Our History
What Makes Us Unique
Gerald A. Smith graduated from the Canadian School of Embalming in 1938. He married Eleanor J. Neice, (a Grace Grad RN) August 11, 1945. They founded our funeral home in 1945 in a home purchased from Warren F. Hendershot. The original owner and presumed builder, Gordon Ferriss built the home in the late 1890's.
The home was remodeled into a funeral home and established Essex County's first 24 hour ambulance service outside the City of Windsor. In 1962 a new chapel and visiting areas were added and completely renovated in 2010-12, to better serve our community.
The ambulance service ceased operation December 31, 2008, when the County of Essex had taken the service over. This was the last funeral home and ambulance service operated in Ontario.
Although there are many decisions you may have to make, we assure you that we will guide you through the entire process every step of the way. We promise to help you:
- Design the most fitting memorial or funeral service to honour their memory and pay tribute to their life achievements and experiences.
- Select the most appropriate products, including a casket, burial vault, cremation urn, cemetery or mausoleum, to fit your budget and suit your needs and desires.
- Write a fitting obituary to honour your loved one’s life experiences and social connections.
- Assist in the publication of the obituary in the newspapers of your choice.
- Create a Book of Memories™, a beautiful, permanent online memorial, where you and your friends can build a legacy of memories by archiving treasured photos and memories.
- Welcome your family and friends to our funeral home for your planned services, including a viewing, visitation, funeral or memorial service.
- Make all arrangements with regard to the services whether they are held at your place of worship, our funeral home, cemetery, or alternate gathering place.
- Provide you with beautiful funeral print materials, including memorial folders, prayer cards and book marks. We also offer personalized note cards for you to acknowledge the emotional support you received from friends, co-workers and community members.
- Provide an elegant hearse and funeral cars, as well as arrange for escorts.
- Help in the selection and on-site arrangement of floral tributes.
- Provide access to grief education and support materials, and referrals to counselling services.
- Prepare all paperwork, including vital record statistics, permits, filing and obtaining death certificates, and assistance with life insurance, veteran’s benefits and Canada Pension Death Benefit and Survivors Claims.
