September 2020

Page A24 SEPTEMBER 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A mymortuarycooler.com Are you state compliant? The Fan Man, Inc. Fans Calendars Urns Register Books Dresses Advertising Specialties John Mannion “WhatEver You Need” 1-800-671-8280 Cell: 803-417-2940 Thefanman@comporium.net bankersadvertising.com/thefanman Bay Memorials 321 S. 15 th St. • Escanaba, MI 49829 • (906) 786-2609 • Fax (906) 786-2692 Zerbel’s www.baymemorialsbabycaskets.com infant Cremation containers Available in 10”, 20”, 30” Flannel Lined Unisex Juvenile Pattern White Corrugated Cardboard Beginning at $20.00 Appropriate For Viewing Grace Funeral & Cremation Services When You Need Us Most Here For You myASD.com 1-800-868-9950 T H E A N S W E R I N G S E R V I C E I N A C L A S S O F I T S O W N Continued from Front Page Below: Lounge (Before) Above: Refreshment Room (After) high school when her father passed away. She began college majoring in journalism, but soon realized her calling was as a funeral director. The couple worked for corporate-owned funeral homes for several years be- fore opening Grace Funeral & Cremation Services in Rockford in June of 2009. They rented that location for ten years before feeling as if they’d outgrown it. In November of 2018, they purchased a vacant build- ing that was a former Moose Lodge. The building had a bar, two banquet areas, and a bowling alley in the base- ment. The building features 19,000 square feet sits on six acres in a park-like setting with large oak trees and a verdant lawn. The move has allowed them to accom- modate non-traditional funerals, end-of-life celebra- tions and catered events. They officially moved into the new space in October 2019, almost a year after the purchase. It is now the largest funeral home facil- ity in the area. They can seat 650 people or 320 if tables are used. The size of the new building has been a blessing during the coro- navirus, allowing them to accept more people who can spread out in the space. They handle the set up and complete clean up to Cov- id-19 standards. They offer drive through visitations or can have the family in an area separate from visitors arriving in small groups. In addition to the bowl- ing alley that remains in the building, there is a cof- fee lounge with tables and Formica school chairs. “The whole room is furnished with reclaimed items,” Kristan says. They tried to put money into the area by furnishing with local items. There is a lunch area where alcohol can be served if de- sired. They turned a console TV into a fish tank and a liquor holder now displays plants. They have many items that honor the histo- ry of the building itself. “There’s even a park with a playground next door for little kids,” says Kristan. “It’s a perfect location for parents to take antsy chil- dren during a funeral ser- vice.” While the play- ground is not part of the property, it is located next to the funeral home and available for public use. The McNames have big plans for Grace Funeral & Cremation Services. “We intend to keep the bowl- ing alley,” Kristan says. “It can be used for home school and scout tours and to bring the commu- nity into the building. Our goal is to demystify the fu- neral service. It’s a normal Continued on Page A30