Butler native returns home to open funeral home
The death of a loved one is one of the most difficult and influential events in a person's life,
“It needs to be handled properly,” said Spencer D. Geibel, 37, who has opened a funeral home in Butler. “They need guidance they can trust.”
Geibel, who has been a licensed funeral director for about nine-and-a-half years, recently opened Spencer D. Geibel Funeral Home & Cremation Services at 140 New Castle Road. The business is not affiliated with any other funeral homes. It is a single-floor facility that strives to offer more options, better service and less cost for the community.
Geibel, who is a graduate of Butler Senior High School, Butler County Community College and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, was born and raised into a family that operated funeral homes, which led him to pursue a career in the field.
“I've always dreamed about coming back and building a funeral home my way in Butler,” he said, adding that his goal is to provide high quality funeral services at an affordable cost.
The location previously housed Speed of Sound, an auto-parts store, for 30 years.
Geibel purchased the building — which had multiple hallways, offices, a kitchen and wires hanging from the ceiling — in May 2018.
“I ripped out every single wall,” he said. “Everything is new from floor to ceiling.”
Construction began in November and was completed in May.
The business's design features a conference room with urn displays and a “great room” that can seat about 130 people. The building and bathrooms are handicapped accessible and feature the artwork of a Butler artist who is a retired teacher.
“I try to find a medium between passionate and easygoing service care — a laid-back perspective, a laid-back environment, a very casual environment,” he said.
Services vary from full funerals to direct cremation.Geibel also offers home visits to make arrangements. He uses his own vehicle, answers calls personally and performs his own embalming, which decreases the cost of services, he said.“I'm looking to help the middle woman, middle man across the board,” he said about his midsize service designs.A short viewing is followed by burial or cremation.“Services let families come together. It's so important to see someone because it becomes real in your soul and in your mind,” Geibel said. “An open casket viewing is so important because it permits someone's mind to begin healing.”Geibel begins by inviting the customer to drop by to talk about the history and life of their late loved one. Next, a game plan is created together for a practical funeral arrangement that fits the customer's desire.“I try to find out what my families want before I start my design service, so they're not choosing what they don't want or more than they need,” he said.Funeral costs can be daunting.“They want a Catholic, Christian, Jewish or Muslim service, they can't afford to even get to the church part considering they're so expensive,” he said. “I'm trying to be the middleman and get folks to the funeral service of their faith. So many folks are choosing services they don't want because they can't afford what they do want.”Death can be a sensitive topic that people do not want to plan for or discuss, Geibel said.“I have to take into account that no one wants to talk about this. I've taken into account that most people don't know what the field is about and how it works and what their rights and options really are,” he said.One of his goals is to educate the community on these matters, he said.People are allowed to change funeral homes, and death insurance policies are transferable, he said.Geibel added that his vision is to serve everyone in Butler in one way or another.“It's an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to have this funeral home to service Butler,” he said. “What I'm trying to bring Butler is entirely new to the area.”
Call 724-287-4042 or visit spencerdgeibel.com
