New space design rooted in hospitality and healing while remaining true to its history
Plymouth Meeting, Penn. – Last week, Kirk & Nice Funeral Home in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, the nation’s oldest continually operating funeral home, unveiled a major renovation and with it, a new approach toward deathcare for Everstory.
With serene interiors, natural light and spaces for reflection and renewal, Kirk & Nice Funeral Home now offers families a place that honors life, supports grief and encourages new beginnings.
“Understanding the grief our families are experiencing, we wanted to create an atmosphere where they can feel relaxed and focus on celebrating the life of their loved one,” said Matt Sobon, senior vice president of operations, Everstory Partners. “Our new design allows families to gather in multipurpose rooms, experience nature both indoors and out, and embrace services that feel uniquely personal to them.”
After studying approaches to deathcare worldwide, Everstory Partners, the parent company of Memorial Planning, is committed to transforming funeral homes from impersonal, generic settings into warm, welcoming environments that feel both timeless and modern.
Highlights of the renovation include:
- A renewed entryway blending the comforts of home with natural elements for warmth and welcome.
- Outdoor gathering areas that foster quiet reflection, connection with nature, and spaces for conversation or meditation.
- A multifunctional community-inspired room for services, receptions, and personal celebrations of life.
- Technology integration throughout, offering intuitive tools for planning, personalization, and ceremony viewing.
Founded in 1761, Kirk & Nice holds a unique place in American history, and its renovation carefully preserves original features – from stained-glass to centuries-old antiques – while creating a forward-looking environment that serves today’s families.
“The significance of Kirk & Nice to the history of this industry and to this region is undeniable,” says Michaele Johnson, manager, Kirk & Nice Funeral Home. “For more than 250 years, we’ve been honored to serve this community. With these renovations, we’re ensuring that families will continue to find comfort and healing here for centuries to come.”
This October, Everstory Partners will also unveil the opening of the first cremation-only building in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Cemeteries at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Together, these milestones show how Everstory is shaping its funeral and memorial services for modern families – respectful of tradition but inspired by innovation and renewal.
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About Memorial Planning
Memorial Planning, the parent brand of Kirk & Nice Funeral Home, is a family-focused network of cemeteries and funeral homes, offering personalized end-of-life services. With over 450 locations, Memorial Planning providers proudly serve over 66,000 families a year.
Visit memorialplanning.com to learn more and for a list of locations.
About Everstory Partners
Everstory Partners’ mission is to create supportive spaces where individuals and families can find solace, meaning, and hope in the midst of loss. Since 1999, the company has grown to include 463 cemetery, funeral, and crematory locations serving more than 65,000 families a year across the United States (including Puerto Rico) on both a pre-need and at-need basis. Everstory is the brand promise, created in April 2023, to destigmatize death care with a unique blend of long-standing traditions of caring for the deceased with a fresh perspective that death is a natural and beautiful part of the human experience that should be planned and celebrated.
Visit everstorypartners.com to learn more and memorialplanning.com for a list of properties and contact information.
