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 [...]
Pre-arrangement question: Can I change funeral homes?

I have already pre-arranged my funeral services with another funeral home, can I change funeral homes? Yes, you can.
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 [...]
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
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 detail

Jaro L. Lepic

Jaro L. Lepic, 87, longtime resident of Iowa City, died Monday, May 14, 2012, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Friday, May 18, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. (Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for the streets near the church) Burial with Military Honors will be at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Thursday at Gay & Ciha Funeral Service, and after 11am Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Mercy Hospital in Iowa City or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent for Jaro’s family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com.

Walter H. Johansen

Walter Henry Johansen returned to his heavenly father on May 15, 2012.
Memorial services will be 4:30 p.m., Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with a time of visitation one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will take place following the service at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. Memorial contributions may be made to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch. Online condolences can be sent to Walter’s family through the web @www.gayandciha.com.

Himie Voxman

The University of Iowa will host a special Himie Voxman Celebration at 1 p.m. May 19 in the Main Lounge of the Iowa Memorial Union, 125 N. Madison St. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @www.gayandciha.com.

Ruby June Cox

Ruby June Cox, 87 of Iowa City died Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, May 21, 2012, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 pm Sunday at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established in Ruby’s memory. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com.

See Obituaries & Condolences for further details

Funeral Services that are Uniquely Caring

Glad You Asked

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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Can I change funeral homes?

I have already pre-arranged my funeral services with another funeral home, can I change funeral homes? Yes, you can. However, the money has to stay wherever the money was deposited until after the death occurs. Once the death occurs, the money can be transferred. You can also change the beneficiary. If you are dealing with [...]

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Cremation with a viewing?

Cremation offers a lot of options that traditional caskets and burial does not. Those options are really beneficial to family members when they are dealing with that death. They like the idea that you know what, “I can take a little bit of mom with me to California”…

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Caskets – Should People Pick Out Their Own?

When somebody comes and calls you and says “Don’t you think you should make some pre-arrangements?” I don’t think that is right. I think when you are ready you should come in.

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