Memorial Funeral Home

Edenbach Family | Staff | Locations | Maps & Directions

Three Generations of Service How long does it take a family to demonstrate their genuine care, concern and dedication to a community? For the Edenbach Family, three generations seems to be more than a good start.
In June of 1931, Charles A. Edenbach Sr. was granted a license as an Undertaker from the City of Newport after graduating from the McAllister School of Embalming in New York City. In 1932, Charles A. Edenbach Sr., established his storefront funeral business at 89 Broadway. In 1936 he relocated to 375 Broadway into a new building. He and his wife Loretta Sullivan Edenbach designed and built the funeral home and it is believed to be one of the first to be built for this purpose in Rhode Island.
Mr. Edenbach Sr. was a visionary in many ways, being most notable was his creation of this grand colonial styled structure specifically created to provide family and friends a means to pay the finest tribute to the memory of their loved one, without hardship. His creation of this "home for funerals" was quite a new idea in the mid 1930's, as funerals in that era were conducted from the family home. The funeral home structure itself was so advanced and complete when built, that it served the needs of the Newport community for more than 50 years before any significant changes were warranted. In the late 1980's, Mr. Edenbach's sons, Charles Jr. and Robert, paid tribute to their mother and father by extensively renovating the funeral home and dedicating a new funeral chapel to their memory.
In 1964 Mr. Edenbach's son, Charles A. Edenbach Jr., joined his father as a licensed funeral director after graduating from Holy Cross College and receiving his funeral director training at the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science, Embalming and Funeral Directing. With his son now sharing more and more of the responsibility of the funeral home, Mr. Edenbach Sr. and his wife Loretta (Sullivan) Edenbach began to enjoy traveling.
By the late 1960's Mr. Edenbach Sr. had retired from funeral directing and would return to assist his son when needed. After operating the funeral home solely, Charles Jr. welcomed his brother Robert S. Edenbach into the family funeral home after he graduated from Fairfield University and later serving with the U.S. Navy. Robert officially began his career at the funeral home in 1970 after also graduating from the New England Institute of Anatomy.
		bob@memorialfuneralhome.com
In the spring of 1997, Kurt M. Edenbach, son of Charles A. Edenbach Jr., joined his father and uncle in their funeral homes as a licensed funeral director. He returned to Newport after graduating from Franklin and Marshall College and receiving his professional training at Gupton Jones College. Since that time he has earned his insurance license and the title of Certified Pre-planning Specialist to assist with the preplanning services of the funeral home. He is a member of the Rhode Island Funeral Directors Association. In September of 2003 he married Meaghan ONeill Edenbach and they live in Newport. He now serves on the Board of Directors for the Newport County YMCA and is a member of the Newport Yacht Club and St. Josephs Church. Kurt enjoys snowboarding and sailing in his free time with his wife.
kurt@memorialfuneralhome.com

In 2004, Christopher M. Edenbach, son of Robert S. Edenbach Sr., joined his father and cousin in their funeral homes as a Funeral Director's Apprentice. In 1996, he received his BA in American Studies and African American Studies from Trinity College, Hartford, CT. After moving to Washington, DC to pursue a career in politics, he received his Masters in Information Systems Development from George Washington University in 2003. Chris graduated in December 2007 with an Associated Degree in Funeral Service from the American Academy McAllister Institute in New York City, NY. Chris received his Funeral Director's license in August of 2008. In his free time, Chris enjoys traveling, sports, music and spending time with his family, friends and golden retriever, Jackson.