Losing someone stinks. Honestly, there is no other way to put it. When that heavy fog of grief hits, the last thing anyone wants to do is navigate a clunky website or hunt for service times across five different social media platforms. In Chelmsford, Massachusetts, most people end up looking for blake chelmsford funeral home obituaries. It’s basically the local digital town square for saying goodbye.
But why does a specific funeral home’s listing matter more than a generic Facebook post?
It’s about the details. The "where" and the "when" that actually get people to the right pew at the right time. Blake Funeral Home, located right there at 24 Worthen Street, has been doing this since 1923. That is a lot of history packed into one building.
Finding Recent Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home Obituaries
If you’re looking for someone right now, you’ve probably noticed that the internet is a messy place. You search a name and get ten different "tribute" sites trying to sell you a plastic-wrapped flower arrangement.
The most reliable spot is the actual source.
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Paul A. Hardy, Jr. and the team at Blake keep a running archive that is surprisingly deep. For example, just this January 2026, the community has seen notices for locals like Thomas Peter Grondin, who spent thirty years with Verizon, and Susan Cline, a dedicated Air Force veteran and mathematician. These aren't just names; they are lives.
Why the Official Site is Better
- Timing: Obituaries usually hit the funeral home site before the newspaper.
- Accuracy: The family works directly with the directors (like Jennifer Hardy) to vet every word.
- The "Extras": You’ll find links to specific fundraisers—like the one for Thomas Grondin’s granddaughter’s blood cancer research—rather than generic "donate here" buttons.
The History Behind 24 Worthen Street
Most people don't know that Blake actually started in Lowell. W. Herbert Blake founded the place in the Highland section back in the twenties. It didn't even move to Chelmsford until 1956.
Think about that for a second.
The business survived the Great Depression, shifted through multiple owners (the Burkinshaws and Johnstons), and eventually landed in the hands of Paul Hardy in 2010. In 2017, they actually knocked down the old building to put up the 12,000-square-foot facility that stands there today. They managed to keep the business running while the new one was being built right next to it. That's a logistical nightmare that most people would have just given up on.
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What to Do When You Find an Obituary
Reading the obituary is just step one. If you're planning to attend a service at the Chelmsford location, there are some practical things to keep in mind that the obituary might not spell out.
Parking and Logistics
The new facility is big, but Worthen Street can get tight during a large wake. If you see a notice for a well-known community member, like a former teacher or a long-time local business owner, show up early.
Food and Gathering
Often, the obituary mentions a "reception to follow." In Chelmsford, that usually means a trip to the 110 Grill or perhaps a gathering at St. Mary Parish. Families often use local spots like the Establishment Restaurant or Princeton Station for bereavement meals.
Common Misconceptions About Local Obituaries
A lot of people think obituaries are just for the "old guard" of the town. Not true. You’ll see a cross-section of everyone from 90-year-old veterans to young people whose lives were cut far too short.
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Another big mistake? Thinking that if it’s not in the Boston Globe, it didn't happen. In this part of the Merrimack Valley, the blake chelmsford funeral home obituaries are the gold standard. They feed into the Lowell Sun and The Advocate, but the digital version on the Blake site is where you’ll find the guestbook.
Writing Your Own (or a Loved One’s) Notice
If you find yourself in the position of having to write one of these, don't overthink it. Paul and Jennifer Hardy are known for being pretty hands-on with this.
- Start with the basics: Full name, age, and date of passing.
- The "Vibe": Was the person a "gym rat" like Tom Grondin? Or a math whiz who loved bowling like Susan Cline? Put that in there.
- The Logistics: Clearly state if the service is private or public.
Honestly, the best obituaries feel like a conversation. They tell you that the person loved the Red Sox or that they "stole their husband from the state of Ohio" (shoutout to Susan Cline for that amazing line).
Actionable Next Steps
If you are currently searching for information on a recent passing or planning for the future, here is how to handle the process effectively:
- Check the Official Archive: Go directly to the Blake Funeral Home website rather than third-party aggregators to ensure the service times haven't changed.
- Sign Up for Alerts: The site allows you to get an email whenever a new notice is posted. It’s the easiest way to stay in the loop without constantly searching.
- Verify the Location: Remember that Paul Hardy also operates the Dracut Funeral Home. Double-check whether the service is at the 24 Worthen Street location or in Dracut to avoid showing up at the wrong chapel.
- Note the Donation Requests: Before buying flowers, check the end of the obituary. Many families now prefer donations to specific causes—like the American Red Cross or local scholarships—which are usually hyperlinked in the digital listing.