We specialize in prearranged funeral arrangements

As many neighborhood funeral homes closed their doors, the father and son team began to serve a greater range of ethnicities and religions, eventually becoming the most trusted choice in funeral homes. Eventually the firm expanded to Scranton with the purchase of the Durkan-Cuff-Kearney Funeral Home over five decades ago. A monument company (Kearney Monument Co.), a florist shop (Petals Floral Boutique), an event/memorial venue space (The Banks – a waterfront venue) and a restaurant (The Refinery) were each added to the business to best serve families in a comprehensive and seamless manor while the third generation, Kevin P. Kearney, extended the legacy upon his Dad’s retirement with a fresh approach resulting in unrivaled service. The funeral homes jointly serve the most families annually in Northeastern Pennsylvania, but despite the rapid growth the business still runs by the exact ideals in which it was established nearly seven decades ago: care, compassion, kindness and dignified service.

“From arranging an aerial flyover for the deceased pilot to orchestrating the departed’s favorite band to play while graveside, we have been able to honor a family’s loved one in just about every way possible. I’m passionate about what I do, and that passion transcends to each and every member of our team. We all have worked hard to become the first funeral home in the country to have a standalone monument company, florist shop and event venue, to better serve your needs. Annually serving the most families in our area is something we’re proud of, but we’re even more proud of the trust and loyalty we continue to build each day.” -Kevin P. Kearney.

Kearney Funeral Home History

The Old Forge location was started in 1954 by the late Thomas P. Kearney (1925-1994). After honorably serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, the help of the government’s G.I. Bill coupled with a modest loan from his coal miner father, the late WWI Army Veteran Thomas J. Kearney (1898-1981), the Old Forge funeral home was humbly established then exactly where it stands today, at 517 North Main Street in Old Forge, on the border both Old Forge and Taylor boroughs. With his wife, the former Janice Boyd (1926-1995) by his side, renovations were made and the funeral home opened for business.

Families served quickly became lifelong friends and the business grew to a point that when Thomas’ youngest son, Kevin K. Kearney, graduated from Simmons Institute of Mortuary Science of Syracuse, N.Y., and earned his license, he stepped right in. Kevin’s genuineness, compassion, kindness and work ethic led to the business flourishing to the point where additional funeral directors were hired to best serve families while ensuring all work of the trade was done within and never outsourced. His wife and former local business owner, Jemille Hazzouri Kearney, has also served as an intricate part of the business and the community. Kevin’s was still an active member of the community, in countless clubs and organizations and most important to him, a pillar of St. Patrick’s Parish in West Scranton, until his passing on December 10, 2018. He left a tremendous impact on his profession as well as the thousands of families he cared for during his four-decade career..

In 1979, Tom and Kevin acquired the former Durkan-Cuff Funeral Home of West Scranton, Pennsylvania, from John Cuff, a licensed Funeral Director and son-in-law of the former owner, Margaret Durkan, also a licensed Funeral Director and daughter of the former owner. The Scranton operation was started in 1895 by the late Honorable John F. Durkan, former Scranton City Mayor. Durkan Funeral Home operated funeral homes in three separate locations: West Scranton, Central City Scranton and its third location in New York City. The latter two locations were closed some years before the Kearney’s purchase.

The Kearney Monument Company of Taylor opened in 1984. It’s grown into the fifth-largest monument dealer in the region, specializing in customized and unique memorials of all sizes, shapes, and colors.

In 2005, after attending both Villanova University and the University of Scranton, the third generation of Kearney’s, Kevin P. Kearney, joined the firms after graduation from his father’s alma mater, Simmons. He is currently the Supervisor of the Scranton location along with his affiliation with the Old Forge Funeral Home. Upon his father’s retirement in 2012, Kevin took over daily operations as corporate president. He’s made every effort to piece together the best team around him to help serve families. This isn’t a business to him nor to his staff and a family will quickly realize that. Adding the ultra-talented funeral director Timothy Kramer to the firms in 2013 only bolstered the service level. Tim’s Duryea roots and Madison Twp. residence with longtime companion Colleen McGuire have only helped to expand the area of families served.

Kevin lives in West Pittston with his wife and local business owner, the former Natalie Wilchinski of Laflin. Their son, Greyson, was born on November 15, 2016. A board member of the Boys and Girls Club of NEPA, a fixture of the Moosic Youth Center and a member of both Divine Mercy and Prince of Peace Parishes, Kevin remains active in the community.

In 2018, Petals Floral Design and Gift Boutique opened in downtown Pittston. The funeral homes now create their own flowers within, ensuring the most amazing flowers for your amazing loved one.

Above it all is the Kearney family’s appreciation to the entire community for its support, loyalty, and friendship throughout the years. The funeral homes would not exist without it. It’s the thing that meant most to Kevin K., as it does to Kevin P.