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About

One of the older continuously operating funeral homes in the country, Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home has helped generations of New Orleans families with all of their funeral needs. Our service in the New Orleans community began in 1854, and today our professional and compassionate team works with people of all backgrounds during one of the more difficult times of life: losing a loved one.

The funeral home is located in Metairie on Veterans Boulevard, between Transcontinental Drive and Clearview Parkway. Right outside of New Orleans, the funeral home can be accessed via I-10. Whether you need immediate assistance with funeral arrangements or you are planning ahead, we are here for you.

An inclusive New Orleans funeral home

Because the New Orleans area is a wonderfully diverse place, Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home serves families of all faiths and cultures. We work with you to incorporate your preferred religious or cultural traditions into the memorial service. Leitz-Eagan was among the first funeral homes in the New Orleans area to offer a full Catholic Mass in its chapel.

Chapels for every need

Sitting area at Leitz-Eagan Funeral HomeLeitz-Eagan Funeral Home’s plant-filled atrium with a fountain makes a beautiful first impression on all of our visitors, whether they come here to make funeral arrangements or attend a memorial service. Every room in the funeral home, from the chapel and parlors to arrangement rooms and reception area, is designed to make guests feel comfortable and welcome.

Our large and spacious chapel holds approximately 200 attendees seated in pews. Traditional in design, the chapel has stained-glass windows, a pulpit and an organ. If you would like organ music during a service, we can help you select an organist.

The chapel is simply and tastefully decorated. That is purposeful, as we encourage families to personalize the space with photos and mementos. Every memorial service should be as unique as the person it honors, so we work with families to design a space that best reflects the life being celebrated.

In addition to the chapel, Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home has four parlors with sofas and chairs for a reception-type setting. Each parlor can accommodate around 100 people, but two rooms can be combined for larger visitations. During an extremely large funeral or visitation, speakers throughout the building ensure overflow guests hear every word.

Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home also offers on-site catering and a large reception area for gatherings before or after services. In the case of inclement weather, the funeral home has a porte-cochere.

We celebrate life

Reception room at Leitz-Eagan Funeral HomeEvery person has a life story. How will yours be remembered? At Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, we are skilled storytellers. When you meet with us, we’ll listen carefully to learn everything we can about your loved one and then take all of the things that make him or her unique and create a one-of-a-kind memorial.

If she was a Mardi Gras queen in her youth, we can transform our chapel into a festive parade with beads, feathered masks and confetti. Maybe Cajun cooking was his specialty. We can serve gumbo or jambalaya or even have a crawfish boil. Of course, if you prefer a more traditional funeral service or qualify for a funeral with military honors, we are happy to do that too.

There are thousands of ways to celebrate life. All it takes is a little imagination.

History

In 1854, German immigrant Ambrose Leitz opened a cabinet shop two blocks from the Mississippi River in New Orleans. In search of a better life and economic opportunity, he found hardship in the city's humid climate, which brought mosquitoes and yellow fever.

At that time, people turned to cabinet makers when they needed coffins. With those requests, Ambrose began the businesses that have become the oldest and largest family-managed funeral home and life insurance companies in New Orleans.

For six generations, the Leitz family—and, later, the Eagan family—taught their sons and daughters the traditions of caring for and meeting the needs of people in times of grief.

A family tradition takes hold

Chapel at Leitz-Eagan Funeral HomeAfter Ambrose’s death in 1879, his widow, Louise, built the family business over the next 30 years. “Widow Leitz,” as she was called, had the finest funeral carriages and livery stables in New Orleans. When she died in April 1911, The Daily Picayune reported that she was “one of the best known and most picturesque figures … a woman whose mission in life was to alleviate distress as far as her power lay.”

Fred Leitz, Ambrose and Louise’s son, added embalming and parlor room services to the funeral home. He also moved the funeral home to larger facilities in the area of the city known as the Irish Channel.

When Fred died, his daughter, Agatha, took over with her husband, Charles J. Eagan Sr., and their business became the Leitz-Eagan Companies.

The next generation grows the business

Agatha and Charles were active in charitable and civic affairs. All five of their sons served in the U.S. military and later joined their father to build the business into three funeral homes and three insurance companies. They also continued their parents’ civic involvement and service.

Upholding a legacy

Exterior at Leitz-Eagan Funeral HomeSince the deaths of the fourth-generation brothers, the fifth and sixth generations of the family have been active in the management and operation of the funeral homes. The flagship funeral home, located at Magazine and Phillip, closed in 1992, but Leitz-Eagan’s service continues.

Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home in Metairie has cared for families in the East Jefferson and New Orleans areas since 1968, maintaining an unrivaled reputation for excellence. In 2001, Leitz-Eagan expanded its Westbank presence by merging with the former Westside Funeral Home in Marrero. In 2014, Leitz-Eagan celebrated its 160th year, making it one of the older continuously operating funeral homes in the country.

We care about the New Orleans community

New Orleans is a big city, but we don’t let that stop us from getting to know our neighbors. Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home is a member of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and works with several area churches on events, including several Catholic parish fairs. In addition, we hold community memorial services in the spring and winter and invite anyone who wishes to honor lives lost to attend.

Contact us

We know that losing a loved one is difficult. We're here for you when you need us. Call us anytime day or night.

Amenities

Location

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Every Detail Remembered

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An experience like no other, carefully crafted by our caring planning team.

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Our Venues

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Cemetery & Cremation Property

A final resting place that reflects a unique life and legacy for generations to come.

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Personalized Catered Receptions

From desserts and appetizers to a sit-down meal, we can arrange it all.

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Our Collections

A lasting remembrance as unique and special as the individual it represents.

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Ratings & Reviews

Verified Customer Reviews

Since 2005, many of our customers have taken the time to tell us how we did each year via our Voice of the Customer program. Our star ratings and comments from families come directly from these surveys.

"Very compassionate and professional group with personalized touch."

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May 2022

"The food, the priest, the service, the attention, everything was more than expected. Thank you"

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April 2022

"Brian Jennings and Maria Gregorio were very attentive and professional throughout the funeral service. Brian was also extremely patient and helpful while planning the funeral. I would highly recommend Leitz-Eagan if you are making funeral arrangements."

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March 2022

"I suggest contacting the funeral home before the actual death of their loved one to get a headstart because last-minute arrangements can be troublesome. When calling for a consult ask for Brian Jennings, he is amazing!"

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March 2022

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