Minor Funeral and Cremation Center

06/06/2026

We wanted to discuss the different forms of ownership, rather what ownership of the funeral homes currently in the United States. Most funeral homes such as us are what we refer to as "family owned" are owned by the folks in the funeral home. I think it is akin to to "mom and pop stores".

There are also some corporate funeral home companies. Those include but not limited to Service Corporation International ( branded as Dignity Memorial ) Carriage Funeral Services, both of these currently do not operate in Vermont but may have in the past and transitioned out. Rollins Funeral Service and Milestone Funeral Partners are currently operating funeral homes in Vermont. There are a few others, that are not as big as Service Corp International or Carriage, and are probably along the size of Milestone and Rollings but none of them are somewhat local that we are aware of.

All of the corporate should have their own trademarks and this is in no way attempting to gain off of their names, violate the trademarks or any attempt of any broach of what I call fair and balanced opportunity or dishonesty or any of that garbage, but rather is an attempt educate and be transparent.

This is not to say any form of ownership, be family owned, or corporate is better than the other. Rather it is intended to educate the consumer. As for us, we are family owned, I ( Jonathan ) have 3 children in the school system one being a sophmore, one in kindergarten and one in pre k. I have no intentions of transitioning out of ownership within the next 15 years or so and am fully vested in community.

There are perks and downsides to each set of ownership. I wont get it into that because that is whole story, not enough time.

Also, if any of those organizations feel some of this info is incorrect, please give me a call so we can correct the info. Certainly want to be fair and transparent and if something is not correct informationally, we would like to correct.

06/04/2026

A cookie cutter approach works for some things. But not when you want it to really mean something.

Be wary of other funeral services that try to fit your story into a prepackaged plan.

Let's hear the details that really matter, and find the best way to present them from there. Your way.

This is your story, told with your hands.

06/03/2026

Grief has a strange way of changing what a “milestone” looks like.

Sometimes it’s the big moments.
The first birthday without them.
The first holiday.
The anniversary you were dreading for weeks.

But sometimes the milestones are quieter than that.

The first time you laugh again without feeling guilty.
The first morning you wake up and notice the weight isn’t quite as heavy.
The first story you’re finally able to tell about them without breaking down halfway through.

Healing never happens all at once. Hell, sometimes healing even feels like falling apart. But you are stronger than you know.

06/02/2026

Robert Arnold Rivers

ST. ALBANS – Robert Arnold Rivers, age 24, passed away unexpectedly on May 31, 2026. Robbie was born February 22, 2002, to Kelly and Aaron Rivers. He grew up in St. Albans with his three siblings and more friends than seemed possible. He was a junior member of the St. Albans Town Volunteer Fire Department in his early teens and graduated from BFA St. Albans.

His love of cars, tractors, and anything with a motor started early, and he could always be found in the garage working on something. His Dad was his first and longest garage companion, working together on numerous projects over the years. As Robbie got older, the garage became the place for him and his friends to work on projects together too and you could find Hunter and Zach Fav there on nearly any given day, the three of them tinkering on something together or separately, didn’t matter. Aaron had to be on the lookout during that era though, because Robbie was known to snag a tool or two here and there as needed. Outside of the garage Robbie was looking for the next best deal – trading, buying and selling anything that was related to a motor in any way. But nothing filled Robbie’s heart more than becoming a dad. He was so excited for Lainey to arrive – he lit up in her presence; he doted on her and made her is little sidekick from day one. She might even already know how to change your oil for you!

Robbie was so kind – celebrating others with small gestures and helping wherever there was a need. He was loving – fully showing up for those he cared about, but no one more than his sweet Lainey. He was adventurous – to dare Robbie was to watch him do whatever crazy idea you came up with. His smile lit up any room, and his laugh was instantly contagious; you weren’t getting away with a bad mood around him.

Robbie is survived by his baby girl Lainey Joy Rivers and girlfriend Sophia Heth; parents Kelly and Aaron Rivers; sister Emily Rivers, her fiancé Christopher Bessette and daughter Ellie Besestte; sister Jenna Rivers; brother Jonathan Rivers; maternal grandparents Dwayne and Patty Densmore; several aunts, uncles, cousins and an unlimited number of friends. He was pre-deceased by his paternal grandparents Arnold and DiAnne Rivers.

The family would like to extend their immense gratitude to the Sheldon Fire Department!

Visiting hours will be Saturday, June 6th 10:00am – 1:00pm at Minor’s Funeral Home, 237 Route 7 South, Milton, VT. A celebration of life will take place 2:00pm – 7:00pm, at The Manor, 464 Highgate Rd, Highgate Center, VT 05459. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Robbie’s honor to The Afterglow Foundation, Inc., 1 La Cresta Drive, St. Albans, VT 05478 - www.afterglowfoundation.com.

