Finding a funeral home isn't exactly a fun Saturday afternoon activity. Usually, you’re here because something heavy happened, or you’re trying to be the "responsible one" and plan ahead so your kids don't have to guess what you wanted while they’re grieving. If you’ve spent any time in Meriden, you’ve likely driven past that yellow brick building at 88 East Main Street. It’s a landmark. But JJ Ferry Funeral Home Meriden CT—formally known as John J. Ferry & Sons—is a lot more than just a local business; it’s a weirdly fascinating piece of Connecticut history that’s managed to stay family-owned for over 135 years.
Most people think funeral homes are all basically the same. They aren't. In an era where private equity firms are quietly buying up "mom and pop" mortuaries across the country, finding a place that’s on its fifth generation of the same family is actually pretty rare.
The Livery Stable Origins
History is kinda wild. Back in 1890, John J. Ferry wasn’t just a "funeral director." That job didn't really exist in the way we think of it today. He was a liveryman. He had horses and carriages. In those days, if you needed a ride to a wedding or a fancy party, you called the guy with the horses. If someone died, you also called the guy with the horses, because he was the only one who could haul the casket to the cemetery.
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Around 1910, John built a massive brick stable at 30 Pratt Street. It’s still there, tucked behind the current building. Eventually, his sons, Thomas L. Ferry, Sr. and William A. Ferry, joined the business. Thomas actually went to the Dodge Mortuary School in Boston—one of the earliest formal schools for this stuff—and became a licensed embalmer in 1913.
Everything changed in 1935.
That was the height of the Great Depression. While most businesses were folding, Thomas Sr. bought Dr. Harold L. Meeks’ house on East Main Street. He built an addition, connected it to the old stable, and basically created the footprint of the funeral home people use today.
Why the "Ferry Method" Actually Matters
You’ve probably heard people say, "They treat you like family." It’s a cliché. Honestly, it's usually marketing fluff. But there’s a nuance at Ferry that comes from a genuine obsession with the craft. John J. Ferry wasn't just a businessman; he was an inventor.
He actually held U.S. patents. He invented a portable candelabrum. Why? Because back then, most funerals happened in the living room of the deceased's house. He needed something that could be taken apart, moved into a small Victorian parlor, and put back together quickly. He also patented improvements for casket handles.
This spirit of "figuring it out" still hangs around the place. Today, the 5th generation is running things. Patrick Ferry, for instance, didn't start in the family business. He was a CPA at KPMG and worked in finance for a decade before deciding to go back to school for mortuary science in 2013. That’s a specific kind of dedication—leaving a high-level corporate career to come back to the family shop in Meriden.
What to Actually Expect (The Practical Stuff)
If you’re looking into JJ Ferry Funeral Home Meriden CT because you need to plan a service, here is the brass tacks version of how they operate. They aren't a "one-size-fits-all" shop.
- Customization is big. They handle traditional Catholic wakes (which are still very common in Meriden) but also do "celebrations of life" that look more like a party than a funeral.
- The Building. It’s a 1937 yellow brick structure. It feels old-school and dignified, but they’ve modernized the interior so it doesn’t feel like a museum.
- Cremation. A lot of people think old-school funeral homes hate cremation. That’s not true here. They handle direct cremations, cremations with a viewing, or memorial services where the urn is present.
- Veteran Services. This is a major focus for them. They handle the paperwork for the DD-214, coordinate with the military for honors, and deal with the state veterans' cemetery in Middletown.
The "Corporate" vs. "Independent" Debate
Let’s talk about something most people don't know. A lot of funeral homes in Connecticut have been bought by huge corporations like SCI (Service Corporation International). They keep the original family name on the sign because they know people trust it. You think you’re dealing with the local family, but your check is going to a headquarters in Houston.
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Ferry is one of the holdouts. They are members of the Order of the Golden Rule, which is an invitation-only group for independent funeral homes. To stay in, you have to prove you’re meeting certain ethical standards and actually staying involved in the local community. It’s a way of signaling that they aren't owned by a faceless conglomerate.
Pre-Planning: Is it a Scam?
People ask this all the time. "Are they just trying to get my money early?"
Honestly, pre-planning is mostly about locking in prices. Inflation hits the funeral industry just like it hits eggs and gas. If you pay for a service in 2026, you’re usually protected if those same services cost double in 2040. At Ferry, they use a specific checklist that covers everything from the big stuff (burial vs. cremation) to the tiny details like what music you want and which photos should be in the slideshow.
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What You Need to Get Started:
- Vital Stats: You'll need the social security number, parent's names (including mother's maiden name), and education level.
- Military Records: If the person was a veteran, find that discharge paper (DD-214) now. Don't wait.
- Clergy/Officiant: Do you want a priest from St. Rose or a non-religious celebrant?
- The "Vibe": Do you want a formal visitation with an open casket, or just a small gathering at the graveside?
Moving Forward
If you are dealing with a loss right now, the first step is a phone call. They have staff available 24/7 because, well, death doesn't happen on a 9-to-5 schedule. If you’re just researching for the future, the best move is to request a "General Price List." By law, funeral homes have to give this to you. It prevents "sticker shock" and lets you compare costs without the emotional pressure of a recent death.
Take a drive past the building on East Main. Look at the architecture. It’s been a part of the Meriden landscape since the town was a hub of silver manufacturing. Whether you use them or not, it's worth acknowledging a business that has survived the Depression, two World Wars, and the rise of corporate takeovers just by staying in the family.
Actionable Steps
- Locate the DD-214 if you’re planning for a veteran; it’s the one document you absolutely cannot skip.
- Request a GPL (General Price List) from the funeral home to understand the current costs of various service packages.
- Set up a brief consultation to walk through the building; the "feel" of a space is often the deciding factor for families during a difficult time.
- Update your will or trust to include your specific funeral preferences so there's no confusion later.