Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home open

MILLERTON — After more than a century of ownership by the Valentine family, Valentine Funeral Home is under the new management of funeral director Scott Conklin.The funeral home, which has been out of operation since February 2011, officially reopened on Jan. 1 of this year as the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home. With his educational background and empathetic nature, Conklin plans to offer community members the same quality of service they received from the Valentine family. A lifelong resident of Dutchess County, Conklin began his career in 1993 when he entered the mortuary science program at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Since then, he has worked as a funeral director for Larry and Katie House at Hufcut Funeral Home in Dover Plains.On his birthday in March 2011, Conklin received a call from Richard “Dick” Valentine, whom he knew professionally, asking if he would be interested in taking over the business, since 1875 was the Valentine Funeral Home. Conklin and his wife, Robin, were immediately interested and began the process to transfer the business. Conklin is pleased with the support that his former employers have offered throughout his transition to Millerton. He feels they are great friends and “wonderful people, the finest funeral directors “I’ve trained under.”Although he now has a business to run, Conklin has a great deal of respect, both personally and professionally, for the Houses. He plans to continue to have a working relationship with them, supporting each other’s businesses as needed.Conklin has always wanted to own and operate a funeral home. He was drawn to this line of work because of the science aspect of the business and his desire to help people in the community. He understands the importance of a gentle bedside manner and the power of empathy when working with families.When working with those who have lost someone, Conklin frequently offers support, coping skills and ideas for keeping busy in the days immediately following a death. Although he understands that many people find their own ways to cope, he is committed to helping make situations as comfortable as possible.“What funeral service is about is making yourself available to the members of the community, should something tragic happen in their lives, recognizing that a death has occurred,” he said, noting that he helps them get through the difficult days that follow.Conklin is “always on call” through his cell phone, pager and answering service. Another aspect of availability is ensuring that the funeral home is in impeccable condition, at all times. Since Conklin became proprietor of the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, he and his family have put much effort into updating the interior and exterior of the building. The result is a fresh, clean, warm and welcoming environment. Of course, the community will see some differences in the way the funeral home is run. Primarily, Conklin will use modern technology to make preparations, create prayer cards and acknowledgment cards in house. He has also secured a web address to launch a web page for the funeral home in the near future.Conklin’s commitment to the community and his profession is evident in his volunteer endeavors. He is a 22-year member of the J.H. Ketcham Hose Company in Dover Plains, serving as an interior firefighter, driver and executive officer. Additionally, he is a member of the New York State Funeral Director’s Association and the Dutchess/Putnam/Ulster County Funeral Director’s Association.Conklin and his family are looking forward to becoming an integral part of the Millerton community.“I want the community to have the confidence that we’re here for them, all the time. We’re just a phone call away,” he said.The new phone number for the funeral home is 518-592-1500.