Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One
In 1875, John deBaptist Kramer established Alexandria’s first funeral home. It was known as “John Kramer, Undertaker” and was located on Fourth Street between Scott and Elliott Streets in downtown Alexandria. John had come to Louisiana from his native Germany and entered the United States through the Port of New Orleans. He settled in Alexandria to work his craft as a cabinetmaker. When a death occurred within the community, a family would approach him to build a coffin. As time went on, he turned his attention toward caring for the bereaved families in their time of need.
Later, his son, Casper P. Kramer, Sr., joined the firm, which became known as “John Kramer & Son”. Casper visited New Orleans and observed the horse drawn hearses pulled by handsome white horses with plums adorning their harnesses. He purchased his first hearse and had it delivered to Alexandria. In September 1936, Casper Kramer moved the funeral home from the original location next door into the former residence of our founder on the corner of Fourth and Scott.
Casper P. Kramer, Jr., graduated from St. Stanislaus College in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and continued his education at the Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1930. He was the first of the third generation of Kramers to be a part of the family tradition. After his graduation from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, Victor M. Kramer, the second son of Casper, Sr., joined his father and brother to continue the family owned business.
On December 16, 1951, the funeral home moved into its present location at 2905 Masonic Drive in Alexandria.
Graham Kramer, our current President, represents the fourth generation of the Kramer tradition. He is a graduate of Spring Hill College and the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. Graham is a past Chairman of the Parish Council of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, past President of the Alexandria Rotary Club and past President of the Louisiana Funeral Director’s Association.
Under the leadership of Graham Kramer, the funeral home has opened two branch operations. In July 1998 the Colfax (Grant Parish) location was opened, followed by the Fifth Ward (Avoyelles Parish) branch opening in March 1999.
For over 50 years, Kramer Funeral Home has been a member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, whose membership is offered by invitation only.
