In The News & Community
Serving the Communities of Tampa Bay Since 1980
For generations, Aikens Funeral Home has been honored to serve families throughout Tampa and the surrounding communities. Beyond the services we provide, we are proud to remain actively involved in programs, schools, and organizations that strengthen the neighborhoods we call home.
From supporting youth athletics to participating in educational programs across Tampa Bay, our commitment to community service is an extension of the same care and dedication we bring to every family we serve.
July 2025
Honoring a Fallen Airman
The arrival & Dignified Transfer of Staff Sergeant Adonys Jimel Nivens
On the morning of June 17, 2025, the Tampa community gathered at Tampa International Airport to receive U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Adonys Jimel Nivens (1997–2025) as he returned home.
Under the quiet light of the early morning sky, an honor guard detail, first responders, and members of the public stood in solemn respect as the aircraft arrived. The dignified transfer of Staff Sergeant Nivens was carried out with the precision and reverence reserved for those who have served our nation with distinction.
The ceremony, captured in the video featured below, reflects a powerful moment of unity as Tampa paused to honor one of its own.
A Life of Service
Born on January 1, 1997, Staff Sergeant Nivens served with distinction in the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing of the United States Air Force.
Known among his peers for both technical excellence and a spirit of mentorship, he quickly earned the respect of fellow Airmen and superiors alike. Though his service carried him across the world, Tampa remained the place he called home.
His return was met with the dignity, gratitude, and respect befitting a member of America’s armed forces.
A Community United in Respect
Airside Honors
Airmen from MacDill Air Force Base rendered final honors as the flag-draped transfer case was carefully moved from the aircraft to the awaiting hearse.
Law Enforcement Escort
Officers from the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office led a solemn procession along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard as members of the community paused to stand, salute, and reflect.
Family and Loved Ones
Family and friends received Staff Sergeant Nivens with folded flags, quiet embraces, and the enduring promise that his service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Funeral Director Ms. LaCheryl Aikens-Guzman reflected on the moment:
“Providing dignified care for our nation’s defenders is a sacred responsibility. Every movement, every salute, and every moment of reflection during this ceremony was our way of ensuring that Staff Sergeant Nivens was welcomed home with the honor he earned.”
Inside the Tribute Video
The tribute video below captures the solemn dignity of the ceremony, including:
- The aircraft’s arrival and coordinated transfer
- Military honors performed by fellow Airmen
- The quiet departure of the motorcade as Staff Sergeant Nivens was escorted home
Supporting Veteran Families
Aikens Funeral Home is honored to assist military families in navigating the benefits and honors their loved ones have earned through service. Our team helps coordinate:
- Military Honors
- VA Burial Benefits
- Presidential Memorial Certificates
- Flag Presentation Ceremonies
- Veteran Memorial Tributes
If your family would like assistance with veteran services or preplanning, our team is available 24 hours a day at (813) 232-8725.
Pay Tribute
You can honor the life and service of Staff Sergeant Adonys Jimel Nivens by:
- Watching the tribute video above
- Signing the online guest book
https://www.aikensfuneralhome.com/obituary/ssgt-adonys-nivens
“No duty is more urgent than returning a hero to the soil he fought to protect.”
From all of us at Aikens Funeral Home, we thank the community for joining us in honoring Staff Sergeant Nivens and every service member who stands watch over our freedoms.
We remain committed to serving families with compassion, integrity, and the belief that every life tells a story worth remembering.
October 2025
Live Violin or Cello During Friday Calling Hours
Creating a Gentle Space for Reflection
Beginning this October, Aikens Funeral Home is honored to introduce a meaningful enhancement to our Friday evening Calling Hours: live violin or cello music performed in our lobby.
The purpose is simple — to create a calm and comforting environment where family members and guests can pause, breathe, and quietly reflect as they gather to honor the life of a loved one.
Music has long played an important role in remembrance. The soft sound of a violin or cello can provide a sense of peace and reverence, helping to create a space where memories can be shared and emotions can be felt without distraction.