View Robert Arnold Rivers's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/01/2026

We’re honored to accept this flattering recognition by the Associated Funeral Directors of the Upper Connecticut Valley.

The support and feedback we receive from the community means everything to us.

We're especially honored when we receive words encouragement from others in the funeral profession on how refreshing our approach is.
We sincerely appreciate that.

It reminds us that we're all searching for the best ways to have these uncomfortable conversations.
The best ways to manage life's most demanding emotions.
And that the more the voices vary,
the more opportunity we have
for an answer to be heard.

It's refreshing to be reminded that my people feel the same.

05/30/2026

Today, we would like to talk about the unsung or unknown portion of funeral service. There are services which we provide directly ourselves, and some of which are entirely 3rd party. When we arrive at the cemetery, and the grave is dug, that's we call third party, those costs are cash advances or lack of better term pass through. What ever the cost is, is what you pay. There is merchandise, such as the casket and the outer burial container, which we provide but we purchase the items from our vendors.

The 3rd party folks are whom we affectionately refer to as the unsung hero's of funeral service. They are completely unaffiliated with the funeral home but without them, we can NOT have funerals at those locations. These folks include but not limited to: churches, cemeteries, gravediggers, sextants, medical examiners, and the doctors who sign the death certificates, even the town clerks who print the certified copies of the death certificates.

While we do not control 3rd parties we do our best to work with them and get them on board with the services requested.

Pictured here is a sample of the equipment usually used to open the grave, sometimes the labor is done by hand as well.

05/27/2026

At Minor Funeral Home, we understand that choosing final arrangements for a loved one is a deeply personal decision. As your trusted funeral service provider in Milton, Vermont, we're committed to offering innovative and environmentally conscious options to honor your loved ones. That's why we're proud to introduce our water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, as a gentle and Sustainable Funeral® alternative to traditional cremation.

Nore info: https://www.minorfh.com/services/water-cremation

05/27/2026

No plan? No problem!

Stop the wheel and see who’ll be speaking at your funeral!

Don’t want to leave it up to chance?
That’s fine too! Stop in today and let us know who you have in mind.

https://www.minorfh.com/

05/25/2026

Today, we remember the ones who never made it home.

The soldiers who gave everything.
The families forever changed.
The empty seats that seem frozen in time.

This Memorial Day, we honor their unimaginable sacrifice, and we remember them with immense gratitude.

05/24/2026

Robert Bernard Phenix

Robert “Bob” Bernard Phenix

Robert “Bob” Bernard Phenix passed away peacefully to go to his Heavenly Father on May 16, 2026, at the McClure Miller Respite Home in Colchester, VT. He was 87 years old.

Bob was born to his parents Olive and Alcidas Phenis on August 9, 1938, in St. Albans, VT.

Bob graduated from Bellow Free Academy in St. Albans, VT in 1956 and then enlisted in the Navy for 4 years as a machinist. Bob was very proud of his military service and spoke fondly of his time, telling many stories of places he served and about the things he learned while enlisted. During his life he worked at IBM in Essex, VT for 28+ years. During his time at IBM, he submitted some of his own designs and received patents for them. He was a member of The Quarter Century Club. He also worked at General Electric in Burlington, VT as well as for Chevalier’s Well Drilling (in the machine shop). In his later years he worked at Minor Funeral Home as a funeral attendant.

Bob was a faithful contributing member of St. Ann’s Parish in Milton, VT.

Bob liked to watch football, basketball and baseball. He was a long-time fan of the Baltimore Orioles. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing and helping neighbors with anything they needed. He was passionate about gardening; he grew vegetables and all types of flowers and enjoyed sharing them with others. Bob had a knack for fixing things and could be found tinkering with many items trying to get just a little bit more out of them.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, his wife Denise “Dee” (Hebert), his brother Maurice Phenix, and his cousin & his wife Richard & Sarah Nichols.

Bob is survived by his daughter Cindy “Cynthia” Phenix and her husband John Brunell (Milton, VT), Cousins Ruth Murray (St. Albans, VT), and Dana Nichols and wife Penny (Fairfax, VT), Niece Kim Flint and her husband Richard (Highgate, VT) along with their three daughters and grandchildren, Nephew Shaun Fiske, and very special nephew Joe Phenix and his wife Karen (St. Albans Bay, VT) along with sons Dakota Phenix (St. Albans Bay, VT) and Oakley Phenix (Franklin, VT).

Visiting hours will be held on Monday June 22, 2026, at the Minor Funeral Home from 4:00PM- 6:00PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ann Church in Milton, VT on Tuesday June 23, 2026, at 11:00AM with a graveside service immediately following in the St. Ann Cemetery in Milton, VT.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, VT or to Age Well VT or Meals on Wheels.

View Robert Bernard Phenix's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.