Finding a funeral home you can actually trust is stressful. Honestly, it’s one of the hardest calls you’ll ever have to make. If you are looking into Andrew J. McGann and Son Funeral Home in Chicago, you’ve likely noticed that things look a little different than they used to decades ago.
This isn't just another local business story. It’s a piece of South Side history.
The Legacy of Andrew J. McGann
Andrew J. McGann wasn't just a guy with a suit and a business card. He was a staple of the 18th District. Born in 1925, he was a Navy veteran who served in both World War II and the Korean War. When he came home, he didn't just sit around; he went to the Worsham College of Mortuary Science and built a legacy.
He served in the Illinois House of Representatives for a decade. People knew him. He was the kind of person who helped families through their worst days while simultaneously trying to fix policy in Springfield.
The funeral home he built became a landmark on the South Side. Specifically, the location at 10727 S. Pulaski Road became the hub for families in Mt. Greenwood, Beverly, and Oak Lawn.
What happened to the original business?
Things changed. Families grow, businesses evolve, and eventually, the independent era shifted. Today, Andrew J. McGann and Son Funeral Home is part of the Dignity Memorial network.
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Wait, what does that actually mean?
Basically, it means the local name stayed, but it’s now managed by SCI (Service Corporation International), a massive provider in the funeral industry. Some people love this because it brings standardized pricing and "transportability" of pre-arranged plans. Others miss the days when you could just walk in and talk to the owner directly without corporate paperwork.
It’s a trade-off. You get the scale of a big network, but you might lose that "neighborhood handshake" feel that Andrew Sr. was famous for.
Services and Current Offerings
If you're looking for help right now, here is the reality of what they do. They handle the full spectrum. You aren't just limited to a casket and a viewing.
- Traditional Burials: The old-school Chicago way. Viewings, a service, and a procession to a cemetery like Holy Sepulchre or Saint Mary.
- Cremation Services: They’ve adapted. It's not just a "box on a shelf" anymore; they do full "celebration of life" events where the urn is present but the vibe is more personal.
- Veteran Honors: Because of McGann’s own history, they take military honors seriously. Folding the flag, the playing of Taps—it's done right.
- Pre-Planning: This is the big one they push now. You pay today’s prices for a funeral that might happen 20 years from now.
Why the location matters
The Pulaski Road location is strategically placed. It’s right there on the border of Chicago and the suburbs.
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The building itself is massive. It was designed to handle multiple wakes at once without people tripping over each other. If you've ever been to a South Side wake on a Friday night, you know how crowded it gets. Having a parking lot that can actually fit cars is a huge deal in this part of town.
Addressing the "Devil's Den" confusion
Let’s clear something up. If you’ve been Googling and saw a name similar to Andrew McGann pop up in a news story about a crime in Arkansas (the Devil's Den State Park case), stop right there.
That is not the same person.
The Chicago funeral director Andrew J. McGann passed away in 2008. The person in those news reports is a completely different individual with a similar name. It’s a weird coincidence that has caused some confusion on social media, but there is zero connection between this historic Chicago institution and that criminal case.
Real Talk: What to expect on pricing
Funeral costs are no joke. In the Chicago area, a full-service burial can easily climb past $10,000 once you factor in the casket, the vault, and the cemetery fees.
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Andrew J. McGann and Son Funeral Home sits in that mid-to-high range. Because they are part of a national network, they are transparent about their General Price List (GPL). You have a right to see that list. Don't let anyone "bundle" you into things you don't need.
If you're on a tight budget, ask about direct cremation or "immediate burial" without the fancy viewing. They have to offer those options by law.
Actionable Steps for Families
If you are currently responsible for arrangements or just thinking ahead, don't wing it.
- Check the Paperwork: If your parents or grandparents had a "pre-need" plan with McGann years ago, find the physical contract. Even though the company changed hands, those contracts are usually honored by the Dignity Memorial network.
- Visit the Site: Don't just book over the phone. Walk the halls. See if the "vibe" feels right for your family.
- Ask About the "Travel Protection": One perk of the new corporate ownership is that if you move to Florida and have a plan at McGann in Chicago, you can often transfer that value to a partner funeral home down south.
- Get a Quote in Writing: Prices in the funeral industry can feel "fluid" sometimes. Get a line-item estimate before you sign anything.
Choosing a funeral home is about more than just a building. It's about who is going to be holding your hand when you're at your lowest. The McGann name still carries weight on the South Side, even if the corporate logo in the corner of the stationary is new.