New funeral home hopes to open in six months

GAINESVILLE - Memorial Park Funeral Home hopes to open its north Gainesville location in abut six months.

Memorial Park President Kevin Wetzel said he has had his eye on the site, 989 Riverside Drive, the current location of Providence Church, for some time.

"We were there on a funeral 8-10 years ago and talked about what a good location it was," Wetzel said.

About two years ago, Wetzel asked the funeral home's real estate agent if the property was for sale, but it wasn't.

Six to eight months ago the property was put up for sale, and the funeral home was able to buy it... with the sale completed just a few weeks ago, several months after the Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board approve the necessary rezoning.

The church can use the property for three more months before Memorial Park begins its renovations.

The new funeral home will feature a 350-seat chapel, four visitation rooms, a casket room, preparation room and a large vestibule.

"It's just going to give us a chance to better serve the north side of Gainesville and the city of Gainesville," Wetzel said. "It's going to be a lot closer for them.