History & Staff

At Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, we have provided customizable memorial services for many years. Personalized service options allow you to honor your loved ones in a way that is both meaningful and healing. We hope to provide support and caring while delivering memorial services that celebrate life and help families find the peace they deserve.
If you’re seeking an honorable celebration of life in Charlotte and the surrounding areas, we invite you to learn more about where we came from and the dedicated people behind our work.

A History of Caring

Hankins & Whittington
Dilworth Chapel

The history of Hankins & Whittington – Dilworth Chapel dates back to 1946 when Irvin W. Hankins and James B. Whittington were discharged from the military. Having served together during World War II, they returned to Charlotte and immediately resumed their positions with Crouch Funeral Home, which they then purchased in August of 1946. In 1949, they moved to a larger location at 1714 South Boulevard and changed the name to Hankins & Whittington Funeral Directors.

In March 1963, they moved to the present location at 1111 East Boulevard after purchasing the property from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. The former church was renovated and adapted for use as a funeral home. Hankins & Whittington has since grown into one of the leading funeral service providers in North Carolina, thanks to the unselfish dedication of Irvin Hankins and Jim Whittington. Through the years, the men also served the community in various civic and church activities, including city government and Little League Baseball. The desire of Mr. Hankins and Mr. Whittington to serve the people of the greater Charlotte area in a professional and personal manner has always remained the focus of our staff.

Over time, the facilities have continually been updated to create an atmosphere that is both warm and inviting. The chapel, built in the early 1930’s, retains the charm of stained glass, a vaulted ceiling, and brick walls. Upon entering the lobby, guests are greeted with a beautifully appointed room accented by a fireplace. Visitation rooms are also tastefully decorated and colorful. However, more important than the beauty of our building is the manner in which our staff serves the families who pass through our doors. Attention to detail and encouragement of meaningful and creative services has become our hallmark.

After more than 70 years of service, we appreciate the reputation we have established with the people of Charlotte – "Celebrating Memories Since 1946”

Our Staff’s Dedication to Respectful Care

A funeral, or memorial service, should provide family members and loved ones with the chance to reflect, remember, and celebrate a life well-lived. At Hankins & Whittington, our goal is to create exceptional services and experiences that fulfill the wishes of your loved one. Our experienced Funeral Directors provide guidance on the crucial first steps toward healing.

Joseph A. Immordino, Jr.
Location Leader & Licensed Funeral Director

Joe resided and served families as a licensed funeral director and grief counselor in Pennsylvania and New Jersey prior to moving to the Charlotte, NC area. With over 25 years of experience, he has served hundreds of families in their most difficult time. Joe’s experience includes helping others as a licensed funeral director, facilitating grief support groups and individual support as a Biblical counselor. He also has clinical experience as a hospice chaplain and bereavement coordinator.

His education includes degrees in mortuary science, practical ministry, theological studies, and Biblical studies in counseling and is certified in Thanatology (The study of death, dying, and bereavement) by the Association of Death Education and Counseling.

Joe and his wife, Chris, have four children and two granddaughters.



Helen Katopodis
Administrative Assistant

Helen lived in Los Angeles for 25 years starting in ticket sales for the Pantages and Wilshire Theatres before moving on as the Director of Group Sales for the Shubert Theatre. She is an animal lover, cinephile fanatic, loves anything mid-century and is a 19th century history buff. After moving back to Charlotte in 2001 to care for her parents, she served 17 years working for McGuireWoods Law Firm prior to working with Hankins and Whittington.

While working in the funeral industry was never part of her game plan, her many years of customer service made it a good fit. She feels that taking a deceased loved one into our care is only half of our job. The other half is taking care of our families who sometimes need us long after their loved ones are gone.



Morgan Berard
Licensed Funeral Director

Originally from Illinois, Morgan moved to Charlotte in 2019 so that she could be closer with family. In 2020, she decided to enroll in mortuary school at Fayetteville Technical Community College and pursue a career in funeral service. Now a licensed funeral director, Morgan finds fulfillment in serving families in the community she has come to know and love. She currently lives with her sister, brother-in-law, and her beloved cats, Juicebox and Burbank.