This offering reflects our continued commitment to thoughtful details that support families during life’s most meaningful moments.
What Families Can Expect
Solo musician
A professional violinist or cellist is performing quietly in the lobby.
Tone & Atmosphere
A peaceful and reflective ambiance designed to support families — not a concert performance.
Repertoire
Selections may include traditional and contemporary gospel, beloved hymns, and uplifting instrumental music.
Volume
Soft, conversation-friendly level.
Location
Aikens Funeral Home lobby.
Timing
Friday evenings during Calling Hours.
Why We're Adding Music
At Aikens Funeral Home, we believe that every detail and every gesture matters. Soft, live music can ease a difficult day and provide a tender backdrop for conversation, comfort, and connection. It is our hope that this addition offers an atmosphere of reflection, healing, and peace for those we serve.
Moments of Reflection - Friday Evening at Aikens
March 2025
Aikens Funeral Home Introduces Complimentary Golf Cart Limo Service
Enhancing Comfort & Mobility for Families & Guests
At Aikens Funeral Home, thoughtful details matter. In 2025, we introduced a new service designed to improve accessibility and convenience for the families we serve: a complimentary Golf Cart Limo Service.
This service assists guests in moving comfortably between parking areas and the funeral home during visitations, services, and gatherings. For elderly guests, individuals with mobility challenges, or those attending large services, the golf cart provides a convenient and dignified way to arrive safely and comfortably.
The addition reflects our continued commitment to anticipating the needs of families and creating a welcoming environment where every guest feels cared for.
Supporting Youth in Our Community
Belmont Heights Little League
For more than four decades, Aikens Funeral Home has proudly supported Belmont Heights Little League, one of Tampa’s historic youth baseball programs.
Since the early 1980s, Aikens has sponsored teams and encouraged young athletes in the Belmont Heights community to develop discipline, teamwork, and confidence through sports.
Belmont Heights Little League has long been recognized as a cornerstone of youth baseball in Tampa, producing talented players and providing opportunities for young people to grow both on and off the field. Supporting organizations like Belmont Heights reflects our belief that strong communities are built by investing in the next generation.
We are honored to continue supporting the league and celebrating the achievements of the young athletes who represent our community with pride.
Belmont Heights Little League Team - Proudly Sponsored by Aikens Funeral Home
Inspiring the Next Generation
The Great American Teach-In
Education plays an essential role in shaping the future of our community. Members of the Aikens Funeral Home team regularly participate in The Great American Teach-In, a nationwide initiative that invites professionals to visit local schools and share insights about their careers.
During these visits, our staff members speak with students about:
- the importance of compassion and service
- the responsibilities of funeral professionals
- the value of dignity and respect in caring for others
- career opportunities within funeral service
These conversations help students gain a broader understanding of professions that serve communities in meaningful ways.
We are proud to participate in programs that encourage young people to explore careers focused on service, leadership, and community care.
Members of the Aikens Funeral Home team participating in The Great American Teach-In in Tampa area schools.
March 2025
Personalized Funeral Planning in Tampa Aikens Funeral Home Introduces New Arrangement Room for Personalized Funeral Planning
Aikens Funeral Home is pleased to announce the opening of a newly designed funeral arrangement room, created to provide families with a comfortable and private setting for planning meaningful services for their loved ones.
Planning a funeral often requires families to make important decisions during a very emotional time. The new arrangement room was thoughtfully designed to provide a peaceful environment where families can meet with our funeral directors, review service options, and make arrangements in a setting that encourages reflection and conversation.
A Comfortable Space for Important Decisions
The arrangement room features soft lighting, comfortable seating, and modern tools that allow families to explore memorial options, service formats, and tribute selections in a calm and supportive environment.
Whether planning a traditional funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life, the space allows families to focus on honoring their loved one in a private and dignified setting.
Tom Jones, General Manager at Aikens Funeral Home, shared the vision behind the space:
“Our goal with the new arrangement room is to create a comforting environment where families can feel at ease while making important decisions about their loved one’s service. Every detail of the room was designed to support families with privacy, compassion, and thoughtful guidance.”
