Page 194 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2023

FINAL SAY
JEFFREY H.
O’KEEFE, SR. CEO, Bradford-O’Keefe
Funeral Homes
At Bradford-O’Keefe, we consider it our highest honor to be of service to the families who elect to use our business. Since 1865, our family and team of professionals have comforted families with a commitment to the care of loved ones. We work to be sensitive to families’ changing needs and dedicated ourselves to providing a meaningful memorialization. Service is the corner- stone of our philosophy.
Even though we have adapted to change for 158 years, we con- tinue to innovate with technology to provide memorials which resonate with the families we serve and those who love and support them. While we operate primarily along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with video streaming and online memorial videos, we are able to share those memories worldwide. Though there is a place for large corporate operations, we have elected to remain independently owned with the goal of being responsive to fami- lies and individuals who prefer a local caring support team.
Our organization provides outreach to assist families who are interested to plan in advance of needed services in addition to caring for those who are faced with an unexpected loss. Justin O’Keefe leads the Bradford-O’Keefe team in assisting families with prearranged services. Our Lunch & Learn programs pro- vide those interested, with vital information in a pleasant setting such as a restaurant or gathering space to become more in- formed. Additionally, Justin has developed our MAPP program. This is a Memorial Asset Protection Program that assists families with guidance details “after” the funeral services are complete. The MAPP Program has been recognized for its benefits with a National provider and is now being rolled out across the nation in hopes of assisting people on a broader basis.
Another signature service is our Celebration of Lights Cere- mony at our local cemeteries in which a remembrance service is conducted to include prayers, music, and the lighting of candles within individual luminaries for each grave of a loved one. Please check our website or facebook page for times and locations.
As a fifth generation O’Keefe family member to work in our business, I am humbled by the entire team of co-workers who provide service to our families on a day in and day out basis.
We simply could not do what we do without their dedication. Bradford-O’Keefe helps thousands of families each year through it’s seven funeral home locations, three cemeteries, and cre- matory services. Jeffrey O’Keefe, Jr. is the President of Brad- ford-O’Keefe and a sixth-generation family member to carry the business forward.
Our organization was most pleased to have been selected to carry on the services of Edmond Fahey Funeral Home serving Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Diamondhead, and Pass Christian. Christopher O’Keefe is a sixth generation family member in management and working with Edmond Fahey. David Stanley a Gulfport graduate has recently been named Assistant Manager of Bradford-O’Keefe’s Gulfport division.
194 | October 2023
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