“Serving Those Who Serve Others”

• Funeral Business Management Consultant

• Personalized, Boutique-Type Services for Over 50 Years

• “Serving Those Who Serve Others” • Funeral Business Management Consultant • Personalized, Boutique-Type Services for Over 50 Years •

"Growing up in the business it was known that Dr. Van Pine at AFC was the one to go to if you were considering buying or selling. We met Melissa at AFC briefly during the purchase of our second funeral home years ago. When it came time to sell, there was no one else to even consider. Selling a business can be extremely difficult, but that is not what we experienced at all. After only a short time working with Melissa, it became obvious that her professionalism was second to none. Melissa’s expertise guided us the entire time as she was personally committed to finding us the right fit between buyer and seller. She then negotiated the sale price and terms of the deal on our behalf. Working with AFC, and especially with Melissa, was the easiest decision we ever made. Above and Beyond!! Thanks again Melissa!"

Geoffrey & Heather Hazzard • Loucks Funeral Home (Ellenville, NY) & Humiston Funeral Home (Kerhonkson, NY)

"After considering the sale of our Funeral Home and being pursued by a potential buyer it was time to get down to business, knowing I needed an appraisal to justify any potential sale. I remembered reading an article in one of the funeral journals, about AFC and Melissa and her team, well I am so glad I did. From the first contact, I knew her, and AFC were a great fit for what I needed. Her personal knowledge, commitment, and compassion of funeral services was noted from the first contact. Melissa had the appraisal done in record time and guided me forward with the sale process with such personal attention. She was always available, and no questions were too big or small for her to answer. I will also say the attorney she recommended was also knowledgeable and personal. In today’s world when so much is done electronically and not in person it’s hard to know if you made the right choices, well I can tell you I never felt that way. Don’t be afraid to contact AFC and see for yourself you will not regret it. Thank you, Melissa, and your team for all your guidance. I could never have done it without you."

Michael & Judy Schmauder • C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (Quakertown, PA)

“I met Melissa Drake with American Funeral Consultants after inquiring on the sale of a funeral home of which she was the broker. Being this was my first experience in seeking a funeral home to purchase, I had no idea what to expect. Although Melissa was working on the seller’s behalf, her commitment to providing me with accurate information in an expedited manner was above and beyond my expectations. Her explanations were thorough and transparent and I had total confidence in her expertise. As a first-time buyer, I was not experienced in the purchasing process, and financing did not happen overnight. Thankfully, Melissa patiently stood behind the buyer’s commitment to executing the deal with me, and for that I will be forever grateful. Melissa receives my highest recommendation to assist any funeral home with their business needs, you will not be disappointed!“

Emily Dumond (Owner) Plummer Funeral Home – Augusta & Windsor, Maine

“We couldn’t have been any more pleased than we were with the process and sale of our funeral home. Melissa went above and beyond to help us with this transition. Very experienced in all aspects of the industry which was very helpful to us through the sale. She makes a point to get to know you to best serve your needs for your transition. Always feeling like you are her only client when you know that isn’t true. If we had questions, she had the answers or got the answers quickly. Selling a business can be daunting at times, but it couldn’t have gone any better. Thank you Melissa & American Funeral Consultants so much.“

Dennis and Pam Couture (Former Owners) Bailey Funeral Home, Inc.

“When I purchased my first funeral home 7 years ago, AFC found and brokered the sale of the business. When I purchased my second funeral home last year, once again they handled the transaction. Kathy and Melissa were consummate professionals during both transactions. To this day I maintain a relationship with them and when I need advice, they are there for me. I feel that they always have my businesses as well as my own best interest at heart. They are easily accessible and are very knowledgeable. There is no one I would even consider using except AFC. They are the best!”

