yall just want drama
Hi Kevin you know who I am I can tell you privately what casey is like. He’s my relation. Troubles now. Ha. Get ahold of me.
Is that English?
My family has used Casey Family Options for three members of our family. In every instance we met with Steve, and in each case he was caring, sympathetic, understanding, and pragmatic, and spent all the time necessary to make arrangements. We were never rushed or subjected to up-selling; to the contrary, Steve made money-saving suggestions.
It is distressing to read these comments and know that most of them are made by people who have never dealt with Steve Casey or probably even heard of him; rather, they like to spew ugliness and venom.
It would be nice if a follow-up could be done on this article, detailing Casey Family Options’ side as I’m sure some interesting facts would be revealed. But Steve is too professional for that. He is not in the Jerry Springer business.
I think you missed the part where I wrote that I attempted to contact Steve and his business and he declined to comment. He had his chance to tell his side of the story and for whatever reason, one can only speculate, he declined. I’m not going to run a fluff piece based on his close friends who tell me how great he is. He had his chance and that was the only chance he got.
Not responding is the same as a no contest plea in court.
Good job, Kevin.
Steve Casey took care of my father when he passed. They were caring and compassionate during this difficult time.
Kevin I believe Representative Tod Ohnstad put Steve Casey on a state committee for funeral directors.
Even after he knew that his license was suspended one time.
Tod was Frank pacetti’s friend on City council. The corruption continues.
Pay $3k, get cremated and have a memorial party a year later. Funerals are shit and nobody enjoys attending them, so stop with these outdated ‘traditions’
Treated with respect and compassion during a very difficult time!
Appreciated the time and help we were given.
BTW
Maybe they didn’t reply, not feeling the need to justify, or they didn’t like this format.
When Icroak I will definitely go to Casey because he is good with stiffs
I leave — and read — a lot of reviews. I think there’s greater credibility when the reviews are honest and diverse. If you stay at a hotel and got a nice room you’re likely to say good things. Walk into one where someone was smoking weed, the linens are dirty and the shower is a joke and you’re going to write a different story. Both the good and the bad are both honest reviews. What I look for is a pattern. Do the positive reviews sound like they were written by an ad agency or the owner’s spouse? And is there a pattern to the negative reviews? Are the reviews specific? And what action was taken with respect to the review? All things to consider. It’s good to hear about the things that didn’t go well because, well, how will people ever know if there’s a third offense if they didn’t know about the first and second?
The response to a review can be instructive. Some canned fluff is downright insulting (“We’re glad you enjoyed how the door lock worked and will make sure your comments about the bedbugs are shared with our team.”). I prefer an honest response. I stayed at a Green Bay hotel, nothing too fancy, but the wifi was spotty. The response to my review was that they checked, found out the router was bad and put in a new one. No fluff, just facts.
Hopefully Mr. Casey will respond in some fashion.
Seems odd to have all this over $150.
That was my thought. I mean, the cheapest thing is a nonservice cremation and that can set a family back $3K. But $150? Request a name date service at your church for a celebration of life after the fact, but even that will probably come with a “donation request” service fee of $50 or 75.
The Caseys family and the owner are another example of thinking they are entitled, Just like the Steinbrink’s and many others that have held or hold a position of power.
The corruption off kenosha is in all forms and places at any given time .
There are only a few good funeral homes in kenosha
1.proko
2. Piasecki
3. hansen
4. kenosha funeral services
I have used Proko for both My parents and they are awesome and could not help me enough
I used Casey Family Options for both of my parents’ funerals. My mom was involved in planning hers, and she had specific requests that were met without question. I found all of their staff to be very sympathetic and compassionate. Steve was the director for my mom’s and Thomas first my dad’s. Both of their funerals were beautiful and reflective of their unique personalities. The staff helped make those difficult times in my life a little easier. I’m grateful for their help and care in celebrating the lives of those most important to me.
We used Casey Family Options for my father’s funeral and were treated with kindness and compassion. We chose to use his services again 2 years later for another family member. Not everything went smoothly, however Steve Casey went out of his way to make things right by our family. The funeral was not paid in full prior to the service due to misunderstandings between family. Steve did not hold this over our heads and made sure it wasnt addressed until days after the services concluded ; giving us time to grieve first. We used a “higher end”, funeral home when my mother passed away and eventhough some of the ammenities were nicer, the levels of compassion and respect were not notably different. I feel like I got what I paid for in both instances. Hopefully, Steve and other staff members take the reviews to heart and are continuing to provide compassionate care.
Thomas works for Remax
You can’t make everyone happy all the time and every business has some bad reviews. Steve Casey handled the funeral of my father and daughter. They were compassionate, professional and kind and treated us like family. They went out of their way to provide everything we wanted for our loved ones services. They thoroughly explained our options and met our needs. We are grateful for everything they did for us during the worst days of our lives.