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AMSTERDAM - Sweeney-Dodds Funeral Home, 207 S. Main St., is receiving the finishing touches on a complete renovation.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see the modernized and upgraded funeral home Nov. 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Lester Dodds and his son Andrew, who joined the firm in 2005, said the changes upgraded the interior from a Victorian look, which was popular when the last major remodeling took place in the 1960s, to a modern look with warm, welcoming wood throughout the building.

The changes include the creation of a library/lounge area, complete with a large gas fireplace for families to

be able to gather away from the main viewing parlor. Lester Dodds noted the library can be closed off with glass doors, allowing for privacy but keeping visibility. A spacious kitchen is provided.

In the main entry hall, a large grandfather clock adds a homey touch, as does a specially made wood credenza. The credenza features slots for Mass and donation cards, as well as locked bins for depositing them. The main viewing parlor is modernized with the addition of soft wall-sconce lighting and can lights across the ceiling. The ceiling itself has been upgraded with wood to create a coffer ceiling which gives a more expansive look to the large parlor. The large front window that lets in natural light has been retained.

"We wanted it to be comfortable and inviting but also open and airy," said Lester Dodds.

The Doddses said the rural areas the funeral home serves, have a sense of family and community that results in people wanting to stay when gathered with one another for viewing or a funeral. The design of the interior of the funeral home reflects the need to be a welcoming place, Lester Dodds said.

"We wanted that family feeling, that people can come and stay," he said.

His son added, "We wanted to give the people something that is nice. They've put their faith in us for so long, we wanted to reinvest."

Throughout the funeral home, a new closed circuit camera system has been installed. Andrew Dodds said the cameras provide security, allowing staff to keep an eye on the funeral home even when they're in the Carrollton funeral home, as well as allowing for recording of services, and streaming of services on the Internet. Eventually, the closed circuit system will be used to provide live feeds throughout the funeral home's TV system for larger funerals.

The Doddses found under the carpeting that the funeral home still had hardwood flooring throughout. The flooring was refinished and put to use.

The changes not only allow for greater comfort for families and guests but also for better traffic flow and serviceability throughout the funeral home.

There is a separate room with a door locked off from the funeral home to allow flower deliveries to be made without interrupting services.

The arrangement and selection room has been moved from the second floor to a spacious room on the main floor of the funeral home, providing easier access as well as a separate entrance.

The Doddses noted the remodeling effort featured products and services from a number of local firms, including all the finished lumber coming from DeNoon Lumber of Bergholz, with structural lumber from DeNoon or Lumber Service. The heating and air conditioning upgrades were by Randalson of Amsterdam, and Eick Electric of Amsterdam did the electrical work. Wheeler Contracting of Carrollton is the general contractor. The interior decoration was done by Tracy Holderbaum of Akron.

(Giannamore's e-mail address is pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)