ABOVE: Ean Sinn stands in the sanctuary of First Congregational Church in Sherburn, the newest site of his funeral home.

SHERBURN– Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center is soon going to have a presence in Sherburn with the recent purchase of First Congregational Church. This will be in addition to the already established locations in Trimont and Welcome.

The expansion is happening a lot quicker than owner Ean Sinn expected.

“When I started working at 17 at a funeral home, the plan was to run a funeral home in Trimont, Welcome and Sherburn but I thought it would be five or 10 years before we’d ever have something outside of Trimont,” he admitted.

The MCW graduate opened his flagship location, at the site of United Methodist Church in Trimont, in November of 2023. He fixed up the building and in addition to holding funeral services there, he’s opened it up for other community events and the congregation has continued to hold weekly church services there.

In the fall of 2024, he formed a partnership with St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Welcome and is renting that space. It works for both parties as it gives the church building more use and exposure and allows Sinn to have a presence to offer his services in Welcome.

About the new Sherburn location, Sinn said, “I had talked to Pastor Mike (Ennis) and said if they ever want a similar situation to what we have with Trimont I’d be willing to talk about it. I assumed it would be several years down the road and wasn’t quite anticipating we’d have the discussion so soon but it’s a perfect opportunity for us and for the church and for Sherburn so we couldn’t really pass it up.”

He has signed the purchase agreement and is working on closing the deal in the next month. Then he needs to go through the proper state licensing process, which will take some time. However he is hoping for a late spring opening.

“Sherburn has been great to work with,” Sinn said.

Funerals will take place in the sanctuary and as the pews are in good condition, Sinn plans to keep them. He’s pleased with the modern kitchen but has plans to renovate the arrangement room and add a TV for tribute videos. Some other light work, such as painting and replacing flooring and lighting, will be done over the next few months.

“This location will be good for serving not just Sherburn, but Dunnell, Alpha and Jackson,” Sinn said.

The model will be similar to what he has going in Trimont in the sense that the congregation will continue to hold its weekly service there. Heaven’s Table Food Shelf also has a food shelf set up inside the church and Sinn said nothing will change with that.

“We’re going to keep that relationship going. We’re happy to provide the space,” Sinn said.

He also plans to offer the space to rent out for grad parties, bridal showers and class reunions, which has proven to be a popular offering for the Trimont location.

“We’ve got two graduation parties planned for this spring… my goal is to provide the space and get people in the doors,” Sinn said.

Along with him and his wife, Crystal, who assists, staff includes Greg Wohlhuter, Mary Ebeling and Royce Murra. More information on the funeral home can be found at sinnfuneralhome.com.