Our Story Begins with Family
For more than a century, the Smolenski family has been helping families navigate loss with compassion, integrity, and personal care. Renaissance Funeral Home is the continuation of that legacy.
We invite you to discover who has made Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory the ultimate provider of creating healing experiences in the community.
This section contains the heritage, vision, and the people behind Renaissance Funeral Home’s reputation of quality, sincerity, and trust.
With four generations of experience, the Smolenski family has been helping other families provide dignity in death to their loved ones. It all started in 1920 with the Polish American legislator, John Smolenski, of New York.
Our Story
More Than a Century of Compassion
A Legacy that continues
A Family Legacy Begins
1917
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
John Smolenski opened the Smolenski Funeral Home in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, serving the area's growing Polish community with compassion, dignity, and care. His commitment to families established the values that would guide generations of the Smolenski family.
Growing Family Traditions
1932-1956
Long Island, New York
As the family's reputation grew, John's brother, Joseph Anthony Smolenski, established the Hempstead Funeral Home on Long Island. In 1956, Joseph Richard Smolenski opened the New Hyde Park Funeral Home, where the family continued serving and built one of Long Island's most respected funeral homes.
Generations of Service
1956
New Hyde Park, Long Island
Joseph Richard Smolenski, Jr. continued his family's tradition in New York, gaining decades of experience while preparing to bring that legacy to a new community.
Conintuing the Care
2003
Raleigh, North Carolina
Joseph Richard Smolenski, Jr. founded Renaissance Funeral Home in Raleigh, bringing his family's four generations of funeral service experience to North Carolina. Today, Joe Smolenski III proudly carries forward his father's vision, continuing the family's tradition of compassionate, personalized care.
In Memoriam
Joseph Richard Smolenski, Jr.
Founder of Renaissance Funeral Home
1950 to 2026
Renaissance Funeral Home was founded in 2003 by Joe Smolenski with a simple but lasting vision: to create a funeral home where every family would be treated with kindness, respect, and genuine compassion.
After becoming a licensed funeral director in 1993, Joe combined generations of family experience with an entrepreneurial spirit to build something different for the Triangle. He believed families deserved meaningful choices, personal guidance, and the confidence of knowing the people caring for them truly cared.
Under his leadership, Renaissance grew from a vision into one of the Triangle's most respected funeral homes, including the addition of our on site crematory and Tribute Center in 2019. Every decision was guided by one question: "What would best serve the family?"
Joe passed away in January 2026, but his values remain at the heart of everything we do. His commitment to integrity, innovation, and compassionate care continues through his family and the dedicated team he inspired.
We are honored to carry his legacy forward, serving every family with the same care that built Renaissance Funeral Home.
Joseph R. Smolenski III
Owner and Funeral Director
Amie Sexton
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Keri Richardson
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Heather Hill
Funeral Director/Pre-Need Counselor
Collette Meador
Office Administrator
Jenna Meador
Funeral Assistant
Dee Carmona
Funeral/Office Assistant
Victor Wright
Courier
Dara Ferguson
Funeral Assistant
Lee White
Funeral Assistant
Cynthia Wooten
Funeral Assistant
Mark Poole
Funeral Assistant
Meep joined us in March of 2020. He was found outdoors on a very windy 38 degree day in February at the coast. Thin, hungry, and in rough shape, Joe Smolenski took him back home. After a few vet visits, lots of sleep and love, he recovered in a few months’ time. He enjoys people more than most cats and happens to fit right in with the social atmosphere at the funeral home. A well behaved and kind-hearted little gentleman he has become. Today he spends most of his time at home with his two feline friends, but you’ll still find him at the funeral home at request or during one of his random monthly visits.
We're Here When You're Ready
Whether you need guidance now or are planning ahead, we're here to listen and help you take the next step.