![]() ![]() The original family name is often retained, but it is now part of a large conglomerate. Most family-run funeral homes are no longer privately owned but are now owned and operated by large corporations. Most are operated in large modern and comfortable facilities. Today’s funeral home operation has well outgrown the neighborhood storefront. No longer would the undertaker need to bring a portable embalming table to the house, or carry a heavy casket up three flights of stairs to a cramped front parlor. In later years, the funeral tended to move to the undertaker’s establishment, the “funeral home” where the needs of the funeral process could be better accommodated. Later they became a neighborhood fixture largely serving an ethnic or religious community and often in the shadow of a church or synagogue.Īs funerals, especially those of notable citizens required a larger facility or church, undertakers began building larger funeral parlors capable of holding more mourners than could be accommodated in a family home. William Schofield’s Flower Shop, located at 738 North State, directly across the street from Holy Name was the florist of choice for gangster funerals. Wells, embalmed and held services for many gangsters, including Dion O’Banion, Hymie Weiss, and Vincent “The Schemer” Drucci. In the 1920’s John Sbabaro’s Funeral Parlor at 738 N. For a large funeral, the undertaker often would rent funeral chairs from a small rental company. Folding chairs were provided by the undertaker to seat the family and friends. ![]() The casket was placed in the largest room, usually in the front parlor. Using portable equipment, hey would wash and embalm the body and then place the body in the casket for viewing. Although the undertaker had a small storefront, for many years their services were performed in the home. ![]()
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