Richardson Funeral Home of Amite, Louisiana Preserving History Through Funeral Programs

Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. CEO & Staff
Photo Courtesy: Antoinette Harrell

When a loved one passes away in the African American community, writing a funeral program about the person's life is very important in making the final arrangements. Funeral programs became an essential part of funerals in the early 60s. There is a lot of detailed information about the deceased. You will find their full name, birthday, the name of the parents, siblings, spouse, and children if they were married.  If it was a married one woman passed away, her maiden name is documented.  Sometimes it will also state where the person was employed, and the they school attended. It will provide additional information that the death certificated can't offer. 

My mother had a collection of obituaries in her keepsakes. Most of the obituaries in her collection were of family members. Like most older people in the communities, some have a very extensive collection in their homes. As a genealogist, I'm always delighted when someone allows me to look at  and scan their collection. 

Several days ago, the CEO and Owner  of Richardson Funeral Home, Inc., in Amite, Louisiana, called me to informing me that they were cleaning out some boxes at the funeral home and was wondering what to do with all the obituaries. My maternal first cousin, Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier, suggested that they call me to see if I wanted them. Well, you know what my answer was, of course, I will take them off your hand. Earl Scotty Richardson called me to tell me that he would drop them off at my home. 

Funeral Programs

I was thinking about their motto, "We Provide A Little More Than Services, We Care!" I couldn't agree more.  I know for a fact, they do a back-to-school giveaway and other things that they do to services the community, just like Earl's father, Earl. His father Earl did a lot to help people in need. 

In many genealogy seminars, conferences, and workshops, we have discussed how important the role that funeral homes can play in preserving our history though funeral programs. After I create a database of the funeral programs, I will donate them to the  Center For Southeast Louisiana Studies. I recently learned that I can all so add them to the FamilySearch database. Most of the funeral programs are of people who died in Tangipahoa Parish,  St. Helena Parish, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Richardson Funeral Home, Inc., of Amite, Louisiana, are taking a new approach, and documenting these records. The entire staff made a wise decision in one of the Board of Directors meeting to not throw away these programs. Jo-Ann is a family griot, and she understand the importance of preserving history. She had  supporting my genealogy research in any way that she possibly can.