The story behind Price Funeral Chapel in Citrus Heights
By Thomas J. Sullivan – Citrus Heights Sentinel
Every Easter for the past few decades, drivers passing by Price Funeral Chapel in Citrus Heights were accustomed to seeing a large cross display with blooming white lilies set up facing traffic on Sunrise Boulevard.
Although the display hasn’t appeared in recent years, Price Funeral Chapel has remained at the site at 6335 Sunrise Blvd. for nearly 60 years — making it among the oldest, still-open businesses in Citrus Heights.
Citrus Heights looked much different in 1961, remembers Ben Price. His parents Del and Fay Price originally moved to the not-yet-incorporated community of Citrus Heights from Southern California to open what would become Price Funeral Chapel.
“I was just 11 years old when we moved here,” he told The Sentinel in a recent interview.
Ben recalled that the bustling corner of Greenback Lane and Sunrise Boulevard wasn’t the fast-paced intersection it has now become. Citrus Heights was a very different, more rural community.
“Where the restaurants including Texas Roadhouse are now, there was just a residence back then,” Price said. “The Shell gas station was just an old-fashioned service station and not the modern store it is now.”
The area had only one funeral home in the immediate vicinity. George Lambert had founded Lambert Funeral Home in 1936 on Vernon Street in Roseville, which is now used by the Roseville City Council.
Price Funeral Chapel, Inc. was incorporated in 1961 as Price and Shoemaker Northridge Funeral Service, reflecting the neighborhood’s name, which was then known as Northridge.
“My father Del was quite active and enthusiastically involved in the community, including the park district, supporting Little League, the Citrus Heights Rotary Club, and his church just to name a few,” said Price. “He genuinely enjoyed helping the community and in building friendships here.”
This excerpt was taken with permission from the Citrus Heights Sentinal – April 20, 2019