Leo C. Chase & Son Funeral Home built on compassion

At the core of Leo C. Chase & Son Funeral Home, it's all about three generations of caring, compassion and community.

"There is nothing more fulfilling than being able to assist families in a time of loss," said Avis C. Chase, the third generation of licensed funeral directors in the Chase family. "We wear many hats here. We're grief counselors, and we're hand-holders. We take care of things from beginning to end."

For nearly 60 years, the funeral home has served primarily the African-American community from its location at 262 West King St.

It began with the late Leo C. Chase, Sr., who went into business for himself after having managed the Huff Funeral Home in Lincolnville from 1948 to 1955. His son, Arnett C. Chase took over in 1977 when his father died.

Arnett's daughter, Avis, runs most day-to-day duties now while her father, now 74, eases into semi-retirement. His son, Arnett Chase II plays an important role as operations director and assistant manager. Leo, Sr.'s brother, William Chase, retired from the company.

Willie Carl Davis, while not technically family, "was like a son to my dad," Arnett said, and has worked here since 1974. He is a licensed funeral director and manager.

Arnett said he always knew he wanted to be a funeral director.

"All my life I was impressed with the shiny black limos and hearses," he said. "Funeral directors were always dressed so immaculately, too. I wanted to be like them."

Arnett apprenticed under his father in 1958, and then became licensed. He said his father was a great teacher who always challenged him.

It's still a challenge to handle arrangements for family members or former classmates, he said.

"It takes a special kind of person to be in this business. You watch families grieve and you want to do something to relieve their suffering," Arnett said. "And you're never free. It's 24/7."

The funeral home serves families in St. Johns, Clay and occasionally Flagler counties. Chase & Son currently averages about 85 funerals a year.

Family first

Avis Arnett joined the business in 1994.

"I always had an interest in forensic science and pathology and criminal justice. By the time I went into undergrad, though, I knew I had a deep love for family and community and I'd come home to work," she said.

After graduating from University of Florida A&M, she became a licensed funeral home director.

"It's been a good decision. There is nothing more fulfilling than assisting families in a time of loss," she said. "To be working in my community and giving back is a real blessing.

"It's not just a business; it is always families first."

Arnett Chase, II has worked with the family for 20 years. He said he couldn't pass up the opportunity to work alongside family.

"I like the opportunity to serve the community and people we know and have grown up with, and see them through their most difficult times," he said. "We're not the only funeral home in the county and for people to trust us says a lot about the credibility of our family."

It's an emotional business, he freely admits.

"I put myself in the families' shoes and when I see them hurting, it's heavy on my heart. That's just part of the whole thing."

A history of community service

Arnett and his late brother Leo C. Chase, Jr. both joined the Army in 1963. Arnett served in Germany, while Leo, Jr. was sent to Vietnam. When Leo, Sr. fell ill, the Army allowed Arnett to return and help run the business in May 1965.

Leo, Jr., however, was killed in Vietnam in November 1965, becoming the first St. Augustinian to die in that war. A park on West King St. was named in his honor.

A plaque outside the funeral home includes the business as part of the 30 sites making up the ACCORD Freedom Trail. Established in 2003, ACCORD stands for Anniversary to Commemorate the Civil Rights Demonstrations, Inc.

During the 1960s, the funeral home was reportedly a sanctuary for civil rights activists subjected to local harassment. The funeral home's ambulance was used to take marchers to the hospital in Jacksonville after they were beaten.

Continuing in the desire to make a difference locally, Arnett made history when he became the first black city commissioner elected in "modern times" in St. Augustine, serving from 1973 to 1975.

"It was a big deal at the time," he said.

He has twice been named Mortician of the Year, too.

Changes and the future

Arnett said the biggest change overall is an increase in cremations, which now represent 20 percent of the business. People also are spending less on funerals. These two trends hurt the bottom line, but Arnett said, "We're staying above water."

"People just don't have the money to spend anymore. Just like every other business, when the economy folds, people stop speeding money and start hanging on to whatever they've got."

From the low-end caskets made of fabric-covered fiber board, to the highest end copper and bronze, the funeral home offers a full range of options. The metal caskets are most popular for his clientele, he said.

Depending on how the economy fares, Arnett wants to upgrade his fleet of four limousines and two hearses, expand the 80-seat chapel and renovate the circa 1920 building.

"To see a family that's well-satisfied makes it all worthwhile. To see the relief on their faces because we've made it as easy as possible on them, that's what it is all about," he said.