One of our company’s favorite all-time memories was when we hosted a client cocktail party inside the storied McCune Mansion in Salt Lake City. One thing that made this event so special was bringing funeral directors together in a turn-of-the-century mansion, a place that featured unique, historical design features not unlike what you can find today in some extraordinary funeral home buildings. All across the country, you can examples of remarkable funeral home architecture, lovingly preserved by funeral professionals who are dedicated to maintaining their stewarded treasures.
While all funeral directors take pride in the appearance of their chapels and facilities, some mortuary professionals have the fortunate to get to work every day in architectural masterpieces. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many high society families used their wealth to have extravagant family mansions built similar to those featured in HBO’s The Gilded Age. In the 1930s and 40s, the use of large mansion style homes became less practical for Americans. Many funeral professionals of that era recognized the value of these expansive, multi-room spaces for holding funeral ceremonies. We have them to thank for why so many of unique, historical buildings have been passed down from generation to generation, allowing so many families to be able to remember their loved ones in a setting fit for royalty.
Of course, in all fairness, we cannot give those early 20th century funeral directors all the credit since it was their future generations who worked to ensure these grand structures stood the test of time. Keeping a building stable and functional without sacrificing its historic charms requires both commitment and a strong appreciation for structural elegance. It’s no surprise many of the examples on this list belong to firms cherished by their communities, where the funeral home is regarded as a beloved town landmark. Their dedication to preserving these stunning pieces of funeral home architecture is truly worthy of admiration.
Here are 10 Funeral Homes in Remarkable Buildings
1. Ashton Funeral Home in Easton, PA
When you look at photos of Ashton Funeral Home, it is hard to decide whether to be more impressed by it’s gorgeous faced or the magnificent interior design elements. The building was purchased by the Ashton family in 1948, but their origins in the funeral business date back much further in 1847. When reading over the funeral home’s history, it’s clear that in those early days the need for a large funeral home facility was not necessary as most funerals took place inside a family’s home. By the 1940s however, the prevalence of large funeral homes with parlor rooms had grown in popularity, leading the Ashton family to purchase this stately Victorian mansion. The building has been expertly maintained by each generation to preserve its original charm.
From the funeral home’s website: “The lovely parlors of our funeral home perfectly combine traditional parlor comfort with modern technology. Each room is graced with a Victorian fireplace, carved wood paneling and doors, and period furnishings. The parlors are intimate enough to offer privacy, yet opened to each other.”
McElhaney-Hart Funeral Home in Huntington, IN
Mortuaries don’t get much grander than McElhaney-Hart Funeral Home. This stunning example of funeral home architecture makes such a striking first impression, resembling a giant redbrick cathedral on a hill. The interior looks as though it comes from the set of a 18th century British drama. The building, known as the Taylor-Zent house, was built in 1895 for businessman and banker, Enos T. Taylor. The home was originally used as a private residence with 17 rooms and a full ballroom. It is considered to be an excellent example of the Romanesque Revival style of architecture which features round arches, heavy stone/brick, towers, squat columns, and plaques.
The building was purchased by a funeral home 1939 and over the past 86 years it has undergone many ownership changes but has consistently remained a family-run mortuary, with each new family continuing the building’s enduring legacy. Today, the McElhaney family are now the trusted steward of this architectural marvel which is also a registered landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.
3. Carr Funeral Home in Whitinsville, MA
Another funeral home building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Carr Funeral Home is an impressive Victorian style home built in 1869. The building is Queen Anne style house, which is known for intricate details, asymmetrical facades, spacious wraparound porches, and usually feature a steep roof with a cross gables or large dormers. This writer has a special place in her heart for this style of architecture, which I have often affectionally referred to as “wedding cake houses.” With its tiffany stained windows and beautiful crown molding accent pieces, the Carr Funeral Home certainly fits the criteria. The building’s most striking design feature is a large tower that extends above the roofline and is capped by an intricate iron crown.
4. SkyRose Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, CA
Perched atop a hill overlooking downtown Los Angeles, SkyRose Chapel located in Rose Hills Memorial Park is architecturally significant and deeply inspirational. As the most contemporary entry on our list, SkyRose Chapel was built in the 1990s after six years of careful research, design and construction. Its design incorporates modern elements with traditional influences, creating a serene environment for reflection. The chapel overlooks California’s San Gabriel Valley and features a Quimby pipe organ, one of the largest in LA.
5. Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, P.A in Frederick, MD
Every building on this list offers a distinct architectural design element that is truly unique and eye-catching. For the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, P.A. in Frederick, MD, the standout feature is unquestionable its magnificent triple-arched windows. Of course, the beautiful front porch columns and the lovely overhanging eaves near the roof add a special touch also. Built in 1852, the funeral home building is known as Trail Mansion as it was constructed by Charles Trail, a renowned politician and businessman in the town of Frederick. The building was sold to a funeral home in 1939 and, since that time, has continually operated as a mortuary. Here’s a recent release about when current owners, Rollings Funeral Service, became the historic funeral home’s new stewards in 2022.
From the city of Frederick’s architecture walking tour brochure: “Amongst streets of vernacular buildings, several residential structures stand out for their high style architecture and refined features. The Trail Mansion is a classic example of the Italianate style, with its heavy bracketing, distinct roof overhangs, and narrow and elongated openings. It was built in 1854, in the early part of the Italianate period (1850s-1870s). As the City of Frederick continues to densify, the Trail Mansion retains its large lot, surrounded by more typical narrow urban lots, providing a sense of the period’s increasingly popular country estates.”
