Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal John Lawrence and wife, Debbie, stand outside the construction site of Autumn Funerals and Cremation Monday at 1575 Lompa Lane. John Lawrence has worked in the funeral business for 15 years.
Carson City's third funeral home will open this fall, run by a couple who are intent on making their business a place to celebrate life, rather than death.
Autumn Funerals & Cremations will operate as a family tribute center, said John and Debbie Lawrence.
"We're going to put in a state-of-the-art audio and visual system so that we can make life videos," John Lawrence said.
The memorial videos will play during services. Clients will also have the use of a 550-square-foot fellowship hall.
Lawrence has worked in the funeral business for 15 years. He will work as the funeral director, while his wife, who is a nurse at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, will assist with arrangements.
"We'll be very service orientated to what the family needs," Debbie Lawrence said.
John Lawrence operated a funeral home in Prineville, Ore., for eight years before the family returned to Carson City in August 2004. The couple married in Carson City 17 years ago. Since moving back, Lawrence said, he has dedicated most of his time to opening the funeral home at 1575 N. Lompa Lane.
Construction of the 2,400-square-foot building just south of Highway 50 East on Lompa Lane began in early June. The principal contractor on the $500,000 building is D.G. Hand Construction. The Lawrences plan to employ four people and open by October. The family has invested about $100,000 to get the business started.
"I haven't run into any difficulties, other than the cost of real estate," he said. "That's been the most challenging part."
Lawrence completed his associate's degree in mortuary science in 1994 from Mount Hood Community College. His career path started back in high school as an after-school job.
The couple plans to be competitive with the other two funeral homes in town that have operated in Carson City for more than 30 years. His business plan details costs for cremation as less than $1,000 and casket burials less than $3,000.
Autumn Funerals is the couple's first business. They moved back to be closer to both sides of their family.
"This town provides a lot of business opportunities," Lawrence said.
• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.
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