The Story of Two Bethlehem Funeral Homes
Since the early 1940s, when Daniel Snyder opened and operated the Snyder Funeral Home, from his residence at 527 Center Street, a special relationship began with the families of Center City and North Bethlehem. Through his vision and in an effort to meets the needs of the families he served, he expanded the funeral home and into what we have today. In the Early 1970s, Harlan Hinkle, who was operating a Funeral Home in West Bethlehem, saw a need to expand his growing funeral home. A strong friendship developed and Harlan Hinkle and Dan Snyder, who was looking to retire, decided to join their firms and create the Snyder Hinkle Funeral Home. Under Harlan Hinkle's ownership, the Snyder Hinkle Firm continued to grow and its reputation compassionate and reverent care became well known in the Bethlehem community. When Harlan Hinkle decided to retire in the early 1990s, the firm was sold to Susan Spatig. However in in early 2000, it was once again taken back by Harlan Hinkle, when Susan decided to leave funeral service as a career. Harlan had a great concern for the families who called on the Snyder Hinkle Funeral Home in their time of need and wanted to ensure that these families would be cared for. He later sold the firm to John Lunsford, but remained very active in the business. John Lunsford was new to our community and was also the director of the Funeral Service Education program atNorthampton Community College. John was a compassionate and caring man who had a great love for his work. He was an ordained Baptist minister and his empathetic and compassionate care for the families he served was always considered a true asset to the Funeral Home. Harlan remained active working in the funeral home with John, until his death on June 7, 2009.
Compassionate Funeral and Cremation Care Continues
In June 2012, John Lunsford died very suddenly and the funeral home was forced to close temporarily until a new owner was found. On February 15, 2013 the funeral home was sold to Louis C. James, a longtime resident of Bethlehem and a licensed Funeral Director with over 20 years’ experience. Lou knew both John Lunsford and Harlan Hinkle and when the idea of purchasing the firm was initiated; it seemed like a perfect fit. The firm re-opened on March 12, 2013, after a new license was issued by the PA State Board of Funeral Directors.
If you have a need for funeral services immediately,
please call
the funeral home at and we will assist you. The funeral home name has changed to James Funeral Home & Cremation Service, PC. (Successor to: Snyder, Hinkle & Lunsford Funeral Home.)
Our website contains information about our services, and links to meaningful resources. Please continue to watch our website for continued updates and further information about the new owner and new staff of the funeral home. You will also see some familiar names returning to the firm to help you when there is a need of our services. Judith Hinkle, Harlan's wife will continue to assist from time to time with funerals and viewings. Jennifer Nicholas, a licensed Funeral Director, who assisted John Lunsford and families seeking pre-arrangement services, has also returned and will continue to guide families in their options for funeral and cremation services as well as the resources for funding such arrangements.
Our Mission Statement
James Funeral Home and Cremation Service is here to serve the families of Bethlehem and the Greater Lehigh Valley at their time of need. We are here to provide affordable funeral and cremation services and strive to provide a service within everyone’s budget. We are a non-denominational funeral home serving families of all religious faiths and faith communities with Reverence, Dignity and Respect Always.