Funeral Home Stresses Compassion, Community Service.
By: Linda F. Moultry
Posted: 4:49p.m .est, October 08, 2006
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Linn Ann Griffin has lived and worked with death long enough to know three things about life that can be applied to any situation: all things happen for a reason; you can’t live but one person’s life, and that’s your own; and every day, you just have to do the best you possibly can.

She should know, because including putting God first in all things, she surrounds herself with these principles. It’s what helps Griffin keep her head up when she is surrounded by death on a daily basis. "I love what I do," Griffin said. "Dealing with the death part can be difficult sometimes, but I like working with people and trying to help them create an everlasting memory of their loved ones." She said there is no discrimination because of funds. They help people from all walks of life.

Griffin is one of the funeral directors at Strong & Jones Funeral Home. The funeral home, which is located on W. Carolina Street in the heart of Frenchtown, has served as a beacon in the community for a number of years. It was opened in 1947 by Mamie Johnson Strong and Elbert W. Jones, Griffin’s father. Darrell L. Lawrence; Griffin’s co-partner is a third generation, grandson of Mamie J. Strong. Griffin began working at the funeral home full time in 1980. "I didn’t want to see the family business go down," Griffin said. "So, I began working here to help out and ended up staying. But I had been around this all of my life." Griffin and her staff aid families in funeral planning (including pre-planning), cremations, burials, grief counseling and more. "We try to give them some encouragement that this is not the end, and that there is life for them beyond the grave," Griffin said. "We are not only here to plan a funeral, but to help people get through these very rough periods in their lives."

Griffin takes pride in the emphasis Strong & Jones puts on helping families to deal with their grief, which often times can be overwhelming. One of the ways that Griffin and her staff try to help grieving families is through the Widows/Widowers Club. The club, which has about 50 members, was started as a way to help those who’ve lost a husband or wife.

"We have speakers come in and talk to the group, people like financial planners, counselors and anyone who can help members of the club get through the rough period of losing their significant other," Griffin said.

Community involvement as an individual and as a business is important to Griffin. "We really try to stay involved with helping the community grow and improve," Griffin said. "So, anything I can do to help that cause and anytime I can pitch in, I do." Griffin is involved in several community organizations, including occupying board of director positions at both Goodwill Inc. and Mothers In Crisis.

"I love working with Mothers In Crisis and getting a chance to witness the success of the ones who make it through the program," Griffin said. "All of the different organizations I am involved in really do a lot of good in the community." As an accompaniment to Griffin’s personal involvement with the community, Strong & Jones contributes regularly to various churches and schools, including Caroline Brevard Elementary, Pineview Elementary and FAMU DRS.

However, there are few things that mean more to Griffin than helping her clients get through the rough process of letting go of a loved one. "I know that I’ve succeeded if I can help someone every day," Griffin said. "Running this funeral home is like a marriage to me; I am married to it. Helping people and being there for them during such trials has become my ministry, and more than that, my life."