For 126 years, the Hildebrand Funeral Home has been serving the families of Rhinelander and the surrounding area with compassion. This tradition will continue with the purchase of Hildebrand by Tom and Andrea Kniewel. The couple recently purchased the business and is glad to be living in the Northwoods.
 
“Our son Alex will begin school at Nativity of Our Lord School and is very excited about kindergarten. We are very happy to be living in such a wonderful town as Rhinelander,” said Tom. “We are really excited to be part of this community.”

The couple bought the business from Service Corporation International earlier this month. Tom has been a funeral director for over 30 years and has owned funeral homes in Racine and in Rib Lake. He is well-versed in conducting funerals for many different cultures. He enjoys sharing these experiences with school groups and welcomes the opportunity to speak to confirmation groups, as well as other organizations.
 
“We are very proud of the funeral home,” he said. “At this time, we are currently painting the inside. I love the layout of the funeral home and how it flows, making it easy for people to visit.”

While painting has already begun, other projects for the near future will include creating a children’s room.
 
“It is so important to include children when a family member has died,” Tom said. 

The children’s room will offer board games and TV for children to play video games. There will also be a banquet room where family and friends can gather for a potluck or catered meal. 

“This room is complimentary and we want our funeral home, specifically this room, to be used as an extension of your own home,” said Tom.  “I think it’s so important to offer different options for families. Many times, relatives and friends want to take food to a family’s home; now all are welcome to bring food to our funeral home. We are focused on honoring and celebrating the person’s life.”

Another service offered at Hildebrand Funeral Home is pre-planning services. Jessica Weber, also a licensed funeral director at Hildebrand, assists families in determining the type of services that they are interested in.  

In addition, unique mementos such as Thumbies, which is jewelry imprinted with a loved one’s thumbprint, are available.

“Our motto is ‘Celebrating Lives and Healing Hearts,’ and I truly believe that,” said Tom. “We want our families to know we are caring, compassionate and very affordable, and will assist every family to honor their loved one.”

Hildebrand Funeral Home is located at 24 E. Davenport St. in Rhinelander. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and also by appointment. A website will be available in a few days and the phone number is 715-365-4343.