Page 16 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2020

First Funeral Home – The Wilder Funeral Homes was purchased by Ernest and Ruth Riemann in 1920.
Ernest and Ruth Riemann.
COAST NOTES
Celebrates 100th Anniversary
story by John N. Felsher
photos courtesy of Riemann Family Funeral Homes
A CENTURY OF SERVICE Family Funeral Home
16 | February 2020
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
n 1895, Rudolph and Marguerite Riemann immigrated from Germany to Michigan. Years later, their son, Ernest T. Riemann, Sr., and his wife Ruth headed to
the Gulf Coast for a vacation. They liked the area so much that Ernest bought a half-interest in a Gulfport funeral home in 1920.
Chad Riemann, the current president of Riemann Family Funeral Homes, Inc. and Ernest’s great-grandson, represents the fourth generation of Riemanns serving Mississippi families for
a century. The family now owns
ve funeral homes in coastal communities. Chad’s father, David F. Riemann, serves as the chairman. Chad’s brother Addison and Uncle Mike also help run the family enterprise.
“Being a funeral director is a calling,” Chad remarked. “I truly believe that our family feels like this is our calling. Above all, our goal is to take care of the families and show them genuine care and concern so we can help them in their time of need. We all feel very fortunate and very thankful to those who have trusted us all these years.”
Besides taking care of people’s nal arrangements, the family also devotes itself to Mississippi communities in many other ways. For instance, they helped found
the “Wreaths for Biloxi National Cemetery” program. Under this program, people cover every veteran’s grave in the cemetery during the Christmas holidays.
“We have a large veteran community on the Coast,” Chad explained. “Of course, we have
a committee and thousands of volunteers to help us. Coordinating the effort is very important to us simply because the cemetery is in our community and it’s beautiful once it’s covered.”
The Riemanns also sponsor annual trips for veterans to visit the National World War II Museum in New Orleans and raise money for local charities such as Feed My Sheep. They began something called “Bowties and Beignets” for fun, fellowship and to raise money for charities.
“We’re thankful for the rst 100 years and look forward to whatever the future brings,” Chad said. “Whatever it brings, there will be another generation that comes behind us to take care of Mississippi families.”
Riemann Family Funeral Homes
228.539.9800 www.riemannfamily.com