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Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I bought an old Victorian five-bedroom home for $305K... but I soon discovered its dark history
A woman who bought an old Victorian five-bedroom home for $305,000 was left shocked after she discovered a dark twist about the abode. Ashley Berken, 39, from Wisconsin, and her wife, Beth, were in the midst of looking for a new house for themselves and their four children last year, when they came across a listing that seemed too good to be true. The stunning, 4,500-square-foot house was the perfect size for the family-of-six and was in their budget. But when Ashley went to go and view the home, she noticed something a little strange about the estate that led to her making a surprising discovery about its past. It turns out, it was a former funeral home, which meant hoards of dead bodies had come through it. 'It actually wasn't on the listing,' Ashley explained to the Daily Mail during a recent chat. 'We grew suspicious during the tour when we saw ramps in the garage that went both upstairs and down to the basement. 'We figured those might have been used to move bodies. Afterwards, I dug around on a local historical Facebook page, found old photos and stories, and that confirmed it for me.' It turns out, it was a former funeral home, which meant hoards of dead bodies had come through it While some might have been put off by the idea of the abode being a former funeral home, it was the opposite for Ashley. In fact, the mother-of-four explained that she's a big fan of the film My Girl, so it drew her to the house even more. My Girl is a 1991 flick that follows a young girl who lives in a funeral home with her single dad. 'Honestly, it made me want it even more - it gave me all the My Girl vibes and really fit my spooky-loving heart,' she confessed. 'It sealed the deal.' They ultimately purchased the home in October 2024 for just over $300,000. While she was 'worried' about telling her kids, aged nine to 13, about the home's former use, she said they 'truly couldn't have cared less.' 'They were just thrilled that we quadrupled our living space,' she explained. And she insisted that knowing that dead bodies were worked on in the home doesn't make her uncomfortable in the slightest. 'What matters more to me is knowing how much love has been shared here over the years, how many bonds were made and lives intertwined. That's the best feeling,' she added. As for whether or not anything 'creepy' has occurred in the house since moving in, she joked, 'Our house is always such a whirlwind of chaos that I probably wouldn't notice. 'Though, now that you ask, we have had a giant wooden mancala board disappear since Christmas, and I'm beginning to think it actually vanished into thin air.' While the property doesn't act as a funeral home anymore, it still has traces of its ominous past. It has a casket showroom and an embalming room, the latter of which still has the original slop sink. 'There's also this stunning 10-foot built-in pier mirror that some people swear is a portal to the spirit world,' Ashley dished. 'I just think it's a one-of-a-kind piece. 'The grand foyer has brass light fixture statues, and there are around half a dozen unique hardwood floor patterns throughout the house, with intricate parquet designs you just don't see anymore. It's like every room has its own story.' She explained that she plans to turn the embalming room into a space for 'potting plants and growing life.' But she added that she 'doesn't want to change too much' because she feels what makes the home truly special is its past. 'I don't want to change too much - more just updates, deep cleans, and giving it some love,' she dished. 'I feel like spending Zen time honoring the space with new life is, quite honestly, the best way to clean up the space.' Ashley has been sharing videos of what it's like to live in a funeral home to TikTok, where they have gone viral. She never expected so many people to be intrigued by the home, but she's honored by all the interest. 'I quickly realized there are so many millennials who also dreamed of living in a funeral home,' she said. 'It's been amazing to celebrate this kind of weird little win with people who never thought it could happen either.'
New York Post
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Mets slug their way past sloppy Yankees to take second straight win in Subway Series
For the first two games of the Queens edition of the Subway Series, the Mets' Stadium Ops crew has acted as if it wants to ensure the invading Yankees fans have a good time (and, of course, return). There have been singalongs to Francisco Lindor's 'My Girl'; entreaties for peace between the fan bases between innings while 'Why Can't We Be Friends' plays; extended, elongated sketches involving the 'Bronx Giraffe,' who is on the lam, or something; a bit involving a 'Yankees fan' deciding the less-traditional environment at Citi Field is more fun than Yankee Stadium and thus trading his allegiances. As Mets marketing executives tried to outdo their counterparts, the on-field product has reflected that the home team is doing just about everything better. Advertisement The Yankees are playing sloppy baseball, and the Mets already have slugged their way to a Subway Series victory before Sunday's finale. The Mets thoroughly outplayed the Yankees again in a 12-6 dusting in front of 41,401 on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in which the sun appropriately shined longer on the Mets' dugout. 