By Don Steen ~ Staff Writer • reporter@psci.net
Rainey Funeral Home welcomed residents of Dale and the wider community to an open house Saturday, officially marking the next chapter in the history of a longstanding town institution. Tyler and Breanne Rainey officially purchased the former Fuller Funeral Home July 1, and kept the business operating immediately even as they worked to renovate the building. The funeral home now cuts a different figure on Hammond Street, featuring a new coat of paint and plants to improve curbside appeal. Within, the home now features a lounge area for kids, among other amenities for visitors. The heart of the business remains the same, however, Tyler is committed to serving families during their time of grief.
Tyler and Breanne grew up in Huntingburg and graduated from Southridge High School. The couple now have four children.
Breanne is primarily a teacher, but she also has a life insurance license, allowing her to assist families with pre-arrangements and similar concerns. The driving force for the couple’s decision to buy the funeral home, however, lies in Tyler’s career path.
A career in funeral science was his first impulse out of high school, and despite the odd turn here or there, that’s exactly where he wound up. Before buying Fuller Funeral Home, Tyler had worked for 10 years at Nass and Son Funeral Home in Huntingburg, doing “a little bit of everything.”
“This came up for sale,” he said. “My wife and I figured that we’re 37, we’re gonna take the chance. Might as well do it now.”
Tyler is often asked what motivated him, or anyone, to pursue his line of work. It’s a question he can’t really pin a certain answer to.
“I honestly have no clue,” he said. “Growing up, my mom was into genealogy. We always called it cemetery hopping, to find family members’ headstones.”
It’s as good a start as any.
Read more on this story in this week’s issue of the Spencer County Leader!
Featured Image: The exterior of the Rainey Funeral Home in Dale, IN
A view of the Rainey Funeral Home Kids’ Lounge
