Our History
We have 126 years of funeral service history in the Wyoming Valley. It is our family history of caring for our guest families from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession dedicated to superior guest family service, have the highest integrity, and offer quality and value to them.
When we sit down with a guest family, we have one goal: to create a fitting, memorable, and affordable service for the person they love. We offer a wide variety of products, flexible services, and a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design a funeral or memorial service that suits your needs now and in the future. Guest families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace of mind because, in coming to us, they have done their best to honor the person they love.
In 1898, the United States was at war with Spain, New York City's five boroughs were merged, neon was discovered, the first automobile was sold, and, while much less significant, M.J. McLaughlin began operating as an Undertaker in Wilkes-Barre. He quickly became a leader in the profession and provided first-class service to families who called upon him in their time of need.
In the first year of operation, M.J. McLaughlin occupied three locations in the first two blocks of East Northampton Street; these were essentially stables for horses, wagons, and hearses. On December 17, 1899, he leased the building immediately north of the Church of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception on South Washington Street and purchased it the following year. M.J. remodeled and expanded this location three times in the subsequent decades to meet the demands of the growing and changing business and his growing family. He introduced innovations such as the first automobile hearse in the Wyoming Valley to the public and began offering parlors in his residence for services during this period.
The business took a significant step forward with the incorporation of M.J. McLaughlin Company in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1928 after his sons joined him as funeral directors. In 1935, they opened the first purpose-built funeral service facility in the area, a testament to their commitment to exceptional service. This facility, which remains our principal business location today, has been complemented by branch offices in the East End section of Wilkes-Barre, Ashley, and Kingston over the years.
Succeeding generations have maintained that spirit of ingenuity established by our founder over many years. Our needs have changed with the needs of our guest families, especially over the past twenty-five years, as technology has become an integral part of our guest family services.
Today, as a fourth-generation family-owned and operated business, we stand at the forefront of funeral service. Our unwavering commitment to acquiring and maintaining the finest technological advances in our field ensures we can offer our guest families unparalleled service and state-of-the-art facilities. This commitment also allows us to provide a wide range of customizable options for your life celebration events, striving to deliver the best value in funeral service in the area.
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CHOOSE PEOPLE WHO CARE
CHOOSE THE BEST VALUE FOR WHAT YOU SPEND
YOU WILL NEVER REGRET CHOOSING QUALITY