Schroeder Funeral Home
715 Cooper Street — proof of an advertisement for the Schroeder Funeral Home. The bow window and sun room visible here were later replaced with an addition used for services.
Bernhard F. Schroeder came to Camden in 1882. He soon set up an undertaking business at 19 South 4th Street. He was at 15 South 4th Street by 1906. Joined in business by his sons Robert Schroeder and Bernard C. Schroeder, he also was engaged in a freight business, the Potter Express Company, with local businessman H.B. Hanford. By 1914, besides the funeral business which had moved to 338 Arch Street (southwest corner of North 4th and Arch Streets), the Schroeders also had stables in the rear of 408–410 Mickle Street, a warehouse at 326–328 Taylor Avenue, and a hall known appropriately enough as Schroeder’s Hall, at 336 Arch Street.
Oldest son Robert Schroeder took the lead in running the business in the 1920s. He also was politically active, serving as Camden County’s coroner in 1914 and in 1924. Sadly, Robert Schroeder suffered a fatal heart attack in 1925, not having reached his 36th birthday. Bernard C. Schroeder stepped forward, and in 1926 moved the business to the labor temple building at 538 Broadway. Bernhard F. Schroeder died the following year.
In 1936 Bernard C. Schroeder moved the business once again, to an elegant building at 715 Cooper Street that had been built in 1876 by banker John Cooper and occupied into the 1920s by his son, William J. Cooper. Bernard C. Schroeder added on to the house to make more room for funerals. The business carried on beyond his death in 1965 as his sons, Bernard K. and Kenneth Schroeder had followed him into the business. The Schroeder Funeral Home remained in Camden through the fall of 1969. The property was taken by the government to make way for a ramp onto I-676 from the Ben Franklin Bridge.
The original house at 715 Cooper Street was called “The Chimneys.” If I remember correctly there were more than six chimneys. The Schroeder family added to the house to make more room for funerals. When the Schroeder’s funeral home property was taken by the state for the new entrance ramp, my father, Bernard K Schroeder donated some of the old fireplaces to the Camden County Historical Society. I’ve found the receipt from the Camden County Historical Society for the four fire places (fronts, mantels and hearths) and where they were taken from.
The inside of 715 Cooper Street always blew me away as a kid. 10 to 12 foot high ceilings, the carved plaster ceilings and the 12 foot wide hallways. I think that one of the fireplaces they took was the one in the front second floor room on the west side, which was all marble.
— Bernard F. Schroeder, great-grandson of founder Bernhard F. Schroeder, December 2008
B. F. Schroeder & Sons
Camden Courier —
B. F. Schroeder & Sons — Undertakers
S. W. Cor. Fourth and Arch Streets, Camden, N. J. — Established 1884
There is no resident of this city who takes a deeper interest in its development than Mr. B. F. Schroeder, who, since his location here in 1882, has watched the industrial and commercial progress made, and viewed with satisfaction the increase in population from 46,000 to the hundred thousand mark. Mr. Schroeder was born in Germany, in 1849, and came to this country in 1873. A cabinet maker by trade, he, in 1875, entered the employment of a well-known Philadelphia undertaker, and in a few years mastered every detail of the business.
Mr. Schroeder, although a complete stranger in Camden, soon built up a paying business and has been very successful.
The Home of Schroeder Service
Camden Courier-Post —
A Greater Camden Institution
The new home or Funeral Chapel, that is a part of SCHROEDER SERVICE, was designed and equipped — NOT out of profits nor to get higher prices — but to render a finer service, in keeping with the growth of our city and its suburbs. It is a memorial to that Greater Camden of tomorrow.
As a matter of fact, our new Chapel and all other modern details of equipment actually counts for making possible the BEST at lower costs. The exceptional facilities this building and our entire equipment affords are offered the people at no additional increase in price. They make possible maximum quality, at minimum cost.
Our Funeral Chapel is very home-like. It has three private rooms for the funeral services, all convertible into one if necessary. And the grand organ is available for the music of the services.
Schroeder Service is exclusive but NOT expensive. — Established over 45 years — B.F. Schroeder — B.C. Schroeder — City and Suburban Service — Bell 400
715 Cooper Street — 1936–1969
The Schroeder Funeral Home Now at 715 Cooper Street
We show you a view of the Funeral HOME as it is today so that you can the better appreciate the Funeral SERVICE for which we are so splendidly equipped today.
While SCHROEDER FUNERAL SERVICE, as in the past, includes our assuming full charge and responsibility of the funeral conducted from the individual HOME, our own modernly-appointed Funeral Home is available to any family who may find it more to their convenience, without, of course, any additional cost.
THE SCHROEDER FUNERAL HOME is spacious in size, is equipped with every convenience, is as home-like as any private home could possibly be, with ample privacy such as anyone could desire. In our new location it is most conveniently located to all bus lines and other transportation facilities.
SCHROEDER SERVICE is available on short notice to the entire greater-Camden area at any hour of the day or night — all its SERVICE backed by a most unusual experience that counts more than half a century of continuous operation in Camden.
And yet — SCHROEDER SERVICE is within the reach of all — with a complete funeral as low as One Hundred and Fifty Dollars.
The Funeral Home Is Always Open For Public Inspection. — Schroeder Funeral Service — Bernard C. Schroeder