The historic chapel at what was formerly Shepherd Funeral Home has been revitalized with state-of-the-art video screens, contemporary lighting, and tasteful new décor, marking a new era for the Church Street facility.
By Bill Moss
James E. “Jimmy” Altmeyer Jr., the new proprietor, recently provided a comprehensive tour of the extensively renovated Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Home. While the exterior maintains its familiar façade, the interior has undergone a complete transformation, boasting modern upgrades and enhanced amenities.
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The comprehensive refurbishment includes new flooring, updated lighting fixtures, fresh paint throughout, a completely remodeled kitchen, redesigned reception and visitation areas, and modernized restroom facilities. Notably, the chapel has been brought into the digital age with significant technological enhancements.
“We’ve installed televisions to facilitate video presentations, acknowledging the growing preference for visual tributes,” Altmeyer explained. “We have incorporated dual screens in the chapel to effectively display video memorials for families.”
Altmeyer acquired the Church Street Funeral Home in May of last year, securing the property with a $2,025,000 bid at a foreclosure auction held at the courthouse. This acquisition marked the culmination of a protracted period of decline for the establishment, which had been in operation since 1903. The North Carolina Board of Funeral Service had previously revoked the funeral director’s license of Tom Shepherd in December 2021, following an investigation into multiple consumer complaints and violations of funeral service practices dating back to 2018. Tragically, Tom Shepherd passed away due to severe depression shortly after the state issued the final order mandating the closure of the business founded by his grandfather. Shepherd Memorial Park, which, like the funeral home, had been the subject of numerous consumer grievances, is currently under receivership and managed by a court-appointed administrator.
James E. “Jimmy” Altmeyer Jr. spearheads the company initiated by his great-grandfather in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1917. Altmeyer Funeral Homes and Crematory currently manages a network of over 40 funeral homes along the East Coast, including Shuler Funeral Home and Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hendersonville, and Mountain View Cremation & Funeral Care in Arden.
Under Altmeyer’s stewardship, the business will operate under the name Church Street Funeral & Cremation. However, Altmeyer expressed hope that an agreement could be reached with Melody Shepherd, Tom Shepherd’s widow, to purchase the rights to the Shepherd name.
“We needed to develop a new brand identity,” Altmeyer stated. “Our initial aspiration was to reach an accord that would allow us to retain the Shepherd Funeral Home name, but thus far, we haven’t been successful in that endeavor. We remain hopeful that a resolution can be achieved in the future.”
Enhanced Space for Visitation and Gatherings
Reflecting evolving trends in the funeral industry, Church Street Funeral & Cremation has reallocated space within the facility to prioritize reception and visitation areas. This adjustment acknowledges the reduced emphasis on casket display rooms due to the increasing prevalence of online arrangements and cremation services.
“We have moved away from dedicating an entire room to showcasing 30 or 40 caskets, a practice that was previously common here and in many of our funeral homes,” Altmeyer noted.
A newly constructed catering kitchen is equipped with modern appliances, including refrigerators, a freezer, an icemaker, a dishwasher, a range, and an oven.
“This upgraded kitchen allows families to bring in refreshments and host receptions on-site. For families choosing cremation services who wish to hold a life celebration in the chapel followed by a reception, the facilities are now perfectly suited to accommodate their needs,” he elaborated.
Families have the option to manage catering arrangements themselves or engage a caterer. Church Street Funeral & Cremation will also establish partnerships with local catering services to offer comprehensive, all-inclusive arrangements for grieving families who prefer a full-service approach.
The interior design now features a brighter and more welcoming ambiance.
“The lighting throughout has been completely replaced, as the previous fixtures cast a very dim and somber light. It was quite dark inside,” Altmeyer remarked while entering the chapel area. “Contemporary preferences lean towards brighter environments. When individuals come to a funeral home, they are already experiencing grief, and a dark, gloomy atmosphere is the last thing they need.”
Altmeyer also mentioned ongoing efforts to negotiate the acquisition of the northernmost section of the parking lot from Melody Shepherd. This parcel, which was not included in the foreclosure sale, is currently utilized to park Shepherd funeral home vehicles.
Reassuring Pre-Need Contract Holders
The North Carolina Board of Funeral Service proactively contacted approximately 400 holders of pre-need funeral contracts early last year to provide guidance and reassurance during the transition period. Now that the renovations are complete, Church Street Funeral & Cremation is prepared to directly communicate with these families. Funeral directors will be reaching out to pre-need contract holders to convey the message: “We have successfully reopened the downtown facility as Church Street Funeral & Cremation, and we would be honored to fulfill your pre-arranged plans at our revitalized location.”
Altmeyer emphasized that North Carolina state law allows families complete freedom of choice in selecting a funeral home, extending beyond the Altmeyer-owned facilities in the area.
“Families are entitled to choose any funeral home they prefer,” he stated. “We are particularly keen to welcome back those who had pre-arranged their services here. We are confident that upon seeing the extensive renovations, they will recognize this as the premier funeral home in Henderson County. There simply isn’t another facility that compares.”
Altmeyer reiterated his desire to potentially incorporate the Shepherd name into the business’s branding, acknowledging the enduring legacy of Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and their century-plus of service to the community.
“This funeral home represents a 120-year tradition for many in this community, and should Mrs. Shepherd grant us the privilege and opportunity to collaborate, we are committed to upholding the Shepherd name with the utmost dedication and excellence. We sincerely hope that we can find a way to work with her on this if she is open to the possibility,” he expressed. “That remains my aspiration. And perhaps it will come to fruition. In the meantime, our immediate course of action is to establish ourselves under a different name.”
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For further details or to schedule a personal tour of the renovated facilities at Church Street Funeral Home, please visit churchstreetfuneral.com or contact us at 828-309-0103.
