HAMPTON - A new funeral home opened in Hampton Sunday, November 14. Owned and operated by Ronald A. Remick, the funeral home is conveniently located at 811 Lafayette Road, the former site of the chair caning shop operated for many years by Reginald Berry.

When Mr. Remick purchased the house a year ago, there was no town water, no septic system, no central heating, no bathroom and very little electrical wiring.

Since that time he has transformed the house and chair caning shop into an attractive and functional funeral home.

On the exterior of the building, a large portico has been added, allowing visitors to arrive and depart under complete cover. Contemporary double doors from the portico entrance lead to the foyer which is lighted by a crystal chandelier.

Mediterranean decor is featured throughout in furnishings and lighting fixtures and is highlighted by a color scheme of gold, white and red tones.

Two smoking rooms are located to the left of the foyer and the spacious chapel, which is 22 by 24 feet, is situated to the right of the foyer.

Above the chapel is the casket selection room and beneath it, on the lower level, is the preparation room and garage.

Mr. Remick invites area people to inspect the new facility at an Open House, Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5 from 1 to 4 p.m.

For Mr. Remick, having his own funeral home is the culmination of a long - time ambition. A native of Portsmouth and a resident of Kittery for many years, Mr. Remick moved to Hampton 12 years ago.

He is a 1962 graduate of Winnacunnet High School where he was active in sports on the football and wrestling teams.

Two months after graduation at age 19, Mr. Remick entered the New England Institute of Anatomy in Boston where he was graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science with honors.

When asked how he happened to choose the funeral business as his profession, Mr. Remick said that he knew from the time he was a sixth grader after attending his grandfather's funeral, that he wanted to be a funeral director.

Following his graduation, he served one year of apprenticeship at the Fletcher Funeral Home in Keene under the supervision of Roger 0. Schick, whom he credits with teaching him the funeral business from the "old school."

From there, Mr. Remick worked for a year at the Eastman Funeral Service in Boston and then joined the N.H. Army National Guard where he served six months active duty receiving basic and medical corpsman training.

In May of 1966, Mr. Remick began working for Raymond Sturgis of Hampton where he completed his apprenticeship under Sturgis' direction and received his State of New Hampshire license to practice funeral directing and embalming.

Two years later, in May of 1968, Mr. Remick's Guard unit was activated and sent to Vietnam for 11 months. While there he served as a medical sergeant , and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Upon his return to Hampton, Mr. Remick resumed his position with the Sturgis Funeral Home as funeral director and embalmer until earlier this month.

Mr. Remick is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Remick of 9 Tower Drive, Hampton, and is married to the former Barbara Reed, daughter of Lt. Col. and Mrs. Henry Reed of -Rye. Mrs. Remick is well - known in the local community as general manager of Lamie's.

The couple has two children, John and Jill.

Mr. Remick holds the National Board Certificate which is given by the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards of the U.S. which allows him to practice his profession in 37 states.

He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the N.H. Funeral Directors Association, St. James Lodge A&FM, Rockingham Lodge IOOF and is a trustee of that lodge and a member of the Hampton American Legion Post 35 and the Hamptons' VFW Post.

Mr. Remick personally believes in a traditional funeral service because he says, "It is very helpful in assisting a person to adjust to the loss of a loved one," and he adds, "sorrow shared is sorrow diminished."

Despite his personal beliefs, Mr. Remick feels strongly that his services should be rendered in accordance with the wishes of the people he serves.

He says, "I will advise them of the advantages and disadvantages of any particular way they wish to handle the funeral service, but ultimately my job is to carry out their wishes."