David C. Gross Funeral Homes — St. Petersburg, FL
David C. Gross Funeral Homes is a corporate-owned, full-service funeral home and cremation center operating in St. Petersburg, FL, notable for its long local history and demonstrated experience serving Jewish families. The home holds a 4.3/5 rating on Google across 34 reviews, with staff members consistently praised by name. Third-party benchmark data suggests a direct cremation cost of approximately $3,190, with fuller service packages ranging considerably higher.
Locations
Primary Location 3622 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33711 Phone: (727) 408-6651 Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Per the provider's own history page, the business previously operated additional locations — including a second St. Petersburg location acquired in 1982 and the Robert D. Easter Funeral Home in Gulfport acquired in 1991 — but operations have since been consolidated to the Central Avenue address. No specific facility features (e.g., on-site crematory, chapel capacity) are detailed in available data.
Services
According to the provider's website and cemetery.com listing, David C. Gross offers:
- Cremation services, including direct cremation
- Burial and funeral services
- Memorial services
- Pre-planning arrangements
- Jewish funeral services — multiple reviewers confirm staff familiarity with Jewish burial rituals and religious practices
- Transportation coordination, including out-of-state and flight arrangements (noted in reviewer accounts involving transport to New Hampshire and Connecticut)
The business markets itself as a "funeral home and cremation center," though no specific mention of an on-site crematory or owned cemetery appears in available data.
Pricing
No General Price List (GPL) was available in the provided data. Third-party benchmark estimates from Funeralocity are as follows:
| Service Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Direct Cremation | $3,190 |
| Benchmark Cremation Cost | $8,225 |
| Benchmark Funeral Cost | $10,220 |
These figures are third-party estimates and may not reflect current pricing. Families are encouraged to request the funeral home's General Price List directly, which funeral homes are legally required to provide upon request under the FTC Funeral Rule.
Reviews
David C. Gross Funeral Homes holds a 4.3/5 rating on Google based on 34 reviews. The Funeralocity profile and BestProsInTown listing reflect similar overall sentiment.
Dominant Positive Themes
- Named staff praised for compassion and calm professionalism. Reviewers specifically call out Rebekah Foley ("so sweet," "took very good care"), Aubrie King ("very calm and professional voice, patient with any questions"), and Nicole ("awesome to work with, accommodates all your needs").
- Responsiveness to religious and cultural practices. Multiple reviewers note that staff honored specific religious requirements — particularly Jewish burial rituals — carefully and without prompting.
- Logistics handled smoothly, including complex out-of-state transport. Reviewers whose loved ones were transported to Connecticut and New Hampshire report that the home managed flights and coordination effectively, reducing family burden during a difficult time.
One reviewer, Joe Gaeta, summarizes a common sentiment: "Whatever our request, they found a way to accommodate us and keep us at ease."
Notable Negative Review
One 1-star review from Maria Khap raises a specific concern: a staff member returned her initial call while simultaneously caring for a grandchild, which she found unprofessional and distressing given the sensitive nature of the conversation. She noted she was calling because the home was the only local Jewish funeral home she could identify, suggesting her concern was heightened by the limited alternatives available to her. No other complaint patterns are visible in the available review data, though the total review count of 34 limits the breadth of this sample.
Ownership
David C. Gross Funeral Homes is owned by Foundation Partners Group, a privately held consolidator of funeral homes and cemeteries. Foundation Partners is backed by private equity and operates locations across multiple states, though it is not publicly traded.
The business has a well-documented independent history prior to acquisition. Per a Foundation Partners press release, David Gross purchased his first funeral home in St. Petersburg in 1979, directly upon graduating from mortuary school — making him, at the time, the youngest licensed funeral home owner in Florida. He subsequently acquired a second St. Petersburg location in 1982 and the Robert D. Easter Funeral Home in Gulfport in 1991. Foundation Partners later acquired the business; the exact acquisition date is not confirmed in the available data. The home continues to operate under the David C. Gross name.
Families who prefer independently owned funeral homes should be aware of the corporate ownership, as decision-making, pricing structures, and local staffing priorities can differ under consolidated ownership models.
Accreditations
Per the BBB profile, David C. Gross Funeral Homes & Cremation Center is not BBB accredited. No BBB rating, complaints on file, or other formal accreditation data (professional memberships, state licensing details, or awards) are available in the provided data.
Conclusion
David C. Gross Funeral Homes occupies a mid-range position in the St. Petersburg market, with third-party pricing benchmarks suggesting costs in line with or modestly above area averages for full-service arrangements, and a direct cremation estimate of $3,190. Its strongest documented asset is a compassionate, responsive staff — with several individual team members earning consistent praise by name — and a demonstrated ability to serve families with Jewish religious requirements and complex out-of-state logistics. Families should note the home's corporate ownership under Foundation Partners Group, request a current General Price List before committing to any arrangements, and be aware that the home lacks BBB accreditation, though no formal complaint patterns are visible in available sources.
This report was generated using publicly available information including licensing records, pricing data, and consumer reviews. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation.
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