PRESS RELEASE
Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care and Beach Funeral Homes Bring Six Locations into the Company
Orlando, FL – Foundation Partners Group, a leading provider of innovative funeral and cemetery experiences and products, has announced that the company has acquired Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care and Beach Funeral Homes along Florida’s Space Coast. The Ammen acquisition adds four locations in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Rockledge, and Titusville, FL. The Beach acquisition includes two facilities located in Indian Harbour Beach and Melbourne, FL.
“We’re pleased that the Ammens and the Vieiras have chosen to join the Foundation Partners family,” commented Bob Bukala, Foundation Partners Group President and CEO. “Since their locations are in our ‘backyard’, we are keenly aware of both firm’s unwavering dedication to provide personal, first-class service to each of the families they serve. They make great additions to the Foundation Partners network.”
George W. Ammen opened South Brevard Funeral Home in 1971 and was joined by his son, Michael in 1973. After a decade in business, George and Michael opened East Coast Cremation in 1981, followed by the Palm Bay Funeral Home in 1984, and Space Coast Crematory in 1994. In 2011, the company changed its name to Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care. Over the years, the company has grown into a leading provider of cremation and funeral services in Brevard County, FL.
“As I was exploring my succession plan options, I wanted to ensure that I evaluated all aspects of the sale – not only for my sake but also for the benefit of my staff,” said Michael Ammen, owner of Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care. “What intrigued me about Foundation Partners was they had the best of both worlds – a smaller company feel and the corporate infrastructure to help streamline day-to-day operations and support future growth. Being a larger organization, they also provide opportunities for my employees that just are not possible as a privately-owned firm.”
Mannie and Isabel Vieira opened Beach Funeral Homes in 2008 after purchasing an existing firm that had been founded in the early 1980s. Isabel served as the firm’s first licensed funeral director, and their son, Chris, joined shortly thereafter upon receiving his degree in mortuary science.
“As we began to research options on succession planning, we heard many good things about Foundation Partners Group,” stated Isabel Vieira. “Starting with our very first contact, we could tell that they were focused on our interests and committed to guiding us along the way. We were all encouraged that Foundation Partners emphasizes retaining the local feel of our funeral homes as well as our core values,” commented Isabel Vieira.
“What really excites me is all the new technology that Foundation Partners will be bringing to the funeral homes. And I am encouraged by the expanded career opportunities for our staff,” added Chris Vieira. “It’s also comforting to see the number of industry leading firms we will be joining that have partnered with Foundation Partners Group.”
“With the addition of both firms, we found incredible partners who share our vision and passion for being leading providers of funeral and cremation experiences and products,” stated Erin Whitaker, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Foundation Partners Group. “We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care and Beach Funeral Homes to the Foundation Partners family.”
About Foundation Partners Group: Foundation Partners Group is a leading provider of innovative funeral and cemetery experiences and products. As one of the largest privately-owned funeral and cemetery operators, Foundation Partners owns and operates funeral homes, cremation centers and cemeteries in 20 states and is actively seeking to expand its presence throughout the U.S. With headquarters in Orlando, Florida, Foundation Partners is committed to revolutionizing the funeral profession through its innovative ShareLife® customer experience-centered approach and harnessing the power of relationship and partnership. For more information, visit the Foundation Partners Group website at www.foundationpartners.com.
I’ll be the first to admit that there is something throwback or old school about funerals and so it may seem out of place in some ways, especially for the time being. However, the whole economy is moving toward a greater focus on delivering a great customer experience. And funerals are really all about the experience for the friends and family. It seems like a logical acquisition anyway, but especially if you can improve the customer experience with technology.