Controversial For-Profit Funeral Company Signs Deal with Donohue Funeral Home

By

StoneMor, the controversial funeral company that runs 13 catholic cemeteries around Philadelphia, has signed a deal with Donohue Funeral Home. (image via Philly.com)

StoneMor, the controversial for-profit cemetery and funeral company that leases thirteen Catholic cemeteries in Philadelphia and four surrounding counties from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, has announced a new partnership with Donohue Funeral Homes, writes Laura McCrystal for Philly.com.

Under the deal, StoneMor will steer Catholics that are looking to prearrange their funerals to Donohue, which has six funeral homes in Delaware and Chester Counties.

“It was the right move not only for us, but for our families that we serve and the community in general,” said Michael K. Donohue, president of Donohue Funeral Homes.

StoneMor has recently come under heavy criticism for using aggressive sales methods on vulnerable clients. The company, which runs 317 cemeteries nationwide, has signed a 60-year lease with the archdiocese for $89 million payable to the church over 30 years.

According to Donohue, the company first approached him about a possible partnership a year ago. This was during a time when many funeral directors were criticizing StoneMor, concerned it would erect its own funeral homes on cemetery land.

“StoneMor’s not going anywhere, so it’s either they build a funeral home on the cemetery or we created a partnership like this,” said Donohue.

Read more about the new deal at Philly.com by clicking here.

Stay Connected, Stay Informed

Subscribe for great stories in your community!

"*" indicates required fields

Hidden
MT Yes
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Advertisement