6 Pete Alonso (20) blasts a three-run home run during the seventh inning when the New York Mets beat the New York Yankees on Saturday, July 5, 2025 Robert Sabo for NY Post The Mets (52-38) seem to have brushed off their June swoon and have won four straight behind just enough pitching and an offensive awakening. Brandon Nimmo smacked his second grand slam in four days to get the party going, and Pete Alonso added two more homers — up to 246 for his career, six shy of Darryl Strawberry for the franchise record — to gain more than enough separation. Advertisement The Yankees (48-41) have dropped six straight in what sure feels like a rock bottom. This freefall often has seen them hurt themselves, which in one case, involving Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe on Saturday, became literal. An all-around miserable day for the Yankees included: Aaron Boone signaling Clarke Schmidt 'likely' will need Tommy John surgery; Judge getting bloodied while running in from right field between innings, a throw from Volpe catching No. 99 by surprise. He wore a bandage near his eye afterward; Countless misplays and two officially scored errors that made the Mets' path to victory — in a game in which they stitched together nine competent innings from Frankie Montas (four runs in 5 ⅔ innings), Richard Lovelady, Chris Devenski, Ryne Stanek and Edwin Díaz, Carlos Mendoza asking for a third game in four days from the latter two — surprisingly smooth. After shots from Jazz Chisholm Jr., Austin Wells and Anthony Volpe, the Yankees have smacked seven homers in two games and lost both because their pitching and defense have been regrettable. Advertisement 6 Brandon Nimmo crushed a grand slam off Carlos Rodon. Robert Sabo for NY Post The statements from the two clubs — one that kept making mistakes and another that looked to take advantage — arrived immediately. In the bottom of the first, Starling Marte doubled on what should have been a single, Jasson Domínguez taking a poor route at the gapper. After a Francisco Lindor walk, Juan Soto stunningly laid down the third sacrifice bunt of his career, which prompted Carlos Rodón to pitch around Pete Alonso — who took first base on ball four as Wells tried a snap throw to third, a base that Chisholm was not near. With the bases loaded, Rodón, too, made a mistake in hanging a 1-2 slider in the middle of the plate, Nimmo launching a shot to right for his third grand slam of the season. Advertisement 6 New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor had a big Saturday against the Yankees. Robert Sabo for NY Post 6 Jazz Chisholm homered for the Yankees in the loss. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Any drama the rest of the way would be drained by Yankees miscues. In the second, Chisholm airmailed a throw to first base that put Tyrone Taylor on second base before Marte rocketed an RBI single off the left-field wall, another instance in which Domínguez got a poor jump. The Yankees had cut the deficit to 7-5 by the bottom of the seventh, when Ronny Mauricio doubled before Francisco Lindor singled into center. Trent Grisham might have had a play at the plate, but the center fielder booted the ball so Mauricio scored easily and Lindor reached second. With little help behind him, new Yankees pitcher Jayvien Sandridge then could not help himself: After a walk to Soto, Sandridge served up a down-the-middle fastball to Alonso, who demolished it for a three-run shot on an afternoon the first baseman drove in five. 6 Carlos Rodon took the loss on Saturday against the Mets. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post 6 Frankie Montas got the start for the Mets on Saturday. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post The scoring on a perfect and imperfect day for the Mets and Yankees, respectively, ended aptly: With Soto drilling a long, RBI single off the right-field wall in the eighth, one more indignity for his former team.
UPI
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: Dong-wook stars in new K-drama 'The Nice Guy'
July 3 (UPI) -- Disney+ Singapore is teasing The Nice Guy, a new K-drama starring My Girl's Lee Dong-wook. The trailer released Wednesday opens with Dong-wook's voice mentioning author Ernest Hemingway as he gazes at a cloudless sky. "Hemingway once said, 'the sun also rises.' And for me, the sun rose again," he says, referring to his romantic interest Miyoung (Lee Sungkyoung). As the preview continues, it becomes clear that Dong-wook's character hasn't been forthcoming about his past. "A man who gave up on his dreams because of loyalty. Because of life, a woman who folded her dreams. A love story that becomes a dream of each other," an official synopsis reads. The Nice Guy will stream internationally on Disney+ beginning July 18.
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Family bought stunning Victorian house for $305K and were shocked by what they found — because it's a former funeral home
This drop-dead gorgeous Victorian home comes with a macabre pedigree. Ashley Berken and her wife were on the house hunt in October when they discovered a 145-year-old Victorian home within their budget, the 39-year-old told Newsweek. They couldn't believe their luck — the Wisconsin home offered enough space for their four children, two home offices and a whole lot of Old World character — all for $305,000. Advertisement However, the listing failed to mention that the property was formerly a two-time funeral home. 7 A screenshot from a 'POV' tour of the 145-year-old Victorian. Tiktok/thefuneralhomehouse 7 A May TikTok video explored the home's subterranean floors, formerly used for bodies. Tiktok/thefuneralhomehouse Advertisement Funeral operations at the house supposedly ceased in the 1960s, according to Berken. Since purchasing the spooky home, Berken has since taken to TikTok to share life inside the captivating property, from slideshows of the home's various vintage doorknobs to debating renovations in the embalming room. Clearly, many are intrigued by this unusual home considering her TikTok account, @thefuneralhomehouse, has close to 28,000 followers and more than 200,000 likes. 