GoodHeart | Abiathar Neita’s mission of compassion and care
Published:Saturday | April 26, 2025 | 12:08 AM
When grief knocks at the door, few are prepared to answer. But in Kingston and in his hometown of Stepney District, St Ann, families know they can turn to Abiathar Neita, a man dedicated to easing the burden of loss.
Neita has operated Neita’s Funeral Services & Supplies since 2018, not just as a business, but as a community cornerstone built on compassion, dignity, and service.
What began as a funeral services venture quickly evolved into something deeper. Neita recognised early on that many families were not only grieving a loved one, but also struggling with the financial strain of funeral expenses.
Instead of turning them away, Neita leaned in, offering flexible payment options, affordable solutions, and, when necessary, personally covering costs to ensure that every family could say goodbye with grace.
“This work is personal for me,” Neita explained. “It’s not about caskets or ceremonies. It’s about people. It’s about being there when no one else can be.”
His journey into this line of work wasn’t accidental. Growing up in a tight-knit rural community, Neita witnessed how death could financially devastate struggling families and the emotional toll of lacking support. This awareness inspired him to create a funeral service that not only honoured life, but also supported the living.
Neita’s presence offers emotional reassurance. Families speak of his calming energy, gentle tone, and his ability to listen without judgement. In times of chaos, he brings order; in times of heartbreak, he brings comfort.
Over the years, Neita has built a reputation for providing peace, not just a service. His kindness extends beyond his business; he checks in on bereaved families after the funeral, assists with grief support, and connects people to other services as needed. His funeral home is a rare space where humanity and professionalism meet.
In Jamaica, where the cost of end-of-life care can place a heavy burden on low-income families, Neita’s model of service is both timely and necessary. Many in the industry focus on volume, but Neita focuses on value, measured not in dollars, but in dignity and trust.
His impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, Abiathar Neita was named one of Supreme Ventures Foundation’s Supreme Heroes, a national programme recognising Jamaicans who are making a difference in their communities. For Neita, the recognition is meaningful, but not because of accolades. “I see it as a chance to reach more people, to grow what we’ve built into something even more helpful,” he said.
In a world where businesses often prioritise profits, Abiathar Neita’s story is a reminder that service, true, heart-centred service, still matters. Through his funeral home, he continues to walk with families through some of their hardest days, offering not just a final farewell, but the kind of support that lingers long after the tears have dried.