On September 1, 2000, Mr. Donald and Mrs. Mary Abdur-Rasheed established and opened Serenity Funeral Home, LLC to the Pleasantville, NJ community. As one of the first black-owned  establishments of Pleasantville, it was far more than a challenge to begin their journey in serving the community. Facing obstacles of territory, doubt and scarcity of support, the Abdur-Rasheed’s managed to overcome. While still being full-time employees of Harrah’s Casino, parents, grandparents and wholehearted members of their community, the Abdur-Rasheed’s worked day and night to push and maintain Serenity’s name within the area. There were times where they had to work their full shifts, complete their obligations as business operators, work through some nights with no sleep and still be able to serve families in honor of their loved ones in their final moments before being laid to rest.

 

Managed by Mrs. Mary Abdur-Rasheed, Serenity Funeral Home’s name and reputation has grown to be respected and well-known by the grace of God and our loved customers to support. Mrs. Mary Abdur-Rasheed is a graduate of the University of District of Columbia School of Mortuary Science and has been affiliated with McGuire Funeral Home, Inc., Johnson & Jenkins, both of Washington, D.C., George Washington Medical Center, Washington D.C, The Atlantic County Medical Examiner’s office, Mikal’s Funeral Parlor of Atlantic City, NJ, Bagwell Funeral Home of Pennsgrove, NJ and Tunsil Funeral Homes, Inc of Palmyra, NJ.

 

Married for 53 years to Donald Abdur-Rasheed, a mother of three and grandmother to many, Mary brings a feeling of warmth and sensitivity to the Funeral Service profession that brings comfort to families.

 

With 22 years of business to reflect on, Mr. Donald and Mrs. Mary Abdur-Rasheed have made a significant impact on the community of Pleasantville and the Southern Jersey Area and will continue to do so.