- May 4, 2024
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Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society has opened a branch in the Tuscany Shoppes, 1138 W. Granada Blvd.
They now have nine locations statewide, including Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange. At an open house on Nov. 13, Ruth Anne Yeats, corporate vice president, said the branch will serve surrounding areas including Palm Coast.
Traditional funeral services are available, as well as the more modern “celebration of life.”
“We believe in celebrating life, where people can tell stories, have a reception,” said Christina Stanley, manager of the branch.
There are shelves in the Heritage Place, where ceremonies are held, so people can place photos and mementos.
Yeats pointed out that the local office, called a planning center has a light, bright décor.
“There are no drab curtains and the doors are glass,” she said. “We don’t want people to feel closed in.
“We’re considered an affordable funeral home,” Yeats said. “We believe in affordability and simplicity.”
Yeats said 90% of their services are cremations. There are three types of cremations available, traditional, Eco-Cremation, which releases less pollution; and Bio-Cremation, which is water-based and eliminates emissions and uses less energy.
To have the funeral home in the strip plaza, the company had to get special approval from the City Commission, but Yeats said they also have locations in plazas in Orlando and The Villages.
“They have worked out wonderfully,” she said.
One of the new trends in the business is keeping the DNA of an ancestor. Skip Knopke, president of Baldwin Brothers, said the company can provide a small vial containing the DNA of the deceased, which can be kept in a safety deposit box. It can be valuable in making medical decisions for descendents.
“What’s the first question a doctor asks you?” Knopke said. The doctor want to know the health history of relatives.
Also, a kit can be provided to living people to take a swab of their own DNA for storage.
Visit baldwincremation.com
The Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon cutting in November for a new housing development in the north part of Hunter’s Ridge. Ashford Lakes in Hunter’s Ridge has an Ormond Beach address, but is located in Flagler County.
Sales consultant Laura Hains said the homes are considered luxury and are built on large lots of at least a half acre. They start in the $300,000 range.
Currently, there is a model home at 13 Ashford Lakes Drive which has 2,500 square feet. There is also a “spec” home, and more will be built as they are sold.
Hains said the builder, Vintage Estate Homes, can also build to a person’s own plans.
“We have our own architect,” she said.
There are 22 lots. Some have lake views and some have preserve views.
They have built homes throughout Central Florida and in Glen Abbey in West Volusia County.
Call 279-5332.
