Hanner’s supports families to the last detail

By Tim Emmons
temmons@casscountynow.com

Human beings handle emotions in different ways.
For many the hardest emotion to deal with is grief.
The loss of a loved one can leave a void in one’s life that no earthly being can fill, but the staff at Hanner Funeral Service is committed to helping families and individuals through their most difficult time and have done so since 1931.
“The families we serve, we approach as a ministry,” Owner Mike Hanner said. “Our family has been dedicated to serving families who have lost a relative or friend for four generations. Today we employ 20 people and each staff member contributes and plays a vital role in what we do.” 
“We support each family we serve to the last detail and we take care of every detail during their time of loss so it’s easier on the family,” Hanner stated. “If we take care of all of the little details then the family can focus just on the family.” 
With that outlook it’s no wonder why Hanner Funeral Service is one of Cass County’s oldest establishments, and is considered to be the longest running business in Atlanta with the same family ownership.
“My great-grandfather John Hanner and his brother Nath started the business 86 years ago and eventually my grandfather Hershel Hanner and my father Randy Hanner served as owners,” Hanner remarked. 
“Our funeral home was originally located on Louise Street but a year or two after opening the business moved to our current location.”
The Hanner family built its business on integrity, trust and compassion. For them it’s not just words, but their way of life.
“We live by Galatians 5:13, “but through love, serve one another” which is our mission statement,” Funeral Director Scott Carter said.
From beginning to end Hanner Funeral Service strives to take care of the families before, during, and after the funeral has taken place. 
That’s why in 2010 they built the Community Resource Center for Grief and Preventive Care into the building in the back where families enter from the parking lot.
“The section is full of literature on death and spiritual growth for those who have trouble dealing with the loss of a loved one,” Hanner said. “Our grief support groups are well attended and utilized, and we have built relationships and friendships through it. We feel it’s very important to let them know we are there for support especially those without any at all.”
The center also provides care notes and guest speakers which displays another step of commitment Hanner Funeral Service wants to take to help people facing a difficult journey.
The Grief Support Sessions are offered twice a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. These are open to the public with hopes of bringing comfort and healing to those going through a difficult time. 
“We don’t believe our job is over at the end of the service. That is why we built the grief center and started support groups,” Hanner stated.
Hanner’s also likes to recognize our veterans and have made a special commemorative video on their website. 
“We hired a filmmaker and have a couple of veterans speaking about their experiences,” Hanner said. “We like to capture what out veterans do for us and we take great pride in serving for their families when the time comes.”
There is a section in the back of Hanner Funeral Home created to commemorate our veterans.
Hanner’s gives you an array of options to make the funeral service more than just a good-bye but a unique memory to take with you. 
Hanner Funeral Service offers personalized visitations, tribute videos, personalized programs and allows you to choose the place of celebration, day of the week, time of day and musical selection. With many other options Hanner’s hopes to help families create the most meaningful and unique service to honor your loved one and to help you and your family begin the healing process. 
Aside from the business itself, Hanner Funeral Service has been involved in civic organizations such as Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and even the mayor’s position since its inception. 
“We have been involved and supportive of our town and surrounding communities since the beginning such as our local schools, businesses and hospitals,” Hanner said. “We have participated in city service, helped in the community and been a good business partner.”
“We have provided book covers to our local schools for more than 45 years,” Hanner continued. “We are also blessed to work with many pastors, ministries and churches.”
The Hanner family name has been a mainstay here in Atlanta for more than eight decades, and Hanner Funeral Service looks to provide the area with what has kept them in business for so long.
“People who are hurting and grieving entrust us with a lot,” Hanner said. “It’s a big responsibility and we take it very seriously.”