Jewish funeral home opens Clearwater location

Inside the new David C. Gross Funeral Homes chapel in Clearwater. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Pinellas and Pasco Counties’ only mainly Jewish funeral homes, opened a chapel in Clearwater on July 17, to complement its longtime St. Petersburg location.

Located on Belcher Road half mile north of Gulf-to-Bay, the 6,000 square-foot facility was formerly Rhodes Funeral Directors, Belcher Chapel.

“Belcher Road offers accessibility from St. Pete all the way to Pasco County,” said company President and General Manager David C. Gross. “After four years of extensive searching and planning, when we learned this location was available for acquisition, we acted quickly, albeit during a terrible economic time.”

Gross noted the location and extensive size as selling points.

The search for a new centralized north Pinellas location began in 2004 when the company was suddenly forced to vacate its leased Clearwater building behind Sylvan Abbey Cemetery.

Since then, families from as far north as Hudson have made the trek to Gross’ longtime Central Avenue location in St. Petersburg for ritual preparation of their loved ones and Jewish funeral care.

“The families have been so understanding,” said Michael Gross, a second-generation Jewish funeral director and company vice-president. “Even though the driving time between our locations is only 30 minutes, it seems like forever when you are grieving.”

“Everyone knows where Belcher Road is, so this is going to make a big difference for our families” he said.

The Clearwater funeral home recently underwent a complete interior renovation and exterior landscaping project. Its main lobby can be accessed through two covered entrances. The main chapel seating can expand from 75 persons to over 300. A large family room is just off the chapel where 75-100 friends can be received prior to services.

A special feature of the funeral home is the adjoining reception center. “Many families living in small homes or condos need a larger place to hold shiva or a gathering,” said David Gross. “This facility will enable us to also serve those needs.”

The David C. Gross Funeral Home in St. Petersburg will also continue serving families from its historic Central Avenue location.

The “Beth David Chapel” designation previously used in the funeral home’s name is still in use, David Gross said, but has been dropped from the name to avoid confusion. The focus now will be on the Central Avenue Chapel in St. Petersburg, and the Belcher Road Chapel in Clearwater.

Both locations are open daily except for Shabbat.

The funeral home directors are members of the Jewish Funeral Directors of America, but the funeral home is mainly, but not exclusively Jewish. David Gross said it is the company’s policy to serve all faiths. “We do not discriminate. With more and more (Jewish families) being interfaith, that is reassuring for families to know.”