Vet Opens Funeral Home by VA Cemetery
But these days, Farish, 88, is tickled about his latest business: Palm Beach National Chapel, a funeral home catering to veterans. The chapel is south of the veterans cemetery, west of Lantana on the northwest corner of State Road 7 and Hypoluxo Road.
With the exuberance of a teenager, Farish bustles around his new funeral home, throwing open doors to numerous rooms. There's the tricked-out audiovisual equipment of the chapel and the spacious reception area (plus flat-screen TV) for guests. In offices and hallways, his eyes linger on paintings by a favorite Old Florida artist, A.E. "Beanie" Baccus.
A friend sparked Farish's interest in the funeral business years ago. But it took a trip to Normandy plus the construction of the VA cemetery for this World War II combat veteran to realize there was a need for a funeral home to serve his comrades. The biggest duties: arranging for military honors.
Veterans issues are very important to this old soldier, who counts himself a proud member of the VFW and the Sons of the American Revolution. Farish served on D-Day with the Big Red One First Infantry Division.
But the entrepreneur in him knew something else: "I think it's a good business," he said of the funeral home. "I enjoy business. It's a challenge to me." Through the years, in between handling such cases as Roxanne Pulitzer's divorce in 1982, or dabbling in citrus or cattle, he's kept an eye out for opportunities.
The funeral home is open to all, Farish said. But he's pleased to offer services so close to the South Florida VA National Cemetery. About 4,500 are buried there, with room for 400,000 total.
The funeral home is in the former South Florida Farm Credit Bank. The property was zoned for commercial use, but residents of nearby Heritage Farms fought the transformation to a funeral home. They were concerned the business would increase traffic. Two years ago, Farish won the OK to go ahead.
Farish has hired Michael Meadows, a funeral director for more than 24 years. About 10 days ago, even though Palm Beach National's furniture was not all in, Meadows was able to accommodate the funeral of a neighbor. His family wanted the service near their house. Meadows said, "We'll make it work." And he did.
Perhaps from experience, Farish doesn't seem troubled by concerns that might cause another person to blanche at starting a new business -- or this business in particular.
For instance, isn't he worried about launching a company during a recession?
Nope, he said: "The good Lord takes care of people every day."
And as he shows off a room bearing samples of caskets, he is asked whether the surroundings give rise to thoughts of his own mortality.
"I try not to think about it," he said with a wink.
