William Villanova: ‘There’s A Lot Of Planning That Goes Into Life’ — And Death

Last August, Frank E. Campbell The Funeral Chapel hosted a comedy show, an unusual pairing of venue and entertainment. But the Upper East Side chapel, famed for organizing funeral services for leaders and legends ranging from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to The Notorious B.I.G., is far from ordinary. In its well over 100-year history, it’s become a local haven for the arts.

“What funeral homes do in their community, when they’re not providing funeral service, shows value,” said William Villanova, who’s served as the president of the Frank E. Campbell funeral chapel since 2018. “If we didn’t have a proven support, or overwhelming response, from the community to come to events at Frank E. Campbell, you may be skeptical and say, ‘Wow, does that really work?’”

Frank E. Campbell is known for its personalized funeral services for a long list of singers, actors, entrepreneurs and politicians. Paparazzi, Villanova said, do sometimes swarm. But even on calmer days, he and his team pull out all the stops, hosting artists and musicians for events like the chapel’s winter concert, during which snow fluttered down from the ceiling as a rendition of “Winter Wonderland” concluded the show. It’s not such a strange mix, after all, thanks to Villanova’s outlook on facing both life and death head-on.

Planning for — and even merely talking about — death typically comes with a certain kind of trepidation. “It’s still a little taboo,” Villanova admitted. And yet having those hard conversations with loved ones can be highly beneficial, offering families a sense of peace and confidence. “Many people ... plan for what college they’re going to go to, who they’re going to marry, the wedding, vacations, buying a home, buying a car — there’s a lot of planning that goes into life,” Villanova said. “Wouldn’t a prudent person want to make that same decision for their funeral?”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, those conversations bubbled to the surface for many, though under harrowing circumstances. Frank E. Campbell never closed its doors over the past two years, instead taking on more responsibility than before. “We already work, as a profession, 24 hours a day, but we were literally working around the clock, seven days a week,” Villanova said. “We knew that when the phone was ringing, people were in trouble.”

The near-ubiquitous shift to Zoom and other virtual platforms, embraced (or at least tolerated) in all kinds of settings and scenarios, took a uniquely devastating toll on families that couldn’t attend funeral services for loved ones in person. “We did a great job of coming together and using that technology,” Villanova said. “But even with that, you still need to have people to hold your hand, to give you a hug, to be there — and that was rough.”

It’s been a “trying” time for funeral directors, too, Villanova said. He and his team had no choice but to keep showing up for those they served, since their work was deemed essential — without much of the fanfare received, most prominently, by health care workers.

“A lot of the pictures or reports were sensationalized, looking at these hospitals with these large refrigerated trailers,” Villanova said. “But I think they fell short a little bit ... showcasing the funeral directors that were providing services during a community’s — a nation’s — greatest time of need, and still making sure that each person was handled with love.”

Villanova believes that the funeral chapel has emerged stronger than before. In May, it will host its fourth annual “Spring Evening of Music,” this time featuring a classical ensemble that will perform contemporary music à la popular Netflix show Bridgerton. Frank E. Campbell is also currently undergoing renovations, which will include a rooftop terrace to be used for future events.

It’s not a job for the faint of heart. But it’s not just a job, either. “It’s also a calling,” Villanova said. “You have to have the right fortitude.”