VIDALIA, La. – Young’s Funeral Home has just opened what is Vidalia’s only funeral home – and Young’s first new location in more than 25 years.

&uot;Before, people in Vidalia would have to travel to Natchez or Ferriday for funeral services,&uot; said Casey Young, general manager of Young’s Funeral Home. &uot;Now, we can provide them with services closer to home.&uot;

And the goal is not only to provide convenient services, but to do so with a personal touch.

But Young, who will be based at the new location, said that has been a part of the business’ philosophy ever since his grandparents, Leo Young Sr. and Pete Young, established their first funeral home in Ferriday in 1934.

That location was followed with a second funeral home in Jonesville 40 years later.

&uot;I’ve worked at several other funeral homes, and I’ve seen that it’s easy to get caught up in the business aspect of it and not think about the details,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;But this is the last memory a person will have of their loved one, so we’re attentive to every small detail.&uot;

For example, when the Youngs renovated the former Unifed bank building near the foot of the Mississippi River bridge to serve as its Vidalia location, they wanted to create peaceful environment.

So they replaced the stark black-and-white colors of the building’s interior with lighter, more neutral colors and coordinated furniture and paintings &uot;to create a serene, warm feel,&uot; Young said.

That includes the &uot;family room,&uot;&160;where Young meets with families to discuss funeral arrangements, as well as the &uot;memories room,&uot;&160;where families are encouraged to set up pictures and other mementoes of their loved ones. The building’s central room doubles as a space in which to seat those attending a funeral, and the adjacent visitation room can be converted into additional funeral seating.

Young said he and the other owners of Young’s Funeral Home – his father, Leo Young Jr., and his uncle, John Young – discussed the move to Vidalia for three years, ever since Casey Young moved to the town.

&uot;We’re looking forward to serving the people of Vidalia,&uot;&160;he said.