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Metropolitan Funeral Services Opens New Facility In Berkley

   Gov. Tim Kaine, as speaker, and a host of local and state elected officials and distinguished guests were on hand for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Thursday, April 24 for the new Metropolitan Funeral Services facility in Berkley. An Open House and Dedication followed on Sunday, April 27.
    In 2001 the prime property located in the heart of the Berkley Section of Norfolk was purchased.  The groundbreaking construction began six years later in December of 2007.
    The grand opening marks the beginning of a new era in embarking on the most pivotal move of Metropolitan Funeral Services History, according to a spokesperson for the business which is owned and operated by State Delegate Kenneth Alexander and his wife, Mrs. Donna Alexander.
    In addition to the customary funeral services, the new facility will offer other features, including serving as an emergency shelter in the event of a disaster.
    The new property is located at 120 W. Berkley Avenue in an enterprise and empowerment zone and has 16,000 square feet. It features state of the art equipment and fiber optic technology. 

Posted April 30, 2008

  In the event of a disaster, the facility is equipped as an emergency shelter with personnel who are CERT qualified.  This Community Emergency Response Team will act as the liaison to the community with effectiveness and efficiency without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.  Some of the training that the CERT qualified personnel received is to provide basic medical aid, assist in searching for and rescue victims safely, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts. 
   “It is our goal to aid and assist every family to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors, and your neighborhood in an emergency situation,” the spokesperson noted.
The architectural and interior decoration of the new facility has features that will be used as a chapel for weddings, retirements, or other services; banquet hall, meeting rooms for social, civic, political and fraternal gatherings. 
The massive complex is the new headquarters for Metropolitan Services, which also has a facility on Granby Street.

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