Paul Hammerl (Owner) Simpson-Hammerl Funeral Home, Kingston, NY • Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home - New Paltz, NY

“For over 35 years, we have trusted AFC with all of our business needs. AFC handled all aspects pertaining to the final sale of our business with the highest levels of professionalism, efficiency, and confidentiality. They far exceeded our expectations by going above and beyond to make sure that the implementation of our exit strategy did not incur any unforeseen difficulties. Through-out the whole process AFC was there for Us. Words cannot express my deep appreciation and gratitude for a job well done. I would like to extend an extra special thank you to Melissa Drake for all of her help. Thank you Team AFC.”

Timothy J. Dalton (Former Owner) Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Homes, Inc. - Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Williston Park, Levittown, Hicksville.

“We have enjoyed a long-standing working relationship with American Funeral Consultants, beginning many years ago when AFC was owned by Van Pine and now with Melissa Drake, Bradley & Son Funeral Homes, LLC continues to seek professional guidance and expertise from AFC, and we have been served with competence and professionalism every step of the way. Their attention to detail and willingness and ability to work hand-in-hand with my other advisors has been invaluable to me as we set various plans into motion over the last two years. In addition, they have proven their ability to work within tight deadlines while providing us with expert advice and guidance supported by accurate and comprehensive documentation which has been used for a variety of functions including IRS purposes and complex Estate Planning. I look forward to our continued relationship.”

Scott W. Bradley (President) Bradley & Son Funeral Homes, LLC

“When we decided to begin the process of selling our Funeral Home and adjacent properties, we thought we could do it by ourselves. This was not the wisest decision as we soon realized as frustration set it in as we were questioned on several aspects of our pricing. We assured our limited but interested potential buyers that we were confident in the figures. A sale did not develop and at that moment it was clear we needed professional guidance and marketing of this extremely delicate transaction after 30 plus years of sweat and dedication.

We had met Melissa many years prior to this decision through a mutual friend and found her a very personable and industry savvy individual. Over dinner we discovered her true business knowledge and communication skills reassuring. When we decided to explore an individual to assist us with the sale, she immediately entered our thought process and contacted her. It was just like we rekindled an old friendship. She proposed a marketing package to us and what her requirements would be on our part which we quickly put together for her. Within a couple of weeks we had a list of potential buyers. We were amazed and reviewed the list with her and she described each one with their current ownership or employment background. She personally negotiated the sale price and terms of the deal. It was hands free on our part until the Letter of Intent was signed. She stayed on, working with us and the purchasers to satisfy the required documents to complete the sale, which at times was overwhelming.

Needless to say, once the current purchasers entered the formula through Melissa introducing us, we could not have been happier. Melissa presented their business model to us and assured us that the group was a great fit for our current exit strategy, for which we did not have one. She assured us that they were down to earth, hands off, fully supportive of our management skills in running our business, which holds true to date. Without Melissa’s marketing and business connections, this sale would have never developed and we would be a lone ship adrift.

Our gratitude to Melissa is endless. Still to this day we consider her a friend and even after the closing, she continues to check in on us.”

Janet and Richard Putnam • Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home - Cobleskill, NY

“Working with Melissa was an educating, eye opening and exciting experience. From the first time we called her, we knew we were in good hands. Throughout the entire process we heard Melissa’s standard answer, “that’s a good question” and that certainly helped myself the owner and my office manager feel even more confident because Melissa had the answers. We never knew how detailed and complex the sale of a funeral home could be. Without Melissa’s expertise and guidance, we would have been lost, or possibly it would not have happened. Her care and concern to partner buyers with sellers wasn’t just about dollars, it was the culture that each one was either looking to buy or looking to leave behind. Thank you, Melissa!!! “

Tim Gardner & Theresa Imhof • (Former Owner) F. E. Brown Sons Funeral Home - Orchard Park, NY

“Melissa Drake-Messina of AFC is a sincere, honest, and truly an experienced professional. When we work with Melissa, it is always evident that she is far more than a consultant; she is personally invested in being a good-steward of the funeral home legacies that she is representing. Her investment in the relationships that she builds with her clients comes through as she deliberately helps them find the right fit, on all fronts.”

Michael R. Martel • CEO Milestone Funeral Partners