A funeral home owner in Ohio recently applied for… Liquor license He said the move has sparked a conversation among funeral industry insiders as they look to make their venues more attractive to the family and friends of the deceased.
Hunter Triplett, owner and CEO of Evergreen Funeral, Cremation and Reception in Columbus, Ohio, told Fox News Digital that he grew up in the cemetery business and has been exposed to a variety of funeral homes over the years.
One thing he kept noticing was that people often went there from the funeral or memorial service Bar, restaurant Or an event space to continue honoring loved ones.
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“The idea of a liquor license is so we can have a champagne (toast) on behalf of a loved one, as well as, you know, if someone has Signature cocktail “They were always seen with them,” Triplett said.
Evergreen Funeral, Cremation and Reception, scheduled to open in 2025, is located on the site of a former chocolate factory, Triplett told Fox News Digital. He said there was “ample space” inside the building for a reception after the memorial service.
An Ohio funeral home owner wants to offer consumers the opportunity to have a champagne toast or something similar in honor of their deceased loved ones. (Istock)
He continued: “The idea was to stand out among other funeral homes in the region by providing services like this.”
facility too It has a “strong” kitchen.Which means catering for funeral parties will also be available.
“It's a reception center inside a funeral home,” he said.
“I think you have to follow what the consumer says.”
to talk For families For the recently deceased, Triplett found that “a lot of them like to celebrate life. They like the human aspects of the way a funeral goes.”
“And I think you have to follow what the consumer says.”
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He said the response to media attention regarding his liquor license application has been overwhelmingly positive, both from Central Ohio residents and others in the funeral industry.
“Other funeral professionals have asked me, ‘How can I do the same thing you do?’” Triplett told Fox News Digital.
The Ohio funeral home will also include a reception center, its owner and CEO said. (Istock)
Fox News Digital has reached out to the National Funeral Directors Association for comment.
Some other funeral homes said they had success making alcohol available for mourners Family members and friends.
“It's not a potion and beer. It's a boost.”
John Kolesak, owner of Kolesak Funeral Home in Wheeling, Illinois, north of Chicago, told Fox News Digital that he recently began creating mimosa memorials at the request of clients.
“It's not about focusing on the alcoholic beverages that are served,” Kolesak said. “It's about celebrating a life well lived.”
Kolssak bar and catering company can be relocated Handles drinks So he and his team can focus on what they do best.
A bar with alcoholic beverage options is available at Kolssak Funeral Home in Wheeler, Illinois. (John Kolesak)
“It's not a shot and a beer,” Kolesak said. “It's a boost.”
Triplett also noted that the idea is not to turn the funeral home into a bar.
“So there are funeral ceremonies and memorial ceremonies. Funeral ceremonies take place where the body is present and memorial ceremonies take place where the body is not present,” he said.
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“A lot of families don't feel more comfortable with an open casket, and a lot of them have an urn in the front and they kind of say the last word.”
This would be the kind of informal environment where Tape “It will be available,” he said.
However, alcohol will not be available if the family chooses to do a series of events at different locations, such as a visitation, funeral and then burial.
One funeral home owner said other funeral industry professionals have reached out to him to inquire about obtaining their own liquor licenses. (Istock)
“We will not provide (alcohol service) because people He will drive From one facility to another,” he said.
“The only time it will be provided is when the services provided at this facility and in (these) buildings remain only until the end.”
Families can also choose not to serve alcohol if they don't want to have it at a memorial service, Triplett said.
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“The bar is on wheels,” he said. “We can throw it away if someone is uncomfortable with it.”
“It's not the norm” to serve alcohol at a funeral home — and that comes with the risk of suggesting a bar or party atmosphere, Diane Gottesman, an etiquette expert and founder of the Texas Protocol School in San Antonio, told Fox News Digital.
“Having an open bar at the funeral home sets a different tone.”
“Having an open bar at the funeral home sets a different tone,” she said.
Triplett confirmed it was a traditional funeral home.
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“We only provide food and beverage services that enhance and assist the personal aspect of the funeral service,” he said.
Evergreen Funeral, Cremation and Reception has not yet been approved for a liquor license, according to the Ohio Alcoholic Beverage Control permit database.
Three other Ohio funeral homes, which also have on-site event space for receptions, were previously granted liquor licenses, according to the Ohio Alcoholic Beverage Control database.
