Helping Families Say Goodbye

What kind of a memorial or funeral event would you want for yourself or a loved one? An afternoon ice cream social or an evening wine and cheese gathering? A beach-themed funeral complete with a seafood buffet and flip-flops with a seaside scattering of ashes? Dennis Sparks says, “It can be done." Dennis is the Managing Director of the only funeral home on Marco Island, Hodges-Josberger Funeral Home.

“My goal is to help families create a personalized memorial or funeral service that reflects the individual. Sometimes it’s following the customs of different religions and cultures. Other times it’s about creating a unique celebration based on the person’s legacy, lifestyle, passions, or personality.

“I try to find out as much as I can about the individual to be remembered so that I can help the family plan the service,” Dennis explains. “I’ve planned some that were more of a party, with caterers and a full bar and people sharing memories to more serious, formal programs.”

Dennis says the priority is creating an atmosphere that is uplifting to the family. “I’ve presided over outings on the Marco Princess with a scattering of ashes on the water or a flower toss at the end of the cruise. And I’ve done small, simple graveside funerals. It’s never a cookie-cutter event.”

Dennis also is a Certified Celebrant, trained to officiate over milestone ceremonies. He says it’s a calling to make the farewell to a loved one meaningful and memorable.

“Some people have never given it much thought and they are overwhelmed with decisions, or they don’t know what their loved one would have wanted. I try to develop a relationship with the family, so they know I truly care and want everything to go well. Because you’ve got one opportunity to get it right.”

What is more distressing than arranging the funeral of a loved one? The loss itself is devastating and making decisions is daunting. That’s why Dennis recommends pre-planning, perhaps prepaying a funeral, even your own. 

“If you and your loved ones design the desired program, when the time comes, you just need to make one phone call, to me, to get the process started. At such an emotional time, the bereaved can concentrate on people and substance, not bothersome details such as whether to use plastic or glass, arranging tables and chairs, and such.”

And distance is not a problem. Dennis has arranged ceremonies all over Collier County, the country, and the world. “I’ve gone to Europe, shipped remains into and out of countries, such as Germany, Mexico, Columbia. I’ve gone to England and Scotland to oversee arrangements.”

And size is not a challenge, either. Dennis says his largest gathering was a couple hundred people at the funeral home, standing room only. “Any larger and we need a different venue, a hotel or country club, with more parking.”

 The smallest? “Just the widow, myself, and the cemetery manager here at the Marco Island Cemetery.”

“During Covid, sadly I had to perform a funeral for someone whose family couldn’t travel here. My assistant documented the ceremony with photos and recordings so the family could appreciate the event and have some closure.”

Because of Covid, Dennis perfected telephone conferencing and funeral planning via Zoom or WebEx. “I still can use the same visuals and materials I show here in the conference room. And with email and DocuSign, we can process the paperwork electronically.”

Dennis also can provide video recordings and live streaming of any ceremony. 

Dennis is a Marco Island resident originally from Bloomington, Indiana. He is a 30-year professional funeral director and an industry leader. “I strive to provide compassionate, professional, and personal service. I serve every family and I work every service. Funerals are for the living, but they are celebrating the life of the deceased.”

For more information, contact Dennis Sparks, Hodges-Josberger Funeral Home, 239-394-7573.