History of Gulf Coast Wilbert

Gulf Coast Wilbert Inc. was established in 2001. Previously it was part of the Florida Wilbert organization. In November 2001, David and Denise Chapman purchased the ten counties in the Panhandle of Florida from Florida Wilbert. Since that day Gulf Coast Wilbert Inc. has become the premier vault company in Florida.

Gulf Coast Wilbert offers its products to funeral homes and cemeteries in the ten county areas in the Panhandle of Florida. Products include outer burial containers and the complete line of Wilbert burial vaults, Signet Caskets, monuments, and the full internment (gravesite setup) including the Wilbert Way Set-up. Also included in our offerings to the funeral homes and cemeteries is the complete array of Wilbert cremation products including urns, urn vault and complete graveside cremation services.

Our retail locations in Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola and Panama City offer an array of monuments, mausoleums and sandblast opportunities to the general public. On the commercial side, Gulf Coast Wilbert offers the big block concrete products to contractors, government agencies and home owners that want to erect concrete free-standing walls and sea walls.

Gulf Coast Wilbert Timeline:

  • 2001 Gulf Coast Wilbert opened for business.
  • 2003 Gulf Coast Wilbert purchased Pensacola Marble & Granite (monument company) in Pensacola, FL.
  • 2004 Gulf Coast Wilbert opened up office in Panama City.
  • 2005 Gulf Coast Wilbert purchased Ward Memorial (monument company) in DeFuniak Springs, FL.
  • 2006 Gulf Coast Wilbert dba Gulf Coast Monuments opened (monument company) Fort Walton Beach, FL.
  • 2009 Gulf Coast Wilbert erected 5000 square foot building in Crestview, FL to increase manufacturing space to 12,500 sq2.
  • 2010 Gulf Coast Wilbert remodeled and updated all offices and buildings
  • 2010 Awarded prestigious Ultimate Service Award
  • 2011 Awarded prestigious Ultimate Service Award
  • 2012 Gulf Coast Wilbert purchased Liveoak Memorial Park (cemetery) in Crestview, FL.
  • 2012 Gulf Coast Wilbert obtained the franchise for Signet Caskets.
  • 2012 Awarded prestigious Ultimate Service Award
  • 2013 110% Club Award (Recognition for exceptional sales in 2012)

During this tenure Gulf Coast Wilbert has received the Ultimate Service Award (the highest award that Wilbert Funeral Services offers). In 2010, 2011 and 2012 Gulf Coast Wilbert was the only Wilbert licensee to receive this award in the State of Florida. Also, during this time Gulf Coast Wilbert has won the 110% Club Award for recognition of exceptional sales in 2012. This award was presented to less than 5% of all Wilbert Licensee and Gulf Coast Wilbert was the only licensee in the State of Florida to win this award.

Contact us to learn more about Wilbert funeral services or to request a schedule of the upcoming continuing education classes for funeral professionals.


Areas Served

Gulf Coast Wilbert offers burial vaults and creamation urn products to 10 counties on the Gulf Coast:  Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington.


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Services

Set Up


Wilbert offers two types of burial set ups, Wilbert Way (WW) and Above Ground with Lowering Device (AL). Both set ups consists of an above ground seal and a lowering device, also known as The Wilbert Way Lowering Device. The difference in the two set ups is in the placement of the vault and the vault cover during the funeral service.

Grass & Chairs


Six pieces of grass and twelve folding chairs will typically cover a gravesite area and will be neatly arranged under the tents. Gulf Coast Wilbert manages the delivery, setup, and removal of the grass and chairs.

Tents


One 15x15 tents are set by Gulf Coast Wilbert at the gravesite for funeral services. The tents cover the burial area and provide a comfortable place for families to gather during the funeral. At the end of the funeral, the family tent is removed.

Nameplate


Nameplates give burial vaults a personalized touch. They are a standard feature of Continental vaults and above. For an extra charge, nameplates can be added to the Salute and Monticello burial vaults. The nameplate includes the name of the deceased and the birth and death dates.

Grave Digging & Disinterment


Gulf Coast Wilbert provides grave digging & disinterment services. Wilbert is fully equipped with Backhoe tractors. The grave digging service includes the opening and closing of the grave. Wilbert also provides a Hand Dug Grave service when necessary. If it becomes necessary to move a vault from one location to another, Wilbert can assist with these services. We handle everything from locating the vault to relocating the vault to a new location.

Vault Transfer


Vault Transfer is a service available between Wilbert franchises and dealers. Gulf Coast Wilbert uses the vault transfer service when a burial request has been made outside of the franchise territory. The location of the cemetery is needed to determine the appropriate Wilbert franchise or dealer. Since the services offered by each Wilbert franchise vary, the franchises work together on a per burial basis to determine the services, such as tents, grass, chairs, and grave digging, that each franchise will provide for the burial.


First Responders

When a hero falls, Wilbert is there.

Our “Commemorating First Responders” program provides families of firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel who have died in the line of duty with a tribute worthy of their valor and sacrifice.

At no charge to the family, Wilbert and our licensees donate a customized Wilbert Stainless Steel Triune® burial vault. If the choice is cremation, we offer a selection of four urns, as well as a Stainless Steel Triune urn vault for memorial tribute. If permitted, a WilbertWay® graveside service may also be included.

Join us as we help families honor heroic lives, sacrificed in valiant service to neighbor and community.

Contact your local funeral professional for more information.


Ultimate Service Provider

Wilbert Funeral Service in Chicago (corporate HQ) has awarded Gulf Coast Wilbert with "Ultimate Service Provider" for the tenth year in a row.

There are four service levels: Minimum Service, Basic Service, Premium Service, and Ultimate Service Provider. To be classified as an Ultimate Service Provider, one must receive at least 75 points out of 88 points; a higher score is attainable when bonus points are earned for exceptional achievements. Points are collected by category, including tents, chairs, greens, Wilbert Way, lowering device, vaults, employees, and trucks and delivery. Gulf Coast Wilbert surpassed the 75 points needed to obtain Ultimate Service Provider. Although we are proud of this accomplishment internally, it pleases us most that local families are the recipients of this service.