Bradford Funeral Home

H.L. Farmer & Sons Inc, located in Haverhill, MA, has been family-owned and operated for over 135 years, providing compassionate funeral and cremation services to support families during their time of need. Their dedicated staff is committed to creating meaningful ceremonies that honor the unique lives of those who have passed, ensuring a comforting experience for the bereaved. The funeral home offers a full range of services, including pre-planning options, grief healing resources, and personalized memorials, catering to the diverse needs of each family they serve. With a focus on superior service, H.L. Farmer & Sons Inc takes pride in lightening the burden of families as they navigate the grieving process. Generated from the website

Although personnel has changed over the years the oldest funeral home in Haverhill carries on a long and rich tradition, and continues to serve the families of greater Haverhill with compassion, caring, and honesty. In 1839 two brothers-in-law, John P. Randall and Joseph H. Cummings, opened a furniture business that made and sold burial coffins. Above the store they established J.H. Cummings, Furnishing Undertakers. In 1882 the business was relocated to a storefront on Main Street. The business was sold in 1886 to a stable owner, Fred G. Richards, who later became mayor of Haverhill, and a prominent banker, George H. Dole. They changed the name to Richards & Dole. Richards stand was the oldest in Haverhill, and one could rent Tally-Ho coaches, barges, hacks,carriages, and find accommodations for 100 horses. Richards died in 1895, and George H. Childs, who had been an employee for four years, bought into the business, and the name change to Dole & Childs Funeral Home. Earle W. Graffam became an active partner in the firm upon his return from World War 1. After Childs & Dole passed away a corporation was formed in 1923, and George L. Riley joined Graffam in the business the following year. After nearly a century of service to greater Haverhill,Graffam recognized that a more modern approach to the funeral business was needed. In the past storefront funeral parlors had served the public well since wakes and funeral services were generally held in the home. Now, with more people living in apartments and smaller quarters, the new concept of the funeral home, where all services could be combined under one roof, was gaining in popularity. In 1932 Dole & Childs acquired the property at 148 Main Street from the Knights of Columbus. This Victorian Stick-style home was built in 1879. The woodwork and the staircase were carved by Italian artisans imported for the project. The first funeral in a funeral home in Haverhill was held on March 15, 1933. Following the death of Graffam, and Riley?s retirement, the firm was now headed by Wesley J. Shaw, Jr., who joined the firm before World War 11, and H. Lee Powell. Currently the business, Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, is operated by Wesley?s son David E. Shaw.

Bradford Funeral Home, located in Haverhill, MA, has been a trusted provider of funeral services for generations, dedicated to honoring the lives of those who have passed. They offer a range of services including traditional funerals, veteran honors, and personalized memorials, ensuring that each tribute is meaningful and reflective of the individual’s life. In addition to their immediate services, Bradford Funeral Home emphasizes the importance of pre-planning and grief support, providing resources to help families navigate the complexities of loss. Their commitment to compassionate care and community support makes them a respected choice for families in need during difficult times. Generated from the website