
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 18, 1995                   TAG: 9504180126
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROCKY MOUNT FUNERAL HOMES MERGE

Rocky Mount's oldest funeral homes, Arrington-Bussey and Lynch, said Monday they will merge this summer. The combined operation will keep the Lynch name and operate from an expanded Lynch's facility on Floyd Avenue.

Rodney Barrow, Lynch general manager, said the move is an effort to improve service to the community.

Since 1991, the funeral homes have been members of The Loewen Group of Cincinnati, which owns about 700 funeral homes across the country, Barrow said.

But Barrow said the decision to combine the two Rocky Mount funeral homes isn't part of a bigger corporate picture. It was just something he and Arrington-Bussey's general manager, Jeff Williams, believed to be the best situation for their businesses.

"We can do more and have more resources at one location," Barrow said.

A 2,000-square-foot addition is planned for the Lynch building, which is now 12,000 square feet. The expansion and other renovations are scheduled for completion at about the same time Arrington-Bussey's staff will move. No layoffs are expected, Barrow said.

The Arrington-Bussey building on South Main Street will be for sale.

Barrow will continue as general manager, and Williams will become assistant general manager of the combined funeral home.

Lynch Funeral Home was founded in 1947 and began operations in the Peake & Angle Building in Rocky Mount. Arrington-Bussey was founded in 1955.

Williams said Arrington-Bussey's prearranged and prepaid funeral arrangements will remain in effect. Customers should continue to contact Arrington-Bussey at its present location until the move is completed this summer.

by CNB