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When you’re driving down Farmington Avenue in New Britain, the landscape is a mix of the old industrial grit and the quiet, tree-lined residential shifts that define this part of Connecticut. Right there, at 444 Farmington Avenue, stands a building that basically everyone in town knows. The New Britain Memorial & Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home isn't just a business; it’s a repository of the city's history.
Honestly, when people search for new britain memorial & donald d sagarino funeral home obituaries, they aren't just looking for dates and times. They’re looking for a way to say goodbye to the neighbor who lived on the third floor for forty years or the guy who ran the local deli. In a town like "Hard Hittin' New Britain," those connections run deep.
What’s the Story Behind the Name?
It’s a mouthful, right? But the history is actually pretty cool. Originally, this place was known as the Blogoslowski Funeral Home, dating way back to 1900. It served the massive Polish community that helped build this city. Later, Donald D. Sagarino and his wife Kay expanded the legacy. They were staples in the community. Donald was a licensed director who, along with Kay, really focused on the Italian families growing in the area.
They eventually moved operations to the current spot on Farmington Avenue to keep up with the demand. Today, it’s part of the Dignity Memorial network, which is a huge national group, but the "Sagarino" name stays on the sign because locals trust it. You can't just slap a corporate logo on a New Britain institution and expect people to stay—you've gotta keep that personal touch.
How to Actually Find the Latest Obituaries
Finding a specific notice shouldn't be a scavenger hunt, but sometimes the internet makes it feel that way. If you’re looking for someone specifically handled by this home, you have a few reliable paths:
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- The Official Website: Since they are part of Dignity Memorial, their local landing page has a dedicated "Obituaries" section. It's usually the most up-to-date.
- The New Britain Herald: This is the local heartbeat. Most families still choose to run a formal notice here. In fact, a recent entry for Maryann Biella, who passed in early January 2026, was specifically listed through the Sagarino home in the Herald’s records.
- Legacy.com: This is the giant aggregator. It’s great if you’re looking for someone from a few months ago because the search filters are a bit more robust than the standard funeral home site.
Kinda interestingly, the home handles a lot of the Polish and Italian heritage services that are so specific to our neck of the woods. You’ll often see mentions of "Little Poland" or specific parishes like St. Ann’s Church in these write-ups.
What Services Are They Actually Running?
People often think a funeral home is just about the viewing, but Sagarino has pivoted quite a bit lately. They are one of the only spots in the immediate area with a full-blown event center and catering hall right on site. It fits about 90 people.
Think about that for a second. Instead of everyone awkwardly trying to find a restaurant or piling into a small living room after a service, you basically just walk down the hall. They do the whole "Life Well Celebrated" thing, which is fancy talk for "we can play 80s rock and have a cupcake tower if that’s what your uncle wanted."
Common Costs and Expectations
Let’s talk money, because nobody likes to, but you’ve gotta know. Based on current market data for 2026 in Hartford County:
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- Traditional Burials: Often start around $13,000 when you factor in the casket and professional fees.
- Cremation Services: A full service with cremation is usually closer to $10,000, while a direct cremation (no service) might be around $2,700.
- The Little Stuff: Embalming usually runs about $1,300, and just using the facilities for a viewing is roughly $600.
It’s expensive. There’s no sugar-coating it. But the staff there—people often mention names like Carolyn and Christopher in reviews—are known for walking families through the insurance and Social Security paperwork, which is a massive headache when you're grieving.
Why This Specific Home Still Stands Out
New Britain has a lot of options. You’ve got Erickson-Hansen, Duksa Family over on Burritt Street, and Luddy & Peterson. So why Sagarino?
It’s mostly about the veterans. They are incredibly active with local VFW posts and have a specific process for military honors. If you’ve ever seen a processional head down towards the veterans' memorial stadium, there’s a good chance it started at 444 Farmington Ave. They also handle a lot of the logistical nightmares, like filing for death certificates and securing burial permits, which sounds simple until you’re the one trying to do it at 9:00 AM on a Monday.
A Quick Tip for Families
If you’re the one writing the obituary for the New Britain Memorial & Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, don’t just stick to the facts. The best notices in the Herald are the ones that mention the person's favorite tag sale spot or their secret sauce recipe. Those are the stories that make people stop scrolling.
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Moving Forward With Arrangements
If you are currently looking for a specific obituary or need to start the planning process, your first move is to call them directly at (860) 229-0444. They are staffed 24/7, so a real person usually picks up the phone.
For those just trying to find a service time, check the "Recent Obituaries" tab on the Dignity Memorial New Britain page first. It’s faster than waiting for the paper to hit the driveway. If you're attending a service there, remember that the parking lot can get tight for big crowds, so try to arrive at least fifteen minutes early.
To get started with an online memorial or to view current listings, visit the official New Britain Memorial & Donald D. Sagarino portal or check the New Britain Herald's digital obituary section, which is updated daily by 10:00 AM.