Faye Funeral Home
readies for spring opening in Presque Isle
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Faye Funeral Home & Cremation Service, serving Presque Isle and central Aroostook County, will soon be open for business at 5 Erskine St.
Staff photos/Kathy McCarty
NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN — Faye Funeral Home & Cremation Service, serving Presque Isle and central Aroostook County, will soon be open for business at 5 Erskine St. Buck’s Construction has spent the past few months building the structure, which is owned and will be operated by Jesse Faye, a licensed funeral director and embalmer. An open house is slated for later this spring, with details to appear in an upcoming issue of The Star-Herald.
JESSE FAYE, a licensed funeral director and embalmer, will be opening Faye Funeral Home & Cremation Service at 5 Erskine St. later this spring. The Caribou native said it’s been a longtime goal to own his own business and is pleased to be able to do so in Aroostook County. 
“We recently constructed a 6,500 square-foot facility in Presque Isle — built by Buck Construction — that will be able to suit the needs of any service, both traditional or unique. Erskine’s the little street off Academy Street, just before the Wesleyan Church. Being the newest funeral home in Aroostook County, we have engineered a facility with adequate parking, seating and much more,” said owner Jesse Faye, who’s a licensed funeral director and embalmer.
Faye said the business will feature the latest technology.
“We have equipped ourselves with both modern and traditional technology offered in funeral services and all the features one would expect from a new facility. Whether the services you select are traditional or unique, we have the solutions to provide a tribute that is as meaningful as the life lived,” he said. “We made sure to engineer the site to be modern and have all the amenities one would expect in a new facility, to ensure comfort for families grieving from a loss.”
He said construction included a carport, which allows easy access while preventing exposure to the elements.
“We’re also 100 percent ADA-compliant. We felt it was important not to have any steps or anything in the building, so everything’s flat — on one level,” said Faye.
He’s also included a feature growing in popularity in the funeral service business: video capability.
“The facility is equipped with flat-screen TVs. We can produce memorial slide shows composed of photos provided by the families. We’ll have a website with online obituaries and an online guest book also. DVDs can be uploaded on the website as well, so that slideshows can be viewed by those who are far away,” Faye said.
Faye said he’ll be using multiple suppliers for caskets, urns and other funeral-related items, which will give those in need greater choices.
“We’re not limiting ourselves to a particular company. It will give families price options for various makes/models,” he said.
“We’ll help with preparations, whether it’s a memorial service, cremations, a traditional service or something a bit different. We’re ready to serve the public 24/7,” said Faye.
Faye said he will be using a Cadillac hearse and a Dodge van for funerals and to respond to deaths. “I’ll work with local police and caregivers as requested,” said Faye. “I also look forward to working with local businesses — florists, monument makers, etc.”
In addition to Faye, staff includes his mother, Jennie Faye, who will serve as secretary, and Josh Blanchette of New Sweden, who will serve as funeral attendant. There will also be other part-time attendants.
“We’re family-owned, -operated and -occupied,” said Faye. “In addition to the funeral home, the site also includes residential space. I’ll be living there.”
Faye said he’s always wanted to own his own funeral home.
“I started working at a funeral home in Caribou when I was in high school. That’s when I became interested in becoming a funeral director,” said Faye, who was born and raised in Caribou.
Following high school, Faye attended college at the Funeral Institute of New England in Boston, where he earned a degree in mortuary science and funeral service, graduating in 2011. Upon graduation, he received the Performance Award from the college.
The decision to return to northern Maine was a simple one, according to Faye.
“This is my home. I saw Presque Isle as a good opportunity and good location for my business,” said Faye, noting the region’s young people don’t have to leave Aroostook or Maine to find work.
“When planning for college, look in your home community and what needs are not being met or what services could be expanded, then get a degree in a related field. More people should come back to their home towns. It’s possible to come back and form your own business,” said Faye. “Just look for something in demand. I hope my business venture will inspire other young professionals to return to Aroostook County, as my generation will play a large role in the economic future of northern Maine.”
Faye Funeral Home & Cremation Service will officially open for business in about a month, he said.
“We’re planning to open the end of May or beginning of June. We’ll set an actual date in the near future. We’ll hold an open house — the date and time will be announced in The Star-Herald — with the public welcome to come see our funeral home,” said Faye.
For more information or to make a suggestion, call Faye at 227-5834.
