Community Support & Resources

Iowa City/Coralville Support Groups Bereavement Support Following a patient’s death, Iowa City Hospice bereavement staff is available to support surviving family members and friends throughout the grieving process. Iowa City Hospice bereavement support services are also available to individuals throughout our service area (Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine and Washington counties) who are grieving [...]
The Fishing Trip – Aftercare Reading

by Brian Hansen My grandfather died when I was only seven years old: that is more than 50 years ago. I remember him, but it is a cloudy memory for the most part with but one exception. The one crystal clear image I have of him is of a confrontation we had only weeks before [...]
Now you can tell us – How did we do?

To help us continue to improve our service we want to hear your feedback. Please provide any comments, concerns or suggestions you may have.
The Little Gold Heart

Our funeral home has always believed that everyone deserves to be cared for in a respectful and loving manner, whether the death is of an elderly person who has enjoyed many years of life or it’s that infant child that never took a breath in this world. We have for many years provided services to [...]
Reviews

We loved the atmosphere… It felt more like someone’s home. I felt you really cared. Thank you for everything. You were invaluable in helping my brother and me achieve a beautiful memorial service. You were easy to work with, accommodating and picked up
What do I say at the time of a death?

by Louanne Stanton Recently, I have encountered two families that have experienced the loss of a close family member. The circumstances of each death were unique, yet the two families shared in common a great depth of grief. In each situation, I was keenly aware of the need to just listen to them. When a [...]
Welcome to Our Website and a Brand New Look

For those who are our faithful, regularly checking our site for recent obituaries and wanting to write a condolence note to families of those who recently died, you can still do this, that hasn’t changed. What has changed is the look. Much more information is now available to those looking for simple answers to difficult [...]
A Greener Funeral and Burial Provider

We are proud to be listed as a voluntary participant in aGreenerFuneral.org. We have demonstrated a commitment to greener funeral care by offering families a selection of meaningful, environmentally-sustainable services and products. We encourage you to discuss with us your specific requirements (preferably in advance of need) so we can help you create the most [...]
Finding Something to Notice

by Susan Smith Todd Beamer was one of the men who helped take down September 11’s Flight 93 in Pennsylvania, keeping it from hitting its intended target, the White House. When his widow, Lisa Beamer, appeared on Good Morning America, spoke of missing most the little things about Todd…hearing the garage door open when he [...]
Uniquely Caring in Iowa City

What does it mean to be uniquely caring? Dan Ciha talks about it in his own words.

What to do when death occurs…

Don’t know what to do first? Let us help. When a death occurs, emotions often override clear thought. In an effort to assist you, we have provided a list of some of the important information needed when making the arrangements. You will find it helpful to review this information prior to meeting with one of [...]

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Funeral & Cremation

The funeral gives us permission to grieve and help us appreciate the connections our loved one had established with others. Funeral visitations provide a chance to talk and share stories and memories. We gather with family and friends and say, “This life was important, this life touched mine.” Planning a funeral can be a stressful [...]

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Why choose Gay & Ciha?

What does it mean to be uniquely caring? It’s more than a job. It’s more than another funeral. It really is every family. That person who died is a life. To me we should remember the life of that individual in a unique way. We pride ourselves about thinking every service is unique and those [...]

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Current Funeral Services

See Obituaries & Condolences for further details

Ernest M. Nicholas

Ernest M. Nicholas, 81 of Coralville died Tuesday, May 21, 2013. A time for family and friends to gather will be held from 1 to 3 pm Saturday, May25th at his and Carol’s home at 5 Kelsey Ct. in Coralville followed by a graveside service with military honors at 4pm at Ridgewood Cemetery in North Liberty. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ http://hosting-3320.tributes.com/show/Ernest-Nick-M.-Nicholas-95865425

Jeannette “Jean” Scott Power

Jeannette “Jean” Scott Power, the daughter of George F. Scott and Mary Simpson Hope, was born on August 14, 1915 in Newton, Iowa. She graduated from Newton High School in 1933 and attended Drake University. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton, with the Reverend John Duling officiating. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the John X. and Jean Scott Power Memorial Scholarship Fund, Newton Dollars for Scholarship. P.O. Box 1492, Newton, Iowa. Private family interment services have been held at the Newton Union Cemetery in Newton, Iowa. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ http://hosting-3320.tributes.com/show/Jeanette-S.-Power-95814784 Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City cared for Jean’s family and arrangements.

Earl Bernard Horras

Earl Bernard Horras died Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at St Luke’s Hospice Center in Cedar Rapids, IA. Earl has donated his body to the University of Iowa for research. There will be a celebration honoring his life after a short pause to mourn and reflect. A Memorial Mass is scheduled for 12:00 Noon on Saturday, July 6th, 2013, at Mother Cabrini Church in Richland, IA, with a meal afterwards. Earl’s body will be cremated and the ashes interred at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield, IA. The date is yet to be determined. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ http://hosting-3320.tributes.com/show/Earl-B.-Horras-95868939

See Obituaries & Condolences for further details

Funeral Services that are Uniquely Caring

Glad You Asked

Can women be casket bearers?

Yes, women can be. Grandchildren can be. Anyone you designate can be a casket bearer. What’s cool is it involves the family. Even though it’s very difficult emotionally for people to carry their grandpa or their father, or whomever, to the grave it’s also something they can do that nobody else can do for them. [...]

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Funeral Procession

When I see a funeral possession coming down the road, while I’m driving, should I pull over to the side of the road? Yes, out of respect for the person who has died and also for their family, pull over. It means a lot to them to know that the community cares enough to stop [...]

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No Soliciting

Why am I receiving postcards in the mail and solicitations to make funeral arrangements from funeral homes that I am not familiar with? Some funeral homes have prearranged funeral counselors on staff. It is their job to go out and contact people through mail, telephone or in person and solicit future business. Some funeral homes [...]

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Rescheduled funeral

Has it ever happened that you’ve had to reschedule a funeral due to weather? In light of today’s snow storm everyone thinks of school getting cancelled and I wondered if it ever affected planned funerals. I have. Five times in my 32 years as a licensed funeral director. It has to be really, really bad, [...]

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Burial with wedding ring

My mother was married to my father for 61 years and never took off her wedding band. Can we bury her with it or do we have to take it off before burial? You can remove any jewelry you want from the deceased before the burial. You may choose to have it on during the [...]

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Evening Funeral Service

We recently attended an evening funeral service at your funeral home and appreciated the atmosphere surrounding the service. Is this something new? Yes. More families are finding that they like the option of having services in the evening. It allows more people to be in attendance for the services. They don’t have to alter their [...]

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What if death occurs away from home?

Always call your local funeral home. Always. They will make all of the arrangements no matter where the death occurs. Overall, it’s less trouble and imparts fewer burdens on the family. It is also less expense if you involve one funeral home from the onset and let them make all the contacts. Click here [...]

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Do you offer reception facilities for families?

Yes, we do. We have facilities here that can comfortably accommodate 75 people. We work with all the local caterers and have them come in and cater for us. It simply allows families to have a reception if they don’t want to go someplace else they can do everything here at the funeral home. [...]

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Ask

The funeral home industry is a bit of a mystery for most people. We don’t think it should be. In this column Dan Ciha, funeral director and owner, answers your questions. Look, if you’re thinking of it chances are someone else is too. Most people only get one chance to ask questions of a funeral [...]

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Children’s questions about funeral services

We recently attended a funeral service with our 10-year-old son. After viewing the deceased in the casket our son asked the question, “Does the man have his pants on since we can’t see his legs?” Whenever you are talking with children, be honest with them. If you don’t know the answers, it’s okay to say, [...]

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