6. Haley McGinnis Funeral Home in Owensboro, KY
Most people might not use the word gorgeous to describe a funeral home, but when you look at photos of Haley McGinnis Funeral Home there is simply no better word to describe the lovely building and beautiful surrounding grounds. The funeral home is located in a building that began as a castle-like structure built in 1860 known as “Stirman’s Folly.” Built by nineteenth century physician, Dr. William Stirman, the Victorian mansion is considered a prime example of Italianate style, complete with a Tuscan tower. It is believed the word ‘Folly’ was added to the name due to the exorbitant cost the doctor paid for the building’s construction. Folly or not, at least his vision stood the test of time.
In 1915, the building was sold to a tobacco farmer who remodeled the house, adding a front porch. In 1945, it was sold to the owners of Haley-McGinnis Funeral Home who have lovingly maintained the historical mansion ever since. This is especially fitting as the building’s original architect, Thomas J. Blanchard, was the great-grandfather of Allen W. Haley, former president of the Haley-McGinnis Funeral Home. Some of the funeral home’s contributions to the property include the enclosure of the front porch and a beautiful fountain. The building was designated a state landmark by the Kentucky Heritage Commission in 1970 and added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1986. On the street in front of the funeral home, a historical marker plaque provides details on the building’s historical significance.
7. Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, MI
In the late 1800s, Traverse City Founder and lumber baron, Perry Hannah, wanted to erect a picturesque mansion he could enjoy his well retirement inside. After two years of construction and the combined efforts of over 60 men, the Perry Hannah Mansion was finished in 1893. The mansion is a stunning blend of Queen Anne and French Chateaux design, featuring many unique design elements both inside and out, such as the decorative accents surrounding the mansion’s many windows and the ornate woodcarvings adorning mansion’s 10 fireplaces.
Over the years, the funeral home changed hands multiple times, with each owner preserving the mansion’s historic charm. In 1976, the Jonkhoff family took ownership, continuing the tradition of care and stewardship. Today, the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home regularly hosts open houses, inviting the public to explore the historic mansion and appreciate its architectural beauty up close.
From the funeral home’s website: “There are 40 rooms on four full floors with 3500 square feet on each floor. Ten fireplaces (six on the main floor, and 4 on the second floor) all hand carved in Belgium and reassembled in Traverse City. Eight have handmade Venetian tiles. The home was heated with coal originally and features steam radiators throughout the home. Today the home is heated with gas. Perry being a lumber baron used many different types of wood in the home including cherry, birch, beech, birdseye, curly maple, oak, dark oak, and walnut. The only non-native wood is Brazilian mahogany with is in the former dining roomed today called the mahogany room.”
8. Traunero Funeral Home in Tiffin, OH
Another lovely Queen Anne style home, the Traunero Funeral Home features beautiful red brick, a striking turret that extends above the roofline, and lovely circular front porch accented impressive columns. Traunero Funeral Home’s property began as a private home built in 1881 for a hardware store and bank owner. In 1951, it was purchased by a funeral director and has operated as a mortuary ever since, with current owners Richard and Andrea Traunero purchasing the funeral home in 1997.
In an article celebrating the funeral home’s 125th anniversary, Richard Traunero stated the milestone was about “our predecessors and the legacy that has been established.” It is clear there is a strong appreciation for the funeral home’s architecture which has been impeccably preserved with very few renovations since it’s construction over 100 years ago. In addition to preserving the structure, the Trauneros have also made their building a welcoming sight for all those in the community by adorning the property with colorful landscaping during warmer months, and festive, twinkling lights throughout the holiday season.
From the funeral home’s website: “The home’s three floors each occupy approximately 2,000 square feet, in addition to the full basement. The woodwork, which is plentiful throughout the home, is all original, with no refinishing having taken place at all. The windows, many of which are curved to conform to the bay and turret areas, are original, as are several stained-glass windows. There are also leaded crystal windows in the massive front entrance door. The addition of the larger chapel and the four-bay garage in back was added in the 1960’s. The funeral home sits atop a small hill at the corner of South Monroe and Charlotte Streets and is a well-recognized landmark in Tiffin.”
9. Kessler & Maguire Funeral Home in St Paul, MN
There are two really neat things about the funeral home architecture on display at Kessler & Maguire Funeral Home. Firstly, the design combines stonework and Tudor-style design elements to create a funeral home building that looks like no other in America. Second, the building was designed and built by the funeral home’s founders themselves in 1926. The unique English-style theme is truly unique and stands out from the crowd. We can imagine the funeral home will have quite a celebration next year when they celebrate the building’s 100 anniversary. The funeral home also has the distinction of being the first building in St. Paul specifically constructed as a funeral home. Today, the property looks largely the same as it did when it was designed by the Kessler and Maguire families, even featuring the same original neon sign on the roof.
10. Chapman Moser Funeral Home in Little Falls, NY
Like many of the entries on our list, the Chapman Moser Funeral Home was originally built in the 1800s as the residence of a wealthy businessman before being purchased by a funeral director in the mid-20th century. This stately Italianate-style Victorian home boasts distinctive upper and lower balcony porches, elegantly accented by white pillars. Intricate decorative cornices, eaves, and overhangs adorn the roof and windows, adding to its historic charm.
A wrought-iron fence encloses the property, while a magnificent maple tree graces the front lawn, enhancing the home’s picturesque appeal. According to the funeral home’s website, “Great pains have been taken to maintain the Victorian look of the home both inside and out.” This dedication to preservation is evident in every architectural detail, making the Chapman Moser Funeral Home a beautifully maintained piece of history.
Which example of stunning funeral home architecture impressed you the most? Are there any other beautiful and historic funeral home buildings we may have missed on our list? Share in the comments below!
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