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Dave Clasen started a couple years ago with a drawing on a piece of paper and a general idea for an addition of Clasen-Jordan Mortuary. He finished earlier this year with a 4,500-square-foot expansion and 5,000-square-foot remodel, and the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce Project of the Year award.

Clasen broke ground in May 2011, re-opened in December 2011 after construction closed the funeral home for a couple months, and is putting the finishing touches on the project.

“It’s pretty neat to watch the transition from what it was to what it is now,” he said. “It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for years.”

The addition has given Clasen much needed extra space, and includes a new lobby, a new chapel that will seat 175, offices, new bathrooms, an arrangement room and a children’s room.

Changes to the existing structure include converting the chapel into a community room with seating for more than 100, a kitchenette for catering, and a major overhaul of the audio and visual systems. Everything will be handicapped accessible.

“A lot of those additions help us accommodate families much better,” Clasen said.

Clasen chose a “design build,” meaning he was allowed to make design changes along the way. While he said it was an interesting way to build and it was nice to be able to correct mistakes, it was hard for him to refrain from constantly updating the plans.

The final product, Clasen said, produced an overwhelmingly positive reception from the public.

“The community has really said nothing but good things,” he said. “The comments we hear just reassure us we did the right thing.”

Clasen said he was also glad he used nearly all local sub-contractors, and said he felt they did it the right way.

“I’m just glad we did it, and we’re able to better serve the community,” he said.

Clasen-Jordan started as Jordan Mortuary in 1916. Dave’s father, Jim Clasen, bought it in 1958, and Dave took over in 1990. Dave also owns Adams Funeral Home in Adams.