'I feel like breathing new life into this space is the perfect intended use for it,' she said in the video. One of her plans is to install a small gardening area next to a nearby window. Advertisement The ornamented property boasts enchanting and surprising details throughout its upper floors, including a tin ceiling in the kitchen, intricate inlaid wood floors, a 10-foot mirror, stained glass windows, a grand staircase and sculptural light fixtures. It also has stunning millwork and original details throughout, but the real story of the home lies in the basement. The expansive subterranean floor — Berken would eventually learn — held the embalming room and casket showroom. The latter of which she's considering turning into a hangout space for her children. Advertisement 7 The 'slop sink' is a remnant of the embalming room. Tiktok/thefuneralhomehouse 7 The striking foyer boasts inlaid wood floors in a star pattern. Tiktok/thefuneralhomehouse 7 The living room includes a 10-foot built-in mirror. Tiktok/thefuneralhomehouse Berken told Newsweek that she wasn't aware of the home's deathly history until she noticed ramps in the garage designed for transporting bodies. A quick search of local records proved her suspicions. Still, Berken called the home 'my absolute dream come true.' The 39-year-old recalled her enduring love of the 1991 classic 'My Girl,' a film in which one of the young protagonists lives with her family in their funeral home. Berken could not be reached for comment before press time. 7 A tin ceiling tops the kitchen. Tiktok/thefuneralhomehouse Advertisement 7 The sculptural light fixtures are original to the home. Tiktok/thefuneralhomehouse
Newsweek
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Mom Finds 'Dream' 5-Bedroom House for Sale, but There's Just One Catch
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A family has found their forever home in the form of a former funeral home, with its embalming room and casket showroom still intact. Ashley Berken, 39, lives in Wisconsin with her wife, Beth, and their four children, and were on the hunt for a house big enough for their family as well as two home offices. Berken, an executive director, says they toured several houses and didn't find the perfect fit—until they came across a "beautiful 4,500-square-foot Victorian," which was right at the top of their budget for $300,000. "There are five bedrooms, but the master suite is kind of like two rooms. I call it my mom sanctuary," Berken told Newsweek. Ashley Berken shows off the former embalming room of her new home. Ashley Berken shows off the former embalming room of her new home. TikTok @thefuneralhomehouse There was a twist, however—this home had previously been used as a funeral home, which they didn't realize until they "noticed the ramps in the garage for body transport." "That night, I searched through local historical pages and confirmed that it was indeed a former funeral home," Berken told Newsweek—and described it as "my absolute dream come true!" As a young girl, Berken had loved the classic coming-of-age movie My Girl, which revolved around a girl whose home doubles as a funeral home as her father works as a funeral director. As she put it: "There's something deeply special to me about a place that holds so much history and love, where for decades, people gathered to share memories of loved ones. It feels like this house has a heart and a story of its own." Read more Mom lived in house "for years'—Discovers what was in kitchen the whole time Mom lived in house "for years'—Discovers what was in kitchen the whole time Having previously lived in a "small, 1,000-square-foot home," Berken admits she doesn't believe they could have afforded this house on this street if it hadn't previously been a funeral home, "as some people are a bit wary of the idea." "But for us, it's been a dream—our kids, pets—two wiener dogs and three cats— and plants are thriving in this home." Funeral homes provide facilities for the funeral or memorial service, as well as organizing cremation and burial arrangements and embalming, dressing and casketing the deceased, according to Earth Funeral. And while living in a former funeral home might not be everyone's cup of tea, Berken has gained a large online following as she shows off the new property and the work they're doing to it, from roof repairs to plumbing. In one video to her TikTok account, @thefuneralhomehouse, on May 16, Berken showed off the embalming room and casket showroom with a ramp leading to their kitchen. "This is where the bodies were wheeled from the garage," she explained, before heading into the former embalming room, which still contains the original sink which would have been used to drain body fluids into the plumbing system. While she's not entirely sure what she will do with the sink, or the room itself, she pointed out the "great light" the room gets, and suggested it would be great to grow and repot plants in the winter. The next room she showed was the former casket showroom, which she plans to turn into a "hangout space" for the kids, particularly as they get older. Berken's video was viewed more than 640,000 times, with people from all walks of life commenting on the clip to give their two cents. The embalming room, which Berken may use for her plants, and the former casket showroom. The embalming room, which Berken may use for her plants, and the former casket showroom. TikTok @thefuneralhomehouse One, who identified themselves as a funeral director, said: "Most old prep rooms give me the creeps but this one seems like such a safe space. I cannot wait to see the future decor! You're bringing life back into the home." "Embalmer here and I think the greenhouse idea is awesome! Definitely keep the sink," another said, while one wrote: "I'm a paranormal lead investigator and would recommend a proper spiritual cleansing with white sage and prayer to move on possible spirits that have not crossed over before attempting refurbishing." Others weren't as enthusiastic, one writing: "Respectfully... immediately no," and another declaring: "This feels like the beginning of a good horror movie." And as one put it: "Does this come with free invisible friends who only appear at night?" But Berken told Newsweek: "While I don't associate spirits with hauntings or jump scares, if there is any presence here, it's all positive energy and love. "Though, I will admit, we've had a few large items mysteriously disappear!" Her quickly-growing audience has helped her learn some of the history of the house, with Berken revealing she had connected with a woman who had grown up in the house when her father ran the funeral home. "She shared childhood stories of playing in the casket showroom and her memories of the house, which has made me love it even more." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures you want to share? Send them to life@ with some extra details, and they could appear on our website.
