When you’re driving down 18th Street in Two Rivers, it’s easy to miss the brick building that houses Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels. It’s just... there. A quiet fixture of the Lakeshore since the 1950s. Honestly, most of us don't think about funeral homes until we absolutely have to, and by then, our brains are usually too fried from grief to actually look at what we’re signing.
Two Rivers is a small town. People talk. You’ve probably heard stories about the "East Sider" pride or how certain families have used the same chapel for three generations. But there’s a lot of noise out there about what happens behind those doors. Dealing with the end of a life is a massive logistical headache, and Deja & Martin is right in the thick of it.
The Kinnard Connection and the "New" Deja & Martin
Let’s clear something up right away: the names on the sign aren't the only ones running the show anymore. While the "Deja" and "Martin" legacies are baked into the foundation of the place—like the late Carol Martin who worked those books for decades—the actual management is now heavily tied to the Kinnard family.
Tim Kinnard and Travis Kinnard are the current faces you'll likely see. Tim is a fourth-generation funeral director. Think about that. His family has been doing this since 1904, mostly over in Kewaunee County. Now, they’ve brought that perspective to Two Rivers.
It’s a weird mix of old-school Lakeshore tradition and modern business. Travis, who’s part of the fifth generation, just finished his funeral science degree a few years back. You get this interesting dynamic where the older staff has that "seen it all" calmness, while the younger directors are pushing for things like live-streaming services and digital tribute videos.
✨ Don't miss: The Big Buydown Bet: Why Homebuyers Are Gambling on Temporary Rates
What it Actually Costs (No Fluff)
Nobody wants to talk about money when they're crying. It feels gross. But let's be real—funerals are expensive. Basically, you're paying for a combination of professional time, high-end facilities, and specialized equipment.
At Deja & Martin, a traditional full-service burial usually sits around $8,350.
Is that a lot? Yeah. But if you compare it to national averages, it’s pretty much in line with the industry. If you want to scale back, they have "affordable burial" options that drop the price closer to $5,135.
Breaking Down the Cremation Route
Cremation is becoming the "norm" in Wisconsin, and Two Rivers is no different. You’ve basically got two paths here:
🔗 Read more: Business Model Canvas Explained: Why Your Strategic Plan is Probably Too Long
- Full Service Cremation: This is for people who still want the visitation and the ceremony with the body present, followed by cremation. You’re looking at about $6,160.
- Direct Cremation: This is the "no frills" version. No service, no public viewing. It’s roughly $2,995.
The price jump between the two is almost entirely the "facility use" and "staff attendance" fees. If you just want the logistics handled, direct is the way to go. If you need the ritual to feel like you've actually said goodbye, you're going to pay for the chapel time.
Why People Get Frustrated
If you look at online reviews for any funeral home, you’ll see a mix of "they were angels" and "they ruined everything." It’s an emotional business.
One thing people often get wrong is the paperwork. Funeral directors at Deja & Martin spend a huge amount of time acting as quasi-lawyers—filing death certificates, social security notifications, and veterans' benefits forms. If a name is misspelled on a certificate or an obituary is posted with a typo, it feels like a personal attack to the family.
I’ve seen complaints about "callous" attitudes in the industry. Honestly, it’s a burnout-heavy job. Directors are on call 24/7. When a death happens at 3:00 AM on a Tuesday, Tim or Travis is the one getting the call. Sometimes that professional distance can come off as cold, even when they’re just trying to keep the trains running on time.
💡 You might also like: Why Toys R Us is Actually Making a Massive Comeback Right Now
The "East Side" Tradition
If you aren't from Two Rivers, you might not get the "East Side" thing. For people like the late Jerry LaFond, living and dying on the East Side was a badge of pride.
Deja & Martin taps into that hyper-local vibe. They aren't a corporate conglomerate like Dignity Memorial (though people often confuse local branches). They are independent. That matters because they can be a bit more flexible with weird requests.
- Veterans Services: They do a lot of work with the local VFW and American Legion.
- Celebrants: If you aren't religious—and let's face it, fewer people are these days—they have "life celebrants" who can lead a service without the "fire and brimstone" or even the traditional prayers.
Actionable Steps for Dealing with Loss in Two Rivers
If you find yourself needing to call Deja & Martin (or any home in Manitowoc County), do these three things first to keep your sanity:
- Find the DD-214: If your loved one was a veteran, you need those discharge papers. Without them, you can’t get the military honors or the burial benefits, and the funeral home can't magically make the government move faster.
- Request a General Price List (GPL): By law, they have to give this to you. Look at the "Basic Services of Funeral Director and Staff" fee. It’s non-declinable. Use that as your baseline.
- Check the "Advance Directives": Before you buy a $5,000 casket, check if there’s a will or a pre-plan. Many people in Two Rivers have "pre-need" insurance policies through the Kinnards that already cover these costs.
Don't let the stress of the moment force you into a "package" you don't need. Whether you're at the 1506 18th Street location for a viewing or just trying to navigate an obituary on their site, remember that you’re the customer. You have the right to ask why a certain fee is there and to say "no" to the extras that don't fit the person you're honoring.