Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home being Remodeled, Still Open for Business in Temporary Location

MONTGOMERY, TX -- The placement of a ‘For Lease’ sign in front of the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on Eva St. in Montgomery has confused some people thinking that the facility is no more, but it’s only in a state of transition. The SHMFH has moved to temporary offices just down the road at the Heritage Place II Building. The new temp offices are next to Cedar Brake Park, at 21300 Eva Street, on the second floor west entrance. The building at the 20850 Eva St. location is being remodeled under new management, but the funeral home will continue to maintain its current level of service to the Montgomery and surrounding communities despite the temporary change.

Greg Smith, owner of the SHMFH has announced that the building has been sold to Montgomery developer Chris Cheatam, owner of Cheatam Management, LLC, who is going to remodel the building, and turn it into executive offices, with the SHMFH being able to maintain its front office footprint in the building upon the completion of the project.

“This temporary move allows us to offer the same exact services that we have been offering since we opened in the early 2000’s,” said SHMFH Owner Greg Smith. “With this new arrangement, once completed, we can run the funeral home more effectively, efficiently, and more economically.”

Smith went on to say that there are no changes in phone, email, staffing or services. The only change will be the reshaping of the chapel area in the SHMFH building, which is going to be remodeled into the aforementioned executive offices.

“If we have a funeral that requires a chapel,” said Smith. ”We have worked out an agreement with all the area churches to use their facilities for memorial services.”

Cheatam owned the land next to the funeral owner, and both parties approached each other in regards to the sale of the building. Since the chapel was used only about once a month, the idea Cheatam proposed about using the chapel for office spaces, seemed to be a win-win for both parties. Saving on the heating and cooling charges for the funeral home will result in lower costs to families in their time of grieving for the loss of a loved one.

Chris Cheatam wants to see Montgomery grow and be prosperous, and last fall, Chris and Greg got together in reference to the changing funeral industry, with more funerals being cremations the use of a chapel is not needed near as often as in the past. Smith, whose company has funeral homes in Huntsville and Willis, wants to remain a presence in Montgomery, but doesn’t need as much space. Chris on the other hand is looking for more opportunities for more office space in Montgomery which is basically full at the moment. More office space means more jobs, more homes, more families, restaurants, businesses and visitors to The Lake Creek Settlement and Historic Montgomery area. It is a high-profile building, with an easy entrance and exit.

“The anticipated date for the remodel start is approximately February 1st,” said Cheatam. “With a scheduled finish date in early August running to the early fourth quarter if needed.”

Shirley Schneider, the Montgomery funeral home administrator, has noted her office has fielded many calls inquiring if the business was open or closed. She has been with the Smith Family since the funeral home opened in 2003 according to Smith.

“In moving, I was surprised to see how many ‘memories’ that I have accumulated,” said Schneider, in response to the temporary move. “We will still continue to be the funeral home in Montgomery giving customers the same excellent service and compassionate care.”

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home strives to be the ultimate provider for creating healing experiences in the community for those who have lost loved ones. SHMFH has decades of experience in caring for families, from all walks of life, and are dedicated to excellence in service, while maintaining the highest integrity.

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home: shmfh.com 936-597-7300.

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