Heidrick Funeral Home officially closes Elizabethtown location

ELIZABETHTOWN | After 197 years of serving the community, the owners of Heidrick Funeral Home have ultimately decided to close its location in town. Last April, a devastating early-morning fire destroyed the historical building built in 1902. Originally, owners Jerod and Chris Heidrick were working with a team of architects and engineers to construct a new building on site, but ultimately, they decided not to rebuild. "Over the past several months, we have carefully explored every possible option to rebuild and continue operations. Unfortunately, due to excessive and unsustainable construction costs, rebuilding is no longer a viable path forward," as stated on the Heidrick Funeral Home Facebook page. "We have redesigned the building several times, looked at existing properties, and even considered the option of relocating the firm to other areas, all unsuccessfully. We have invested a significant amount of time and money to design a building that would meet all requirements and codes, but as construction costs continue to rise, it is simply no longer feasible." The official closing date is May 1. However, the Heidrick Funeral Home will continue to serve local families through their Au Sable Forks and Plattsburgh locations. "For families who have prearrangements with our Elizabethtown location, please know that your arrangements are safe and will continue to be honored. In the coming days, you will receive detailed information outlining the next steps," as stated on the Heidrick Funeral Home Facebook page. "We will also personally assist anyone who wishes to transfer their prearrangements to another funeral home or keep their arrangements with us through our Au Sable Forks location." Heidrick Funeral Home is believed to be one of the oldest continually operating family-owned funeral homes in the state and the entire country, with 196 years of operation. According to the funeral home's website, the company's history began in 1829 when Jacob Allen founded W.M. Marvin's Sons, a cabinet and furniture business. Back then, cabinet and furniture makers were known to build coffins, which would later become elaborate caskets, on the side. This business was no exception and eventually expanded to include an undertaking business in 1841 when Edgar Marvin married Allen's daughter, Susan. "The original funeral home building burned in 1843, and from what I've found, I believe it was originally right across the street," Jerod said in a previous interview with The Sun. "Then this was built in 1902." The firm's ownership transferred to family members over seven generations until it was sold to Jay Heald in July 2014. On Aug. 21, 2023, the Heidricks purchased this firm and the second Heald Funeral Home in Plattsburgh, which was founded in 2006. The Heidricks also own the Heidrick-Zaumetzer Funeral Home, which they purchased in 2018. "We want to recognize the Marvin family, who owned and operated the firm for seven generations, and Jay Heald, who purchased it after there were no successors within the Marvin family. Chris and Jerod Heidrick purchased the firm from Jay in August 2023," as stated on the Facebook page. "While they only owned it for a short time, they were welcomed into the community with open arms and will be forever grateful." For more information or updates, visit heidrickfuneralhome.com or check out the Facebook page.

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Heidrick Funeral Home officially closes Elizabethtown location

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