Moving On Up: Pennsylvania Funeral Home Manager Becomes Owner

Alexander Maher (pictured at top), who managed the K.V. Knopp Funeral Home in Allentown, Pennsylvania for six years is now the owner of the firm.

An announcement on the funeral home’s website states:

It is with great joy and excitement that I publicly announce my recent purchase of the K.V. Knopp Funeral Home. I want to assure you that nothing will change in the day-to-day operations of the funeral home, as I have been managing the funeral home for the last six years under Mr. Knopp’s direction.

Mr. Ken Knopp has been a pillar of support within our community for the last four decades. I pledge to follow in his footsteps. Using my prior experience, I will continue the legacy of the funeral home that he has built. I aim to make this a home where traditions are valued and the memories of our loved are held close.

According to his biography on the funeral home’s website, Maher was born in Schuylkill County and grew up near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. At an early age, he had an interest in pathology studies. Through a required high school graduation project, he was able to work with a county coroner and funeral director. This is when he discovered his passion for funeral service.

After graduating from Bermudian Springs High School in 2007 as valedictorian of his class, he attended Northampton County Community College to pursue a degree in funeral service education. Following graduation, he worked as a funeral intern and subsequently as a funeral director at a large funeral establishment in the Lehigh Valley for eight years. After caring for his mother briefly until her death in 2017, he was hired by Ken Knopp. Over the past six years at the K.V. Knopp Funeral Home, the local community has shown him tremendous care and support. It has been an ambition of his to be an owner for a very long time, and he is thrilled that the time has finally come.

Maher lives in Upper Saucon Township with his spouse and foster son. Aside from his work, he enjoys taking time to exercise. In his spare time, he enjoys baking and traveling with his family. He is a genealogy enthusiast and has taken many trips with his dad in search of his family history. He is also currently president and a board member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association.

Knopp, who owned the business for 42 years, will stay on staff as a funeral director, according to published reports.