When you find the career you are meant to have, things naturally fall into place. That’s been the experience of Carl Jenkins, owner of Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Carl and his wife, Lori, believe this family owned funeral home is their true calling, and you will find that they are perfectly suited in experience, commitment, and personality to serve your family with care and compassion.

From the moment a phone call is received, any hour of the day or night, Carl and Lori attend to the family with answers to every question and supportive suggestions on how to move forward. They are there to provide a comforting, memorable and affordable remembrance.

A FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS
An independent family business, Jenkins Funeral Home differs from many corporate funeral homes in the area. “I’ve worked in both independent homes and corporate, and I know that here I am much better able to meet our families’ immediate needs,” Carl says. “Because we live here, we’re able to develop unique services that suit this community. I can make decisions for each family in such a way that they receive exactly what they need without delay, in an affordable manner.”

Indeed, Carl’s many years of experience serve him well at Jenkins. He and a partner opened Catawba Funeral Home in 1987. When that business was sold in 1992 to Stewart Enterprises, a funeral home franchise based in Louisiana, Carl was promoted with the company. As vice president of funeral operations, Carl travelled extensively, managing 32 homes in four states. The life-changing lesson he learned during that time was how a large corporation is often not compatible with family-oriented funeral arrangements. “Carl and I are personally involved with each family who comes to us,” Lori shared. “We chose this career path because we’re committed to supporting families when they need it the most. This wasn’t a decision made because we inherited a funeral business from our parents or because we needed a job.”

Carl received mortuary training at Fayetteville Community College in 1978. He’s a graduate of N.C. Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount. He has served as district director and board member of the N.C. Funeral Directors Association and currently serves on many local boards. Lori graduated from Fred T. Foard High School. She obtained her insurance license and has extensive insurance and administrative experience.

CAREER INSPIRATION
Carl’s decision to enter the funeral profession was a personal one. “I remember when my dad died. I was 16, and it was Christmas Eve. Neighbors came to see my mom and bring food, but Mom was inconsolable. I watched Mom when the funeral director knelt down beside her and spoke to her. I don’t know what he said, but it was like he’d sprinkled fairy dust on her–she started smiling and talking to our guests,” Carl remembers. “I imagine he told Mom that she could rely on him to help her through this journey; that she could count on him. That made a huge impression on me. I’ll never forget that.”

EXPERIENCE, SERVICE, ATTENTION TO DETAIL
DuRay (D.R.) Lutz has worked with Carl and Lori in their funeral home since early last year. He is well known in the community as a former license examiner with the DMV, and as a long-time funeral director at Catawba Funeral Home. “I don’t worry about a family when D.R. is working,” Carl says with a smile.

“Most people have never gone through an occasion like this,” says D.R. “We listen, pay close attention, and guide them so their wishes are achieved, even when they don’t know exactly what their wishes are. Families share with us, and we learn who this person is who has died. We help the family plan a celebration of their life.”

There are many decisions to be made about arrangements to suit the deceased and the family. Each life should be celebrated, but they are celebrated in different ways. A traditional funeral service with burial is just one option. “Some people don’t realize that cremation does not preclude having a funeral service with viewing, a burial, or memorial service,” Carl explained. “Folks should explore and understand all their options. Our unique facilities can accommodate all types of services.”

Carl sometimes thinks it was his reasonable price that led someone to select his funeral home, but more often folks say it was because he said the right things and provided more information. Carl recently conducted a survey that indicated his prices are very reasonable. “It surprised us, but as a family owned business, we know our overhead is less,” Carl explained. “The name on the sign is who will serve you.” Carl and Lori’s 23 year-old son, Ben, will soon join the business full time when he finishes training in Fayetteville.

Jenkins Funeral Home is located in the former Startown First Baptist Church. The newly renovated chapel is warm and welcoming, the largest funeral home chapel in the county. Sunday school rooms have been beautifully redesigned as receiving halls and private visitation rooms. There are plans for an enlarged foyer, three additional visitation rooms, a new receiving hall/multi-purpose room and outdoor pavilion.

UNIQUE SERVICES FOR DIVERSE FAMILIES
Lori and Carl take pride in serving all families, regardless of financial need, culture or religion. They serve diverse communities in our area. “The Hmong people of Laos were our allies in the Vietnam War. Burke and Catawba counties hold the fourth largest population of Hmong in the country,” Lori explained. "They have funeral traditions that we are pleased to accommodate. For instance, they may bring 200 or more people to the service who will want to stay for 24 hours. The Startown Gathering Center, formerly the fellowship hall, is perfect for these families.” The Hmong also require custom made caskets that Carl offers. “We know that many in the Hispanic and Romanian communities are very comfortable with our funeral services,” Carl says. “Because of our unique facility–over 15,000 square feet–we can accommodate just about anyone. There are so many ways to celebrate life.” The Gathering Center, with its own catering kitchen, is available at no extra charge for meals or community gatherings.

Families want to understand all their options when there is a death, from music, video tributes, full-color bulletins, military honors, to pre-planning and all attendant services. A visit to the website, www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net, will answer your questions, and a phone call will uncover more. On the website there are details about funeral service options and their costs; the transferring/saving of existing pre-planned funeral arrangements; the Startown-Jenkins Cemetery, with its green burial opportunities and lovely Garden of Angels section for infants; merchandise choices for every possible budget and preference, as well as details about the facility, insurance claims, pet cremation and more.

IT’S ABOUT PEOPLE
Truly, it’s the people who make Jenkins Funeral Home the special place that it is. Carl, Lori, D.R. and their staff take their jobs very seriously because they realize they are caring for your loved ones. “This is a mission for us,” Lori told me. “We pray for our families and treat them as our own, with dignity and respect.” Exceptional professional service, affordable to all, with all details attended to by caring, compassionate people–this is what we all want when funeral services are required. You couldn’t put your family in any better hands.

Carl and Lori Jenkins
Jenkins Funeral Home
& Cremation Service
4081 Startown Rd • Newton
828-464-1555