Officialfuneralworld

02/11/2026

Black History Highlights: Mortician Edition

Lawrence A. Jones & Sons | Kansas City

Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapels was founded in 1950 when Lawrence A. Jones Sr. and his wife Nettie established what would become one of Kansas City’s most respected African-American-owned funeral homes. Jones began his career in the mortuary business as a young teenager, learning the trade from his earliest days cleaning and maintaining a local funeral home before striking out on his own. What started as a modest three-room funeral home on 18th Street and Park Avenue grew over the decades into a multi-location operation serving families across Kansas City, both in Missouri and Kansas. From the outset, Jones was determined to build a lasting family enterprise; he taught his sons the business so that “when the owners died, their business didn’t die.”

The funeral chapel has been known for compassionate, comprehensive services that reflect deep respect for the families it serves. Lawrence A. Jones & Sons offers a wide range of funeral and memorial options—from traditional funerals and burials to cremation services and personalized celebrations of life—emphasizing ceremony as a key part of the healing process. The firm strives to create meaningful experiences that help loved ones acknowledge loss and begin to heal, while also accommodating diverse cultural traditions and preferences. Today, the business continues to be family-owned and operated, with descendants of the founders and long-standing professional staff upholding its traditions of integrity and care.

Beyond its professional services, the legacy of Lawrence A. Jones & Sons is deeply tied to community support and humanitarian commitment. Founder Lawrence A. Jones Sr. was widely regarded as a pillar of the African-American community in Kansas City; former Mayor Emanuel Cleaver described the funeral home as “one of the great strengths of the African-American community” for its blending of business success with civic involvement. Jones was known for assisting families regardless of their financial means, often providing burials for those who otherwise couldn’t afford them—a testament to his belief that “you’re no more in death than you are in life.” Through these acts of service and leadership, the funeral home has played an important role in supporting families and contributing to social resilience in the face of systemic inequalities.

02/11/2026

The National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, Inc. (NFDMA, Inc.) invites all members to participate in a special industry wide spotlight celebrating the talent, heritage, and innovation that define our profession. We are gathering written features and short videos that highlight the strengths, history, and unique qualities of funeral service professionals across the world, and WE want you to be included!

02/10/2026

02/10/2026

Black History Highlights: Morticians Edition

E. F. Boyd & Sons | Cleveland, Ohio

E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home was established in 1905 by Elmer F. Boyd, making it one of the oldest African American-owned funeral homes in the nation and the oldest Black-owned business in Cuyahoga County. Boyd, after graduating from mortuary school (Clark’s College of Embalming in Cincinnati), opened his first operation — originally known as the E. F. Boyd Funeral Parlor — on Central Avenue in Cleveland with partner Lewis J. Dean; by 1911 the two separated and Boyd continued the business on his own. The enterprise moved locations several times as it grew, settling at 2165 E. 89th Street in 1938 after Boyd and his family purchased the former Slaughter Brothers Funeral Home. That acquisition also brought the current name, E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home, reflecting the involvement of his son William in the firm.

From its founding, the business stayed in the Boyd family, now spanning four generations. After Elmer’s death in 1944, his wife Cora Stewart Boyd and son William F. Boyd, Sr., along with daughter-in-law Mary Webster Boyd, continued growing the business and enhancing its stature in the region. William Sr. became a prominent civic figure: he served on the Cleveland Board of Education in the 1960s (including as vice-president) and chaired the first Freedom Fund dinner for the Cleveland NAACP in 1959, demonstrating the family’s commitment beyond business to broader community leadership and civil engagement. The Boyds were honored by local institutions — including recognition as Urban League Family of the Year — for their service. Throughout its long history, the funeral home has been more than a business: it has been a community anchor and symbol of Black entrepreneurship and resilience in Cleveland. By offering compassionate bereavement services to families of all backgrounds, the firm built deep community ties while also serving as a supportive institution in times of public mourning and celebration. Members of the Boyd family were active in organizations like the NAACP and Urban League, and in local governance, helping shape policies affecting education and community welfare during pivotal eras of civil rights progress. Today the funeral homes remain family-operated, continuing their century-plus legacy of service.

