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COVID-19 Information

OUR COVID-19 POLICY

During these difficult and unprecedented times of the COVID-19 virus, the health and safety of the families we serve is our main priority.

If you would like to make arrangements or speak directly with us, but prefer to be in the comfort of your own home, please call us at 401-821-7306 (in Coventry) or 401-596-2352 (in Westerly) and we will assist you over the phone. For those of you who need to reach me immediately, you may call me on my cell at 401-447-2790.

Please understand that as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, requirements from the RI Department of Health may also change, which in turn, would dictate what can be done within the funeral home and any other public gathering place.

Our caring staff of funeral professionals have always provided service, compassion, and comfort during a difficult time, and this time is no different. We will continue to be here and give you peace of mind in your time of loss, by handling all of the details and arrangements of your loved one’s funeral or cremation service, with complete professionalism, compassion, and care.

For over 80 years we have served families in our community and throughout Rhode Island. With 2 locations: Coventry, (which also includes a private Cremation Center) and Westerly, all offering personalized funeral, burial, or cremation services that are held with care, compassion, dignity and respect.

Our facilities have been upgraded and offer natural lighting through our windows and skylights, state of the art music sound systems, a large, well lit 100+ car parking lot and of course, comfortable seating for families, friends and the community.

It has always been an honor to serve you and we hope you and your family remains safe and healthy during this difficult time.

Alfred R. Menard, V

Funeral Director

Alfred R. Menard

Funeral Director/Registered Embalmer/Certified Cremationist/Notary Public

Born in 1964, Alfred grew up in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He attended New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences for Funeral Directing Service and is a third-generation funeral director with more than 31 years experience in the industry. He is the owner of and a Licensed Funeral Director/Registered Embalmer and Certified Cremationist at Gorton-Menard Funeral Home and Crematory. He also owns and operates the Rushlow-Iacoi Funeral Home and Crematory in Westerly, Rhode Island and recently opened the new Serenity Cremation Center, in Coventry - a crematory that offers a Family Gathering and Witness Room for those who would like to hold small memorial gatherings or participate in the process.

Al is a Committee Member on the Board of the Pawtuxet Valley Chamber of Commerce and a Member of the Pawtuxet Valley Preservation and Historical Society. He also is a member of the Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce and the Westerly Armory. He and his wife, Laura Wistow-Menard, have a son, Alfred Max Menard.

Telephone: 1-401-821-7306

Email:

David A. Poisson

Funeral Director/Registered Embalmer/Certified Cremationist/DNA Specialist/Notary Public

David A. Poisson, Rushlow-Iacoi Funeral Home and Crematory's Managing Funeral Director, is also a graduate of the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences and a native Rhode Islander. He brings over 25 years of experience in the funeral industry and provides the latest technical aspects to the funeral home.

David is a veteran of the United States Army and has served his country in the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea and served during the Gulf War. He was the recipient of the Multi-Cultural Leadership Award presented by Arthur Schlesinger, an aid to John F. Kennedy. He is a Licensed Funeral Director and Registered Embalmer in three states and is a past and present member of many New England Funeral Directors Associations. David is the Managing Funeral Director and a Certified Cremationist for Rushlow-Iacoi Funeral Home and Crematory in Westerly, RI and also assists with funerals and cremations at Gorton-Menard Funeral Home and Crematory and the Serenity Cremation Center, both located in Coventry, RI. He was a volunteer for the Rhode Island Medical Examiner's Office in the aftermath of the Station Nightclub Fire.

He is a proud member of the Westerly Veterans of Foreign Wars, Amancio-Falcone-Gaccione Post #8955 and serves as their Surgeon, the Westerly Knights of Columbus, Council #21, the H.W. Merrill American Legion Post #16 of Westerly, the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce, the Calabrese Society of Westerly, and the Westerly Armory. David, along with his wife Lindsay and son Theodore are residents of Westerly, RI and are all well known within the community. The Poisson family are all avid baseball fans.

Telephone: 1-401-596-2352

Email:

Laura Wistow

Funeral Service Manager/Marketing Director/Certified Cremationist/Notary Public

Laura Wistow, our Funeral Service Manager, oversees the general operations of the funeral home and crematory. She performs a wide variety of duties, such as planning and allocating the resources of the funeral home, handling administrative tasks and backend office projects, community events and programs, and coordinating marketing and public relations.

Laura also organizes our "Celebration of the Lives We Have Loved" holiday memorial service, in which we invite all of the families we have served and supported over the past year to come back to the funeral home for a non-denominational service which offers the care and support that so many need when they are going through such a difficult time during their first holiday without their loved one. Families have found this service to be very healing and uplifting at a time when it is most needed.

Laura graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1981 and Rhode Island School of Design in 1985. She has worked in the software and engineering industries prior to her calling to join the funeral homes. She is currently studying at the American Academy McAllister of Funeral Service towards her Funeral Director degree. She is a Certified Cremationist and a Notary Public. She and her husband, Al Menard, have a son, Alfred Max.

Telephone: 1-401-821-7306

Email: