McDermott Funeral Home, Inc., of McKees Rocks and Kennedy Township of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, is now celebrating 125 years of community service.

Back in 1886, Bernard McDermott (Pa. Lic 725) and his brother, Patrick, established their funeral home in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. Prior to entering the "Practice of Undertaking", the McDermott brothers were involved in heavy hauling, via horse and wagon.

Bernard (1854-1935) and his brother opened a branch in McKees Rocks in 1905, locating on what is today Island Avenue. After Chartiers Avenue was raised above creek level, the brothers moved their business into a new building located at 531 Chartiers Avenue, then a part of the active business district.

Following the death of Patrick McDermott in 1917, Bernard E. McDermott (1894-1980) (Pa. Lic 4439), became active in the business with his father, Bernard. This father-son partnership continued until the death of the senior Bernard McDermott in 1935.

Bernard E. McDermott operated the funeral home between 1935 and 1952 as a sole proprietorship. In 1942, a new funeral home was constructed at 1225 Chartiers Avenue, which continues to be the main location for the McDermott operations. In 1953, only eleven years after the new building was occupied, a major addition was completed, consisting of a larger viewing room and chapel.

Then in 1952, Bernard E. "Barney" McDermott made his sons, Bernard William. McDermott (1920 -)(Pa. Lic 7493) and Patrick L. McDermott partners in the business. In order to better serve their growing community, the partnership purchased property in the Kennedy Township of Coraopolis, and opened their branch funeral home located at 334 Forest Grove Road.

Bernard E. "Barney" McDermott died in 1980, the same year the business was incorporated. Bernard William "Bill" and his brother, Patrick L. continued the operations until Pat's untimely death in 1986.

In 1987 the Kennedy location was renovated and nearly doubled in floor space. Again in 2003, an addition was completed on the east side of the building, as well as renovations to the rest of the building. Bernard William "Bill" McDermott passed away in 2005, after 60+ years of service to his Family Business. Patricia K. McDermott (Pa Lic 013911L) joined the family business in 1991 Sadly in January 2010 she passed away unexpectedly. Her daughter Caroline Keefe-McDermott is now a 5th generation Funeral Director with the Family Business.