LANSING, Ill. (April 23, 2024) – For Rosezina Jordan, owning her own funeral business had always been a dream. That dream became a reality with the recent opening of Peace & Paradise Crematorium at 2824 Bernice Road.
An open house was held at the business the evening of April 14 during which Jordan and co-owner Ja’Mal Green thanked their family and friends in attendance.
“This has been a journey for me,” Jordan said. “I’ve been in the funeral business almost 30 years and it’s a ministry. It’s not a job.”
Jordan, who is a licensed funeral director, embalmer, and certified cremation technician, most recently worked as a funeral director at Leak & Sons Funeral Home in Country Club Hills, where she was employed for 19 years.
But now Jordan has branched out on her own, with Green serving as an investment partner.
Bringing cremation services “To another level”
Peace & Paradise will not be a traditional funeral home, but rather will specialize in cremation services.
“They can come in and do a final viewing if they want,” Jordan said. “We have a room for that, before we actually get ready to to do the cremation.”
Those who attended the open house were able to view the cremation chamber and were told how it operates. Green said a second chamber has been ordered and should arrive soon. Peace & Paradise will be able to handle between 10-14 bodies a day on each machine, he said.
Jordan said her business will offer unique services such as scattering of ashes ceremonies, which can include lanterns and doves.
“We’re bringing cremation to another level,” Jordan said.
She said unique urns offered include those in the shape of jewelry and crystal balls.
Green said most funerals now involve cremations and so there is a need for such a business.
“We’re affordable” Green said. We’re going to handle cremations with care. There’s not a lot of crematoriums in the state.”
Standing out in the industry
Green said Peace & Paradise also stands out for another reason.
“This is the first black woman-owned crematorium in the state of Illinois,” Green said.
He said the business has been in the planning stages for a few years but it took a while to find a location and then work on it.
“We retrofitted the building from top to bottom,” Green said.
He said challenges arose such as the sprinkler system that had to be installed, along with underground construction needed to install a new water pipe and gas line.
Jordan said other locations had also been considered.
“We’ve been all over,” Jordan said. “We’ve seen different properties, but Lansing is the one that gave us a chance.”
Peace & Paradise
Jordan explained how the name of the business was chosen due to the sense of calm it gives.
“When someone passes on, people take grief different,” Jordan said. “So you have to be able to meet them where they’re at. So you want to make that journey for them as peaceful as possible. Because now they’ve lost a loved one that will no longer be here in the flesh, but always here in spirit.”
Those wanting to learn more about Peace & Paradise Crematorium can visit daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., call 877-33-PEACE or visit PeaceAndParadiseCrematory.com.
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