FairHaven Chapel Expansion: Building a Better Experience for Families

FairHaven sets to work on a new foundation with plans to expand the chapel. The locally owned funeral home chooses local builder & suppliers, aiding families by giving back to the Fort Wayne economy.

Not unlike everyday homeowners, when the family grows, so too does the house.

FairHaven Funeral Home has been seeing considerably more people attending services in the last nine months, largely due to the appeals the new owners have created and their close ties to the community. As a result, they're expanding their building envelop with an addition to the facility.

"We are incredibly excited about the project," Jarod Steffen, one of four partner-directors at FairHaven, wrote in an email Wednesday. "This wouldn't be possible without the enormous trust families have put in us. The community is behind us, and we want to provide the very best experience we can for them."

The locally owned funeral home provides exceptional value to families by often being priced lower than competitors. However, it's the service experience that customers frequently cite in reviews in search and social media.

FairHaven was built only a few years ago, in 2015, and with a thoroughly contemporary design and decor, it has become a sanctuary for families that feels very different from funeral homes in the past.

"It's bright, airy and fresh. It's not maudlin and it doesn't frighten children," another partner-director, Lucas Glessner, said. "We think our emphasis on local values, our building, and our huge-hearted, no-holds-barred attention to service is starkly different from what the corporately-owned funeral homes offer in Fort Wayne."

FairHaven Funeral Home has chosen Lengacher Brothers Construction to complete the project. The renovation, which has been estimated at over one-quarter million dollars, will include the chapel expansion, another arrangement room and additional office space.

While there will be some inconvenience related to the construction, careful scheduling will result in few noticeable disruptions to services and family consultations.

"For us, it will continue to be about looking after families and their loved ones," Glessner said. "Our house is still a home to families when such a loss occurs."


To learn more about FairHaven Funeral Home, Fort Wayne's locally-owned funeral home, we invite you browse our website or call us at (260) 424-5000. Inquiries are never a problem. We're often immediately available to provide information, advice and cost comparisons. Or follow us on Facebook , where you can read reviews and find out more about our community initiatives.

Wooden blocks spelling
By Nancy Weil October 30, 2025
Grief Changes You - And It's Okay
Person holding up a weathered, red toolbox.
By Nancy Weil August 25, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart Your Spiritual Toolbox: Everyday Activities for Grief Recovery
Group therapy session: Woman comforted by another; others listen. Bright room, natural light.
By Nancy Weil August 25, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart Misery Loves Company: How Grief Support Groups Help
Family on bikes smiles in a forest setting, wearing helmets.
By Nancy Weil August 25, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart Living Your Legacy: Honoring Memories and Finding Purpose
A senior man sits with three children on a sofa, smiling.
By Nancy Weil August 25, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart Laughter in the Face of Tears: How Humor Helps in Grief Recovery
Woman in yellow sweater writes in notebook on a gray couch near a window.
By Nancy Weil August 25, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart Feel Better Now: A Simple 6-Step Guide to Healing After a Loss
Three copper pennies on a textured, dark gray surface.
By Nancy Weil August 6, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart Making Cents of it All: Using Small Acts of Kindness to Find Healing After Loss
Two runners' legs in action on a paved road, orange traffic cones, one runner in blue shorts and a neon sock.
By Nancy Weil August 6, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart Grief is Like a Marathon: Understanding the Journey of Loss
April 12, 2022
When it comes to end-of-life care, you and your family have choices. However, the most important one may be which funeral home you select. Listen in as partner-director Mark Scheidt expands on the subject in our latest spot — plus brief testimonials from families we've served. WHY CHOOSE US? Kind, compassionate care and a selection process that's free of pressure. Our locally owned funeral home prides itself on creating an atmosphere of warm, thoughtful support, and families who have chosen us have noticed. FairHaven Funeral Home has also been voted the Reader's Choice Best Funeral Home in Fort Wayne three years in a row. Ask about our unique feature & amenities Name: Email: Phone: Message: Thank you for contacting us. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Oops, there was an error sending your message. Please try again later. Messages to FairHaven Funeral Home are encrypted for your security and privacy.
September 24, 2021
We're pleased to be recognized as Fort Wayne's Best Funeral Home for the third time in three years. It's proof positive that our brand of care — authentic, local and deriving from a deep sense of mission — is speaking directly to Fort Wayne families and helping them heal.
Show More