A Legacy of Compassion Since 1899

Dedicated to honoring lives with dignity and compassion.

Our Legacy Begins

In 1899, John G. Adinamis, Sr., the first Greek Orthodox Funeral Director, founded in Chicago’s vibrant Lincoln Square neighborhood, establishing our beloved family funeral home at the corner of Western and Leland Avenues. For decades, this location stood as a fixture in the community, offering solace and support to countless families. Fluent in seven languages, John recognized the profound need for families to express their grief and celebrate their loved ones in their own languages. His unparalleled language translation expertise became a cornerstone of compassionate care, ensuring every family’s story was told with dignity and respect. This pioneering spirit laid the foundation for a proud, multi-generational legacy, where our family continues to serve your family with unwavering dedication, preserving memories and traditions for generations to come.

126 Years of Service

For over 126 years, the Adinamis family has been privileged to assist generations of families throughout Chicagoland, in celebrating the lives of their loved ones. Rooted in the values of dignity, respect, and faith, the family’s commitment extends beyond funeral services—they are deeply engrained in the Chicagoland Greek community and have a long-standing history of serving families from all faiths.

Guiding with Compassion

Our team remains inspired by the dedication and professionalism of their staff, who share the same commitment to excellence in service. The family is deeply humbled by the trust placed in them by so many families, allowing them to provide compassionate guidance through life’s most difficult moments.
We are grateful to continue carrying on this legacy—honoring each life, each story, and each family with the utmost care, respect, and understanding.

Vanessa Adinamis

President, Memory Eternal Funeral Directors

As President of Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, I am honored to lead a business built on compassion, care, and personal connection. For many years, I have had the privilege of serving families across the Chicagoland area, helping them navigate some of life’s most difficult moments with support, empathy, and grace.

I have proudly carried forward the legacy of my late husband, John G. Adinamis, who established the foundation of this business with a strong commitment to excellence and attention to detail. From him, I learned the importance of listening closely, honoring each family’s unique needs, and ensuring that every service we provide is both dignified and deeply meaningful.

Alongside my exceptional team at Memory Eternal, I have had the honor of leading this business with a shared mission to provide compassionate, personalized care. Their dedication, empathy, and attention to detail have been the heart of our work—helping to create meaningful experiences that truly honor each individual’s life and legacy.

For years, I have guided families through the emotional and often overwhelming process of funeral planning, offering steady support and thoughtful care every step of the way. This is more than a profession, it is a calling. And it is my promise to continue serving with the highest level of integrity, compassion, and heartfelt dedication.

Christopher Stephanos

Vice President, Memory Eternal Funeral Directors

As Vice President of Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, I am honored to carry forward a legacy of compassionate service that spans more than 126 years. With a background in technology and business, I hold a Master’s in Information Systems and a Bachelor’s in Marketing from DePaul University. While my early career took me in a different direction, I’ve always felt a deep connection to my family business and the meaningful work it represents.

Over the years, I had the privilege of working alongside my stepfather, John G. Adinamis, whose unwavering dedication to helping families during their most difficult moments shaped my understanding of true service. Through his guidance, I learned the importance of empathy, dignity, and attention to detail in every aspect of funeral care.

Drawing on my experience in technology and operations, I’ve helped modernize and strengthen our business to better support the families we serve. Now, fully immersed in this calling, I’m currently pursuing a degree in Mortuary Science at the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, committed to continuing our family’s mission with both professionalism and heart.

At Memory Eternal, our work is about more than tradition. It’s about standing beside families with compassion, respect, and genuine care when they need it most.

Dr. Katherine Orengo Gómez, MD

Board Certified Internal Medicine
Funeral Assistant and Hispanic Liaison

As a dedicated and compassionate physician, I have always been committed to providing thoughtful, high-quality care to those who need it most. Born and raised in Puerto Rico and having lived in Mexico, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges many individuals and families face—not only in accessing medical care, but also in navigating the emotional and practical difficulties that come with the end of life.

These experiences have shaped both my medical career, and my understanding of how overwhelming illness, loss, and grief can be. I’ve learned how important it is for people to feel supported, informed, and treated with dignity during life’s most difficult moments.

This is what led me to join my family in the funeral service profession. I want to help families through this deeply emotional process, offering clarity, compassion, and care every step of the way.

As a Hispanic physician, I understand how cultural values, language, and personal beliefs can shape the grieving process. My goal is to provide families, especially those who may feel uncertain or overwhelmed, with guidance that is respectful, empathetic, and culturally sensitive.

With the same dedication and heart, I’ve brought to my medical practice, I now aim to make funeral planning more approachable and supportive. Together with my family, I am here to walk beside you, offering not only professional expertise but a sincere commitment to care, connection, and community.

Dra. Katherine Orengo Gómez, M.D.

Médica Cirujana con Especialidad en Medicina Interna

Asistente de Servicios Funerarios y Representante de la Comunidad Hispana

Como médico comprometido con el bienestar integral de las personas, he dedicado mi vida profesional a brindar atención médica de calidad, siempre guiado por una profunda vocación de servicio y sensibilidad humana. Nací y crecí en Puerto Rico, y durante mi residencia en México, pude observar de cerca las múltiples barreras que enfrentan muchas familias latinoamericanas, no solo para acceder a los servicios de salud, sino también para afrontar las complejidades emocionales y prácticas que surgen al enfrentar el final de la vida.

Estas vivencias han dejado una huella profunda en mi trayectoria profesional y personal, permitiéndome comprender que la enfermedad, la pérdida y el duelo son experiencias que pueden resultar abrumadoras cuando no se cuenta con el acompañamiento adecuado. He aprendido que, en esos momentos tan difíciles, es fundamental que las personas se sientan apoyadas, escuchadas y tratadas con la dignidad que merecen.

Es esta convicción la que me motivó a unirme a mi familia en la dedicación a los servicios funerarios. Mi objetivo es ofrecer a las familias un acompañamiento respetuoso, cercano y claro durante este proceso tan delicado, guiándolas con profesionalismo, empatía y humanidad en cada paso del camino.

Como médico hispano y conocedor de nuestra cultura latinoamericana, entiendo profundamente cómo los valores familiares, las tradiciones, el idioma y las creencias espirituales influyen en la manera en que vivimos y enfrentamos el duelo. Por ello, mi compromiso es brindar un servicio culturalmente sensible, respetuoso y adaptado a las necesidades específicas de cada familia.

Con la misma dedicación que ha guiado mi práctica médica, hoy me propongo hacer de la planificación funeraria una experiencia más humana, accesible y comprensible. Junto a mi familia, estoy a su disposición para ofrecer no solo un servicio profesional de excelencia, sino también un acompañamiento sincero, basado en el respeto, la solidaridad y el sentido de comunidad que nos caracteriza.