Family Owned – Memora is 100% owned by the founding family, not by large corporations or private equity companies.
Hospitality-Driven – Our roots trace back 40 years to the restaurant and hotel industry – exceptional service is in our DNA.
Families Come First Mindset – We prioritize our families’ needs, not profit margins. Preserving reputations is our central focus.
Committed to Excellence – We are committed to honoring legacies with dignity, care, and hospitality-driven service
Compassionate Care – Every interaction leads with empathy, ensuring families feel supported at every step in their most difficult moments
Community Leadership – We are engaged leaders in our communities, ensuring our brand, reputation and presence are felt in our markets with high regard
Operational Excellence – We run businesses that have endured the test of time and have succeeded through recessions, natural disasters, and competition.
Modernized Services – We provide modern, high-touch services through the use of technology and the talents of our team members to meet each family’s needs.
Respect for Your Vision – We don’t erase your identity; we strengthen it for future generations without sacrificing its local touch
Trusted Stewards – We aren’t here for a transaction – we are here to build upon your life’s work with integrity
Seamless Transition – We work with you on a transition plan that aligns with your goals over the long term
Collaborate with you to understand your processes, including “why” and “how”
Respect your legacy and maintain your brand name
Support your team and prioritize their training, retention, and development
Honor pre-existing commitments and upholding prearranged services
Offer flexible transition options to find a path that meets your needs
Abraham Merchant has spent over 40 years building restaurants and hotels across the country. Known for his hands-on approach and community focus, he’s passionate about creating spaces where people feel welcome. He’s also been a guest speaker at Fordham University and serves on hospitality boards that support local businesses. Abraham lives with his wife, son, and their dog. When he’s not working, he’s probably skiing, playing tennis, or enjoying time with family.
Richard Cohn brings decades of experience in hospitality and real estate, but he’s always focused on the people behind the business. He helped lead efforts to revive the community and support victims following the events of September 11th, and he has long supported small business growth across his local neighborhoods. Outside of work, Richard is a dedicated Special Olympics ski coach. He lives with his wife and sons, enjoys cycling and skiing, and still competes in triathlons each year.
Gavin Miles Cohn grew up working in his family’s restaurant and hospitality business, gaining experience in everything from operations to event management. Committed to community service, he founded a nonprofit and is a strong supporter of the Special Olympics and inclusive programs for individuals with special needs. A passionate athlete, Gavin plays flag football and brings the same energy and teamwork to the field as he does to the family business. He lives with his family and enjoys quality time together, especially playing board and card games.
John McQueen began his funeral service career at 15 in his family’s business, Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes, in St. Petersburg, Florida. After taking over at 22, he grew it into one of Florida’s largest family-owned funeral operations. An industry innovator,
he introduced services like pet death care and eco-friendly bio-cremation. John co-authored Lessons from the Dead: Breathing Life into Customer Service with his wife, Nikki, and now consults on improving customer experiences across industries. In his free time, he enjoys cruising and draws inspiration from other service industries to continually elevate the standard of care.
