Our History
Aaron - Hodroff and Sons Funeral Home was established over 90 years ago in St. Paul. Two years later, the Hodroff family moved to the old Temple Israel located on 5th and 10th street in Minneapolis, while the Aaron family remained in St. Paul. The funeral home was relocated again to its present location at 126 East Franklin Avenue. The Hodroff's also had a location in North Minneapolis for a number of years. Abe Hodroff founded the funeral home. His two sons, Leo and William joined him in running the business. The Hodroff's later opened a location in St. Paul.
The funeral home changed hands twice before the Epstein family purchased it in June, 2004 from Service Corp International. No stranger to Minneapolis or to the Hodroff funeral homes, it was there that Henry Epstein began his career in funeral service. He worked at Hodroff's from the time he graduated from the University of Minnesota mortuary science school in 1968 until 1978. The Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapel Chapels are once again family owned and operated, a fact we are extremely proud of.
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Henry Epstein Owner, Funeral Director
Henry is the owner of the Louis Memorial Chapel, Kansas City, Missouri, the Epstein Memorial Chapel, Columbus, Ohio; and Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapels Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Henry began his career in funeral service in 1968. He has found funeral service, and particularly, serving families, to be an extremely rewarding career.
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Michael Epstein Funeral Director
Michael was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned his Mortuary Science degree. He is a licensed funeral director in both Minnesota and Ohio. Michael worked for Service Corporation International, in Minnesota and Georgia, before returning to the family business in 2000. He is married to his wife Rebecca and they have three children; Livia, Alexander and Eli. Michael is proud to serve on many boards and committees in the local community.
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Teri Bretz Funeral Director
Teri recently joined the family business after practicing periodontology for nine years. She currently resides in Eden Prairie with her husband, Jason and two children, Halle and Evan.
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James Wardlow Manager, Funeral Director
Jim is a licensed funeral director and General Manager of the Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapels. He has worked for the Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapels since 1979. A graduate of the Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Jim is married and has two grown daughters. Jim resides in New Brighton, MN.
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Jeff Goldstein Funeral Director
Jeff has worked for the Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapels for many years as a funeral director and facilities manager. He graduated from the University of Minnesota and has worked in the funeral industry for 30 years. Jeff is married with two daughters and lives in Maple Grove.
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Erin Beeson Funeral Director
Erin has worked for the Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapels since September 2006. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1997 and has worked in the funeral industry since then. Erin lives in Blaine, MN with her husband, Mark; and two daughters, Sophia and Nora.
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Carol Cocchiarella
Carol has worked for the Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapels since 2004 as the office administrator. She has worked in the funeral industry for many years. Carol was born and raised in St. Paul and currently resides in Spring Lake Park.
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David Levy
David is a licensed funeral director in the State of Minnesota and Ohio. He graduated from the University of Minnesota and has worked with the Epstein Family since 2000. He currently resides in Columbus, OH with his wife, Julie and children, Josephine, Elizabeth and Leo.
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Emily Jasperson Funeral Director
Emily is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. She has recently completed the National Emerging Leaders Program through the National Funeral Directors Association. As a licensed insurance agent, Emily assists families with funeral pre-planning and pre-funding. Born and raised in Moose Lake, MN, she currently lives in Minneapolis with her wife, Jill.