02/09/2026

Black History Highlights | Morticians Edition

Leak & Sons Funeral Home of Chicago, Illinois, was founded in 1933 by Rev. A.R. Leak during the Great Migration, a time when African American families faced limited and unequal access to funeral services. Starting with humble beginnings on Chicago’s South Side, the Leak family built a funeral home rooted in dignity, affordability, and compassion. As the business grew, it became a trusted institution in the Black community, later establishing its well-known location near 78th Street and Cottage Grove and continuing as a multi-generation, family-owned operation.

Throughout its history, Leak & Sons has served countless Chicago families, including those connected to cultural icons. The funeral home played a significant role in the farewell of legendary singer Sam Cooke in 1964, hosting a service in Chicago where thousands gathered to pay their respects before his burial in Los Angeles. Leak & Sons has also been associated with services for notable Chicago natives such as Bernie Mac, while consistently providing the same level of care and respect to everyday families, reinforcing its reputation as a pillar of trust and service.

Beyond funeral care, Leak & Sons holds a meaningful place in civil rights history. During the 1960s, the funeral home provided limousine transportation for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders when discriminatory practices prevented Black leaders from being served elsewhere. The Leak family also took an active stand against segregation, helping lead protests that resulted in the integration of Chicago cemeteries. Today, Leak & Sons continues its legacy of service, faith, and advocacy, remaining a vital part of Chicago’s history and a symbol of enduring commitment to the community.

02/08/2026

Black History Highlight: Mortician Edition

Whigham Funeral Home was established in 1946, by the late Mr. Charles Lemar Whigham. Charles took a stride of confidence when founding Whigham Funeral Home at its initial property, a two-family house, that was ultimately transformed into a full-service funeral home. In 1967, Whigham Funeral Home relocated across the street from its original premises to 580 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd where the business has continued to be blessed and grow ever since.

After his transition in the fall of 1993, Charles’ daughter Carolyn Marie Whigham assumed ownership of the funeral home continuing her father’s legacy and she has been in the position as CEO since 1993. Today, Whigham Funeral Home still operates under the same principles of Mr. Whigham and that is, to serve every family with personal care and provide helpful resources to families who are dealing with the passing of a loved one

02/07/2026

Black History Highlights: Mortician Edition

Crowe’s Funeral Home | Jamaica, NY

Crowe’s Funeral Home has deep roots in the Jamaica, Queens community, beginning in the mid-20th century with Samuel A. Crowe’s commitment to serving families during their most difficult times. After feeling a personal calling to assist people in grief as early as the 1920s, Crowe partnered to open Ford’s Funeral Home in the early 1930s, gaining experience and trust within the community. In 1945, he officially established Crowe’s Funeral Homes, Inc., originally on South Road in Jamaica, laying the foundation for what would become a long-standing family-owned business. Over the years, the firm expanded to meet the growing needs of its neighbors with additional branches and later consolidated operations at its present location on Sutphin Boulevard, where it was recorded as incorporated in 1950. From its early days, the funeral home was known not just for professional service but for genuine care, respect, and a personal touch that resonated with families throughout Southeast Queens.
Today, Crowe’s Funeral Home continues to honor that original mission by providing compassionate, comprehensive funeral and memorial services tailored to the unique traditions and needs of each family. Still family-operated and led by later generations including Chaplain Kenneth Brewster, the business remains open 24/7 to support the community with everything from traditional funeral services and cremations to pre-planning guidance and grief-support outreach. Its longstanding presence has earned recognition and trust in Jamaica and beyond, making it not just a service provider but a local institution woven into the borough’s social fabric. The legacy that started with Samuel A. Crowe’s dedication lives on through a commitment to dignity, empathy, and excellence in funeral care.

Officialfuneralworld

02/07/2026

Black History Month: Mortician Edition

O’Neil D. Swanson was born in Birmingham Alabama and moved at an early age to Dayton Ohio, where he attended school and graduated as a member of the National Honor Society from the Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School. In June 1953, he graduated from Central State University, and from 1953 through 1955 served the United States as a member of the military, receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of First Lieutenant. O’Neil then continued his education at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, graduating cm laude in 1956, and in that same year he improved his professional status by passing the National Conference of Funeral Services Examiners Board. Two years later, O’Neil D. Swanson founded Swanson Funeral Homes, Inc. in Detroit, Michigan.

