There's high emotion, crying, camaraderie, singing, sometimes personal confessions and drama, but are funerals and bars really that similar? An Ohio funeral director thinks so as he strives to become the first owner of the funeral home in the state with a liquor license.
Hunter Triplett, the owner of Evergreen Funeral Cremation and Reception in Columbus, Ohio, is trying to get a liquor license for his facility and here's why:
“My role in this position is to kind of be a party planner for the dead,” Triplett, told WSYX.
He said that if his funeral parlor has a bar, services will be "more of a celebration of life than more of the multi-day traditional services.”
Triplett added it's not just novelty, there's a safety component, too. While many a funeral service ends with family and friends heading off to each other's homes and to local restaurants and bar to raise a toast to their beloved, this would keep them on the premises. And they wouldn't be getting behind the wheel.
“We will only be serving alcohol when people are on this premises and remain on the premises until the continuation of the services just for the safety of the people in the community around,” said Triplett.
What he's seeking is a D3 license from the Ohio Liquor Control authorities, although there's no indication yet whether it will be approved. The license allows for the sale of beer, wine, and hard liquor for consumption on-site.
Triplett didn't discuss with local media how he'll price the bar, but he did say he's proud his family's funeral home keeps package prices low. He said their packages range from $5,000 to $6,000 compared to $10,000 and up at others.