Supporting Families at Every Stage
At Aikens Funeral Home, we believe every family deserves personalized care and professional support during their time of loss.
The new arrangement room is one of many ways we continue to enhance the experience for the families we serve. Whether you are planning ahead or facing an immediate need, our team is here to guide you through every step with compassion and attention to detail.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call (813) 232-8725.
Our newly designed arrangement room provides families with a private and comfortable setting for funeral planning.
Aikens Funeral Home Launches First Funeral Home Billboard Campaign in Tampa
March 2026
Aikens Funeral Home has launched a new billboard campaign across Tampa Bay, becoming one of the first funeral homes in the region to utilize outdoor advertising to communicate directly with the community.
The campaign features a message that reflects the legacy and values that have guided Aikens Funeral Home for decades:
“The Standard Since 1980.”
The billboards serve as a reminder of the long-standing commitment Aikens Funeral Home has made to families throughout Tampa. For more than four decades, the Aikens family and their team have provided compassionate funeral, cremation, and preplanning services with dignity, professionalism, and attention to detail.
“Our goal is simply to remind the community that we are here when families need us most,” said the leadership team at Aikens Funeral Home. “For generations, families have trusted us during some of the most important moments of their lives.”
The campaign reflects the continued growth of Aikens Funeral Home and its dedication to serving families across Tampa with the same standard of care that has defined the organization since 1980.
Aikens Funeral Home’s “The Standard Since 1980” billboard campaign displayed across Tampa Bay.
A Legacy of Service in the Tampa Community
Serving families is at the heart of everything we do, but our commitment extends far beyond the walls of our funeral home. At Aikens Funeral Home, we believe that everything matters; every life, every family, and every detail that helps honor a meaningful legacy.
For generations, Aikens Funeral Home has supported local organizations, community initiatives, and educational programs that strengthen the Tampa Bay community. We believe that being part of a community means giving back to it; through service, mentorship, and long-standing partnerships with organizations that make a difference.
The stories shared on this page reflect more than individual moments or announcements. Together, they represent the values that have guided Aikens Funeral Home for generations.
From supporting youth programs like Belmont Heights Little League, to participating in educational initiatives such as the Great American Teach-In, to honoring America’s heroes and continually enhancing the services we provide to families, our commitment to the Tampa community remains steadfast.
Every improvement we make, every community partnership we support, and every family we serve is guided by the same philosophy that has defined Aikens Funeral Home for generations: that every life deserves to be honored with dignity, every family deserves compassion and guidance, and every detail matters.
Those values are captured in the words that guide our work each day:
Following the launch of “The Standard Since 1980,” Aikens Funeral Home expanded the campaign to include additional messages that reflect the full scope of care provided to families at every stage.
This message highlights Aikens Funeral Home’s unwavering commitment to serving families with compassion, dignity, and professionalism—without cutting corners or sacrificing quality.
Whether a family is making immediate arrangements or planning ahead, every service is delivered with the same level of care and attention to detail that has defined Aikens Funeral Home for generations.
Focused on preplanning, this message encourages families to take control of their future with clarity and peace of mind.
Aikens Funeral Home provides guidance and support to help families make informed decisions in advance, ensuring their wishes are honored and their loved ones are protected.
This foundational message reflects over four decades of trusted service in the Tampa community.
It serves as a reminder that Aikens Funeral Home has consistently delivered excellence, building a legacy rooted in trust, professionalism, and community commitment.
Together, these messages represent a unified campaign designed to meet families where they are—whether in a time of need or in preparation for the future; while reinforcing the values that have defined Aikens Funeral Home for generations.
Where Everything Matters
At Aikens Funeral Home, serving our community is not simply part of our mission; it is part of our heritage. We are honored by the trust families place in us and remain committed to carrying that responsibility forward for generations to come.
The Aikens Funeral Home team proudly serves the Tampa community