"I got the idea from a funeral home out in California," Bernard told WHBQ-TV. "I thought it was something new. I thought it would be neat to add to the Memphis area. Just to add something unique to our funeral home."
Bernard said the drive-through viewings are offered for no extra charge to families who purchase a funeral package.
"Say a family has a visitation from 4 to 6. We would put their loved one in the drive-thru viewing area say around 1 o'clock and they will have a drive-thru viewing from 1 to 2:30," Bernard told WATN-TV.
He said four families have used the drive-through option so far, and all of the feedback has been positive.
"We've been getting rave reviews. We've had people actually just pull up drive-thru just had a curiosity they didn't even know the person who passed," he said.
Bernard said guests pull up to a window, where they sign in on an iPad and then receive up to three minutes of viewing time.
"Some people, they don't want to deal with the hassle, the chaos of a large funeral; parking, especially with inclement weather, so that was an extra convenience for those," Bernard said.
"You'll be surprised how many people who just can't stomach coming into a funeral home. They're scared so it offers convenience to those," Bernard said.
