Frank E. Campbell
| Frank E. Campbell | |
|---|---|
| Born |
4 July 1872 Illinois |
| Died |
19 January 1934 New York City |
| Cause of death | Heart disease |
| Residence | Manhattan, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Funeral director |
| Known for | Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel |
| Parent(s) | Malvina T. Campbell (mother) |
Frank E. Campbell (4 July 1872 – 19 January 1934) was an American funeral director and founder of the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel in Manhattan which he opened in 1898. The funeral home, which continues to this very day, is known for staging many celebrity funerals including that of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Rudolph Valentino, Judy Garland and Heath Ledger.[1] Campbell was credited with developing the funeral home industry at a time when most funerals were held in the homes of the deceased.[2]
Biography
Campbell was born on July 4 (Independence Day) 1872 in Illinois and got his training making caskets in what he called “an undertaker’s shop,” and when he was 20, he came to New York and worked in funeral parlors owned by a minister.
He soon opened his own parlor, on 23rd Street near Eighth Avenue, becoming part-mortician, part-showman. The home he helped found is today run by Service Corporation International, the Houston-based death care company.
Campbell died on 19 January 1934 at age 62 of heart disease.
References
- ↑ Oppenheimer, Jerry (2014-09-14). "Inside New York City's funeral home to the stars | New York Post". Nypost.com. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ↑ New York Times: "NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: WOODLAWN; A Pioneer Funeral Director Gets a Plot to Call His Own" By Matt Sedenskynov November 4, 2001