02/15/2026
We are proud to be part of Frederick’s history!
When the Enslaved became ‘free’ and needed to bury their deceased; they would seek the services of the Undertakers who were white. However the services were substandard. Black peple were told to use the back entrances. The undertakers would accept payment but disregarded the Black co**se. The only interaction being entry and exit of the building. Families would be left to care for their deceased themselves. Working equipment would be reserved for the white bodies whilst families would have to use dirty or broken equipment. The white undertakers had no interest in caring for Black bodies only in the black dollar. Today many families come into my offices and continue the practice of washing and dressing their deceased and placing them in their coffins.
As the Black economy grew they pooled together and created their own funeral homes. Black people were now liberated and creating businesses. However this soon became a threat to the white undertakers who never thought for a moment that Black people would be competition. White undertakers executed various campaigns to discredit and close down the Black funeral homes. Tactics used were to promise Black clients a ‘better service’ but ALSO to undertake funerals for NO PAYMENT. ❤️🖤💚
Maxine Edgar