As the business grew and prospered, the Swanson Foundation was established to fullfill a responsibility to the community by providing scholarships for the less fortunate and to aid other underserved areas of the community. In addition, O’Neil has been active in many business, cultural and social organizations and his achievements have been recognized by many, including the conferring of two honorary Doctorate Degrees by both Shaw College in Detroit, Michigan and Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

O’Neil D. Swanson first opened the doors of the Swanson Funeral Home in 1958 pledging to provide superior service to all who walked through his doors. Since that time, the Swanson Funeral Home has become a fixture in the community, providing outstanding service. O’Neil D. Swanson is a pioneer in the field of Mortuary Science, constantly raising the level of service and support to the community. Today he continues to provide that same kind of personal service and compassionate support to the community along with the entire Swanson Family and Staff.

02/05/2026

02/04/2026

Black History Highlight: Mortician Edition

Chestnut Funeral Home | Gainesville, Fl
Mr. Matthew E. Hughes, also known as “Boisey” approached Mr. Charles S. Chestnut, Sr. about opening a Funeral Home in Gainesville, Florida. They opened Hughes and Chestnut Funeral Home in Gainesville and later in Ocala, Florida. Hughes and Chestnut are also listed among the founding members of the Florida Mortician Association, a Black Association for Black Morticians.

The Florida law establishing licensing of Funeral Homes was passed in the 1959 session of the Florida Legislature. Therefore, the first licenses issued were in July 1959 for the fiscal year 1959-1960. On September 2, 1959, license 199 was issued to Hughes and Chestnut Funeral Home, Gainesville, Florida. The application for this establishment indicates that operation began in 1914, and the co-owners were Matthew E. Hughes and Charles S. Chestnut, Sr. Mr. Hughes died June 15, 1947, Mr. Chestnut, Sr. died July 14, 1977.

Mr. Chestnut was among the first forty Black Embalmers having received his license 388 on May 20, 1928. The law was passed in 1917 for Embalmers, but only thirty-nine black men had been grandfathered in or granted a license.

Licensing of Funeral Directors became applicable in 1935 and Mr. Chestnut was among the first to receive his license; 115, and he was also one of the first fifteen who were initially licensed as a Funeral Director. All other Funeral Directors were grandfathered in at that time of which, forty-six black Funeral Directors were licensed.

For one hundred years or more, Chestnut Funeral Home, Inc., has been serving the Gainesville, Alachua County, and North Central Florida areas. We stand on the principal of Charles S. Chestnut, Sr.; who believed in the “Code of Good Funeral Practice”.

“As Funeral Directors, our calling imposes upon us special responsibilities to those we serve and to the public at large. Chief among them is the obligation to inform the public so that everyone can make knowledgeable decisions about funerals and funeral directors”.

02/03/2026

Black History Highlights: Funeral Home Edition

Williams Funeral Home Inc. | Sumter, SC

Williams Funeral Home, the story begins in 1945 when a group of local leaders in Sumter, South Carolina came together to create a formal way to serve families in mourning. Originally incorporated as Tribe Union Funeral Home, the organization was led by Rev. John Wesley Williams, Sr. along with several founding members including his sons Rev. John Wesley Williams, Jr. and Rev. Frank E. Williams, Sr., and other ministers and community figures. In 1947, under Rev. John Wesley Williams, Sr. and his wife Mrs. Clara Peay Williams, the name was changed to Williams Funeral Home, reflecting the central role the Williams family played in its mission. Early operations were housed in a two-story building that included both the funeral home on the lower level and living quarters above, illustrating the founders’ deep commitment to the work and community.

Over the decades, Williams Funeral Home became more than just a business — it became a cornerstone of support and dignity for families during their most difficult times. After the untimely death of Rev. John Wesley Williams, Jr. in 1951, Rev. Frank E. Williams, Sr. continued the work, supported by his wife Magnolia Robinson Williams, who later became a licensed funeral director and notary public. Their dedication helped sustain the funeral home’s operations and guided it through years of growth and community engagement. The Williams family prioritized both professional service and personal care, with multiple family members becoming licensed funeral directors and embalmers, ensuring the business remained family-owned and operated for generations.

The legacy of Williams Funeral Home is deeply interwoven with the history of Sumter itself. For nearly eight decades, the funeral home has provided compassionate, culturally attuned services — offering traditional funerals, direct burials, and cremations tailored to families’ wishes. Its longstanding presence has offered continuity, comfort, and respect for countless households in Sumter and surrounding areas, rooted in the founders’ original vision of service, community, and care. By preserving both personal and communal histories through meaningful farewells, the Williams family has built a legacy that reflects resilience, service, and dedication to honoring lives lived.