Liquor Licenses for Funeral Homes: A New Trend?

More and more funeral homes are opting to allow mourners to buy alcohol on the premises

The funeral industry is experiencing an interesting trend — the rise of funeral homes seeking liquor licenses or adding bars. While we traditionally see funerals as somber events with tears, black clothing, and sentimental scriptures, this type of service has less and less relevance for many Americans today. Celebrations of life, with more light-hearted themes unique to the person, have become more common and can sometimes have the feel of a party rather than a funeral.  

In this changing environment, it makes sense that many funeral homes are seeking to cater to the demand and expand the celebratory options by offering alcoholic beverages in house. NBC News highlighted Kolssak Funeral Home in Illinois that received a license to serve alcohol. Now the funeral home boasts a half-bar, and families regularly choose Kolssak specifically for the celebratory atmosphere the alcohol facilitates. Mike Richards talked with NBC News about his experience celebrating his father Marvin’s life at Kolssak: “It’s such a great way to socialize and celebrate, obviously everything in moderation …  I’m surprised it has taken this long for this part of the industry to get going.”

But obtaining a liquor license is only the beginning for some funeral homes. Blount & Curry Funeral Home in Tampa, Florida, took things one step further by renovating a part of their funeral home to resemble a 1920s speakeasy. Speaking to the Tampa Bay Times, funeral director Bridgette Soto said, “We’re trying to make [funerals] more personalized, more focused on the deceased individual as a whole in terms of the interests they had and the life they led.” She described the speakeasy space as “essentially a bar… Sometimes having pews and stained glass and an organ isn’t conducive to every person.” Attendees can migrate from one part of the funeral home to the reception in the speakeasy space through a secret door hidden behind a portrait, where they are greeted by a charming bar space with green and gold wallpaper, black and white photos, and antique cash registers. Nothing about the space says funeral home, and that is exactly the point.

Offering a toast to the deceased may become a routine in funeral homes

But beyond just honoring the wishes of family and friends, granting liquor licenses to funeral homes can also be a matter of safety. Robert Justen, owner of Justen Funeral Home in McHenry, Illinois, also requested a liquor license from his local government. He shared that it’s a common occurrence for families to “tailgate” in the parking lot before or after funerals, offering toasts to their loved ones. He warned that because this drinking is more clandestine and is not regulated, families and friends can easily drink too much and wind up in a difficult situation if emotions run high. Or they may try to attend the funeral drunk, necessitating a call to security. Justen argued to local authorities that by allowing his establishment to serve alcohol to funeral attendees, he could provide a safer atmosphere for everyone involved.

For now, a funeral home with a bar attached remains an uncommon sight, but it could be the wave of the future.