Dream Home Catch: 5-Bedroom House for Sale
An Illinois family has turned heads by purchasing a former funeral home and transforming it into their dream dwelling.Ashley Berken and her family now reside in the unique property, complete with a former embalming room and casket showroom. this unusual real estate find offered the family an affordable entry to the housing market, sparking both curiosity and intrigue. The story showcases the family’s heartwarming renovation journey, documented on tiktok, where they’re converting the space into a loving home full of positive energy. They’re embracing the building’s history and creating a family haven. For more stories that shape our world, check out News Directory 3 for the latest updates. Discover what’s next, the possibilities are endless!
Family Finds Dream Home in Former Funeral Home
An illinois family has found their dream home in an unusual location: a former funeral home. Ashley Berken and her family now reside in the converted space, which includes unique features like a former embalming room.
Berken calls one of the rooms her “mom sanctuary.” The family discovered the home’s past when they “noticed the ramps in the garage for body transport,” she said.
After some research, Berken confirmed the house’s history.For her, it was a dream come true, reminiscent of the movie My Girl, where the main character lives in a funeral home.
“There’s something deeply special to me about a place that holds so much history and love,” berken said. “It feels like this house has a heart and a story of its own.”
Berken said that they might not have been able to afford the house if it hadn’t been a funeral home, “as some people are a bit wary of the idea.” The family, including their children, two wiener dogs, and three cats, are thriving in the unique space.
Funeral homes typically provide facilities for memorial services, cremation and burial arrangements, and embalming, according to Earth Funeral.
Berken documents the family’s renovations on TikTok, gaining a large following. Videos show everything from roof repairs to plumbing work.
In one video, Berken showed the embalming room and casket showroom, complete with a ramp leading to the kitchen. “This is where the bodies were wheeled from the garage,” she explained.
The former embalming room still has the original sink used to drain body fluids.Berken is considering using the well-lit room for growing plants.
The former casket showroom will become a hangout space for the children.
the TikTok video has been viewed more than 640,000 times. One commenter, identifying as a funeral director, said, “Most old prep rooms give me the creeps but this one seems like such a safe space.”
Another commenter suggested a spiritual cleansing. Others were less keen.
Berken said that if there are any spirits, “it’s all positive energy and love,” though she admitted, “we’ve had a few large items mysteriously disappear!”
Berken has connected with a woman who grew up in the house when her father ran the funeral home. “She shared childhood stories of playing in the casket showroom and her memories of the house, which has made me love it even more,” berken said.