Roth-Gerst Funeral Home

Roth-Gerst Funeral Home Roth-Gerst is a funeral home serving the Lowell and Grand Rapids, MI Area.

At Gerst, we want to come alongside you, from providing resources for preplanning and support through grief to equipping...
03/13/2026

At Gerst, we want to come alongside you, from providing resources for preplanning and support through grief to equipping you to help others navigate their grief. Signing up for our eNewsletter gives you access to our newest blog, grief resources, upcoming events, and more each month. Click to join today: https://bit.ly/3Xyz2TD

Losing a friend carries a grief that is often quiet. But deeply profound.It’s the loss of shared memories, inside jokes,...
03/13/2026

Losing a friend carries a grief that is often quiet. But deeply profound.

It’s the loss of shared memories, inside jokes, late-night conversations, and the person who knew chapters of your story in a way no one else did. Friendship grief can feel different. It may not always be publicly recognized in the same way as family loss, but it is real. It matters. And it deserves space.

We are here to help honor every relationship that made that life meaningful.

We are deeply honored to support you and your family through this season of grief. Every story, every relationship, and ...
03/11/2026

We are deeply honored to support you and your family through this season of grief. Every story, every relationship, and every life is important to us. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey.

Four small words that can mean so much. When someone is grieving, one of the greatest gifts you can offer is the opportu...
03/09/2026

Four small words that can mean so much. When someone is grieving, one of the greatest gifts you can offer is the opportunity to remember out loud. To speak their name. To share their stories. To laugh, to cry, to honor the life that mattered so deeply.

Inviting someone to talk about the person they’ve lost reminds them that their life is still seen, still valued, and still remembered.

What is something someone said to you in your grief journey that helped you?

03/06/2026

Pre-planning ensures your preferences are known. From burial or cremation to music, readings, and personal touches. It gives you a voice in how your life is remembered. Learn more about pre-planning & pre-arranging here: https://gerstfuneralhomes.com/pre-arrangement/

Planning from out of state can feel overwhelming — especially during a season of loss.We’re honored to walk alongside fa...
03/03/2026

Planning from out of state can feel overwhelming — especially during a season of loss.

We’re honored to walk alongside families wherever they are, providing guidance, compassion, and steady support every step of the way.

Thank you for trusting Gerst to help make a difficult time a little easier.

The start of planning a funeral amidst the recent loss of a loved one can feel overwhelming, and it can be hard to know ...
02/27/2026

The start of planning a funeral amidst the recent loss of a loved one can feel overwhelming, and it can be hard to know where to begin. If you or someone you care about is unsure how to plan a meaningful celebration of life, we’re here to guide you through each step with care and support. Connect with one of the funeral directors today and get the support you need: https://bit.ly/4e7TRfc

There are many options open to you when it comes to cremation planning and honoring your loved one’s life. After the cre...
02/25/2026

There are many options open to you when it comes to cremation planning and honoring your loved one’s life. After the cremation and memorial services, there are a variety of choices for your loved one’s final resting place. Explore options: https://bit.ly/4jw3Xck

Grief can make familiar environments feel different. Crowds may feel louder, conversations harder, and traditions heavie...
02/23/2026

Grief can make familiar environments feel different. Crowds may feel louder, conversations harder, and traditions heavier. During this time, your emotional energy may be limited, and that’s completely normal. Attending every event is not a measure of love or strength. Instead, it’s important to honor what you can handle.

Giving yourself permission to decline social invitations allows you to protect your energy and focus on healing. It’s a way to respect your grief, acknowledge your feelings, and create space for rest and reflection.

There are many uncertainties when a relative dies while traveling away from home. The state laws and regulations that co...
02/20/2026

There are many uncertainties when a relative dies while traveling away from home. The state laws and regulations that control your options vary depending on which state you’re in, and it can be difficult to keep track of what you can and cannot do. The process of just being able to bring your loved one home can put a strain on your mental and physical well-being, but this burden is mitigated when you have proper Out-of-Area Protection.

Out-of-Area Protection makes obtaining the proper permits and complying with state and international laws much easier. It also allows your family to peacefully and patiently navigate these tricky processes while you cope with your tremendous loss. Learn more about Gerst’s Out-of-Area Protection: https://bit.ly/4i7rkrF

Grief is exhausting, and these feelings can become exaggerated during the slower pace of winter. Understanding and ident...
02/18/2026

Grief is exhausting, and these feelings can become exaggerated during the slower pace of winter. Understanding and identifying how it may show up can help you take small, steady acts of care to support yourself through the winter months. Grief may show up as:

- Increased sadness or tearfulness
- Low motivation or energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleeping more than usual
- Wanting to withdraw from others

Remember to stay connected to loved ones, rest without guilt, and ask for support when you need it. Read more about grief in the winter: https://bit.ly/4bP8N3t

While you are processing grief, you are not required to always “find the positive” or acknowledge that “at least, you ar...
02/16/2026

While you are processing grief, you are not required to always “find the positive” or acknowledge that “at least, you aren’t…” anything. You are allowed to feel sad. You are allowed to feel angry. You are allowed to be upset, tired, or depressed. You don’t need to make excuses for your heartbreak and grief.

Address

305 N. Hudson
Lowell, MI
49331

Telephone

+16168977101

Website

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Premier Grand Rapids & Lowell Funeral Homes

The O’Brien Funeral Home became a licensed funeral home in Grand Rapids in 1885, located in the downtown area. This was Grand Rapids’ first funeral home, P.H. O’Brien was the original owner. The establishment moved to its new location on Jefferson Ave. several years later. Bonnie O’Brien, son of P.H. O’Brien, and Joseph O’Brien, grandson of P.H. O’Brien, operated the business at the Jefferson location. In 1968, Joseph O’Brien built a new facility at the present location at Cascade and East Paris intersection, completing the first project in early 1969.