Since March 2016, the Baker-Swan funeral home on Riverside
Drive between Wellsville and Scio has been undergoing a major expansion. “We
want to provide a different funeral experience,” said licensed funeral director
Bud Baker Jr., who along with his wife Linda, own the funeral home. The 2,800
square foot addition is nearing completion, but Mr. Baker admits, “It’s a work
in progress.” The Baker’s have already invested $200,000 in the expansion,
saying their goal is to provide a better service. The addition will be able to
seat more than 130 people in the main viewing area and according to Mrs. Baker,
“we feel it’s important that everyone can be in the same room.” She added, “It’s
a spiritual journey.”
The Wellsville location opened in September 2010,
complimenting their funeral home in Andover, which they took over in 2003. The
couple said they wanted to invest in the Wellsville community. Mr. Baker said
the expansion will help alleviate the previous tight space and has allowed them
to update carpeting, technology and even includes skylights. The new design
includes ‘overflow’ rooms, is handicap accessible and gives people space as
they share stories, reconnect and grieve.
The Baker’s said although they have investigated heavily in
the project, that cost won’t be handed down to people who use their service. In
fact, Mrs. Baker said they provide several extra’s at no charge. The rooms have
large viewing screens where power point presentations run, reflecting memories.
In fact, Mrs. Baker pointed out; they even accommodate family members who can’t
attend the services. “Sometimes family members are in the military, are ill,
out-of-state or in a nursing home, “she said. In those cases, the funeral home offers
a password only online webcast of the service. “We want every family member to
be able to be involved with the service,” she added.
While Mr. Baker is the public face of the funeral home, Mrs.
Baker plays an equally important ‘behind the scenes role.’ She manages the
website, prepares the video presentations and handles some of the technical
aspects of the funeral. “We make a pretty good team,” she said fondly. She
noted that Bud “was called” to this profession.
The Baker’s seem to understand a family’s anguish during
difficult times. Bud and Linda were married in 1984 and welcomed their first
child in 1987. They enjoyed Caleb for a
short time, but at six weeks old he succumbed to SIDS and went to be with
Jesus. Linda is available for talks
about this experience which impacted their lives in many ways.
Although the current expansion project is nearly complete,
the business isn’t done growing. Additional plans call for an outdoor patio/pavilion…a
place for family members to gather, reflect and catch some air.
An open house will be held in the coming months.
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