Ashes Returned

We ship or hand-deliver your loved one’s ashes in an eco-friendly urn.

Desmond Tutu, a South-African Anglican bishop and theologian, was the inspiration for Endswell Funeral Home. For his last act on the planet, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and anti-apartheid activist chose to be aquamated rather than cremated.

News sources all over the world picked up the story; and it was the first time that most people had ever heard of aquamation. His decision has had a profound impact on the death care industry and served as Hunter Beattie’s inspiration to open Endswell.

While sitting near a cemetery in Carrboro, North Carolina, I read that former Archbishop of Capetown, Desmond Tutu, had chosen to be aquamated. Coincidentally, no more than 50 feet away, a grave was being prepared. I sat there, considering the non-biodegradable caskets, the carcinogenic chemicals like formaldehyde, and the practice of cutting off public land from productive use by the community. These characteristics of our modern burial practices stood in stark contrast to Tutu’s decision to be aquamated.

Over the next few days, I read countless articles about green burial, aquamation, embalming, cremation, funeral care and anything else related to this sphere of human experience that goes largely unnoticed until we need these services. On day five, I purchased an aquamation machine. It seemed impulsive at the time, and my wife and I both questioned my sanity; but every experience along this journey has confirmed that this adventure will be a profound and meaningful one.

After my father’s traumatic death, I buried his loss and my memories of him under an avalanche of diversions and distractions. Starting Endswell is both an offering to this community as well as my own attempt to heal my relationship with loss and grief. Funeral care involves the profound act of caring for the deceased – of being the last person to care for the body. It also involves being present and supportive of the individuals facing their own death or the death of their loved ones.

Death can feel disorienting and isolating, especially in a society that wants us to get back to “normal” after the funeral. From my own experience, I know that grief is not linear. And each step along the death journey is incredibly impactful. One of the most vulnerable parts of this journey is trusting a funeral home to care for the body of the person you love. This requires intimate respect, consideration and experience.

At Endswell, my hope is that you, your family, and friends feel supported, informed, and connected during this process. Each family I meet is an extension of my own, so I want to thank you for putting your trust in me. It is an honor to serve you and this community.

Veronica is Hunter Beattie’s life-partner and the co-owner of Endswell Funeral Home. She currently serves on Orange County’s Commission for the Environment and works in the solar industry as the Vice President of Quality for Blue Ridge Power. Veronica has backpacked all over the world, homesteaded on a mini-farm in Hillsborough, and dedicated her professional career to renewable energy.

Joshua’s journey into the deathcare industry began in 2014, motivated by personal tragedies and a desire for a deeper understanding of death. After transitioning from a nursing career to Mortuary Science at the Pittsburgh Institute, he shifted his focus towards elevating the funeral services industry, founding his own mortuary services company.

Joshua’s engagement in the eco-friendly death care movement through his work at Endswell highlights his commitment to environmentally friendly burial options, signaling a broader change in societal attitudes towards death.

As Funeral Director and Funeral Home Manager of Endswell, Joshua plays a pivotal role in transforming the industry. He guides families throughout their experience at the funeral home, oversees all Advanced Planning, and embraces eco-conscious funeral services.

This ensures that the company’s operations are not only efficient but also align with greener and more compassionate approaches to deathcare, providing peace of mind and respect for the environment.

I was drawn to this role at Endswell because of my deep sense of empathy for individuals who are confronting their own mortality or dealing with the death of a friend or family member.

Through my own experiences with traditional funeral homes, I became inspired to find a different approach to death care. This led me to join an organization that is changing the way that people experience death, dying, and remembrance. My previous life experience has involved lactation support, serving as a deputy register of deeds, managing an electrical company, and working in estate planning law.

At Endswell, my goal is to guide and support individuals as they plan for end-of-life care by offering a modern approach to funeral care that is human-focused and environmentally friendly.

LeVonda Deloatch was one of the first people who Endswell entrusted to manage our transportation services. Like others on our transportation team, she shows unparalleled respect and care for the families we serve. 

LeVonda Deloatch founded her transportation company to elevate this service within the funeral industry. She shows the highest level of respect when caring for the deceased and transporting them to Endswell. We work with them 24/7 to take your loved one into our care, with absolute respect and dignity.