West Seattle businesses: Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home getting its new location ready

The only business that is moving because of the 4755 Fauntleroy Way (Whole Foods, etc.) megaproject – Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home – is getting its new location ready. Howden-Kennedy’s Len Burton-Hardin told us during West Seattle Summer Fest, when the Rotary Club of West Seattle (which he leads as its current president) joined us in the Info Booth, that HK had just received the keys to its new home at 35th and Ida in the Gatewood area (formerly Michael’s Barber Shop, whose owner retired), and today he sends word that sign work has begun at the new location, adding, “We hope to be in the temporary location by August 26th.” It won’t be an exact replica in size or scope; Burton-Hardin explains that the funeral business is changing, as families’ needs and interests change, and the need for a large chapel is no longer what it was, so they’ll be focusing the new Howden-Kennedy facility more on life celebrations than somber memorials. They will be opening their office first at the new location, and then adding new facilities on the site. Howden-Kennedy is just seven years short of its centennial!

MRS.SR July 31, 2013 (1:22 pm)

Interesting choice, such a small location. Maybe they will rent space from Mars Hill for services? Glad to see they are staying in WS.

WSB July 31, 2013 (1:56 pm)

Mrs., I believe the additional facility we mention will replace a house to be torn down elsewhere on the site.

hopey July 31, 2013 (1:58 pm)

Oh good! I was hoping they wouldn’t just close the business. Long-standing family businesses such as these are part of what make West Seattle special.

sc July 31, 2013 (2:17 pm)

Since I moved to West Seattle in 1987 one former funeral home is now a dentist office, one is a china shop and one is a law office. This is the first one to be torn down!

NW July 31, 2013 (2:45 pm)

Sure would be nice to see some of those LIVING trees and plants at the current HK location dug up and replanted so they can continue living. I wonder if HK has already removed some or has plans to do so?

WSB July 31, 2013 (3:21 pm)

NW – they don’t own the property any more. So that would be up to the property’s new owners …

Todd July 31, 2013 (6:01 pm)

Welcome to the neighborhood! It’s good to see that even though they were displaced by the big project, they are still in business and in West Seattle!

Neighbor July 31, 2013 (6:13 pm)

Sure would have been more neighborly to let those homes surrounding the new funeral home site know ahead of time, so that they could make decisions on whether or not they want to be located not only next to a mini-mega church but a funeral home as well. How rude.

JayDee July 31, 2013 (7:43 pm)

Our family had good service through Howden-Kennedy and we appreciated their honesty regarding services they provide. At the time I picked them at random, but they were quite good and at no time were they pushy. They mentioned the upcoming move and how they wanted to stay part of West Seattle even though they were forced to moved. Two thumbs up.

Kathi July 31, 2013 (8:10 pm)

I am so thankful that Howden Kennedy will still be in West Seattle. I’ve known this family all my life. Mrs. Kennedy was a wonderful Sunday School teacher. My entire family have been buried and memorialized because of this wonderful family business. This new property looks so tiny and no parking, but I know that Mr. And Mrs. Kennedy are watching down from heaven and will assist to guide this new project to fruition.

Silly Goose July 31, 2013 (9:17 pm)

I am so impressed that you are evoloving right along with the current demographics of todays beliefs. I have attended many a beautiful funeral service hosted by your staff, all top shelf, YAY you are staying in West Seattle I will take a look every time I pass now looking for the new home. Good Luck

jW July 31, 2013 (9:41 pm)

I object to the blithe references to the “megaproject.” Feels like the result of politics, rather than the reporting of something like objective truth.

WSB July 31, 2013 (9:57 pm)

JW, I choose my words, nobody else, no politics. I call it a megaproject on some references because it is the largest project ever proposed in West Seattle. That’s a fact. But as I explained to someone who objected to the term in an e-mail exchange a month or so ago, I used that term years ago for smaller projects, which were in the context of the time the largest projects being pursued here, though about half the size of this one.
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First reference in our archives, six and a half years ago (Capco Plaza): https://westseattleblog.com/2007/02/coming-going-building – also used the term for what was Fauntleroy Place (currently Spruce) – https://westseattleblog.com/2007/06/progress-for-the-other-ws-megaproject – and the formerly Conner, currently Equity Residential two-building Junction project – https://westseattleblog.com/2009/04/bulletin-conner-homes-junction-project-done-with-design-review
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As for 4755 Fauntleroy, first time the term “megaproject” shows in the archives is last September, https://westseattleblog.com/2012/09/4755-fauntleroy-development-1st-look-at-street-level-concepts – long before politicians paid any attention to it. – TR

miws July 31, 2013 (9:54 pm)

jW, WTF?

It’s a very large project, hence a “mega” projetct.

Mike

jW July 31, 2013 (10:14 pm)

It is large for West Seattle. I’m not denying that.

But I think it’s worth questioning. Do we refer to SCCC as a “megacampus?” No. But is quite large. It’s just that we’re used to it, and the politics of constructing it are long forgotten.

I guess I also raise the objection because I read the site of gettingitright4ws, and, though I don’t object to all of their aims, I also noted the repeated usage of the exact same term, which was an important thing that framed their agenda. It’s noticeable.

The project is certainly “mega” if your frame of reference is right there. If your frame of reference is all of Seattle, then not as much. And yes, I realize this is the West Seattle Blog. But we also are all Seattleites.

jW July 31, 2013 (10:32 pm)

Additionally, I would wager that this is actually not “the largest project ever proposed in West Seattle.” What’s been built at High Point over the past 7-8 years is vastly larger in space occupied and, I’m guessing, people housed. It’s just many more buildings, spread out. But to me, that was a single project.

WhyChange August 1, 2013 (7:45 am)

And the IRONY about the High Point project…it’s sprawl. It’s a more people spread out over a larger space (everyone wants their “lawn”) with more cars. I know people freak out over a big tall/dense project like this “mega” one, but guys, it’s MORE ecological (I thought Seattle was all about being green/ecological?). Manhattan is more “green” than Kirkland or Redmond or West Seattle. Density is better for the environment, sprawl is the enemy. Having more people in the same area, not having each one with 1/4 acre of chemically treated grass lawn, and having less parking and more of them using Rapid Ride or other transit ride outside the doorstep, that’s a GOOD thing. Being able to “walk” downstairs to get a gallon of milk and hit the drug store. Good. Having multiple bus routes RIGHT on the street in front of the build. Good.

let them swim August 2, 2013 (10:25 am)

10,890 sq. ft. = 1/4 acre. Most W.S. lots are 5,700-6,500 sq. ft. with a house. I’ll take W.S. over Concrete Jungle Manhatten.

Vicki Harrington August 2, 2013 (12:33 pm)

The new Howden-Kennedy site is a half block from me and my neighbors on SW Ida St. We also heard that the auto shop next door to Mike the barber’s house was for sale. Is HK planning to buy that property as well? Welcome to our neighborhood!

Neighbor August 4, 2013 (5:47 pm)

Owning the commercially-zoned house directly behind the new funeral home location, it would have been more neighborly of them to let us know that we are now located next to a funeral home as well as across from a mega church! Maybe they should purchase ours too, since it will be difficult to rent out.