About Us
About Us
The story of Edwards Memorial Funeral Home is deeply woven into the fabric of the Greater Milford community. Founded in 1882 by cousins James B. Edwards and Michael W. Edwards, the business began alongside their local livery and stable. In those early days, before formal chapel facilities existed, the family served neighbors directly within their own residences, holding wakes and services at home while maintaining a welcoming storefront office on Main Street. Following Michael’s passing in 1904, James assumed sole leadership and later opened the area's first dedicated funeral facility on Pearl Street in the late 1920s.
In 1925, the second generation stepped forward when James’s son, Joseph F. Edwards, returned home to assist his ailing father after graduating from Holy Cross College. Upon James's passing in 1930, Joseph took the helm, dedicatedly upholding the family tradition of compassionate care for over six decades until his passing in 1992.
The legacy continued into the third generation during the mid-1970s when Joseph’s sons, James D. Edwards and Joseph F. Edwards Jr., joined the family calling. Both brothers earned degrees from Holy Cross College and completed their professional training at the New England Institute of Anatomy & Applied Sciences in Boston. Following James’s retirement in 2014, Joseph F. Edwards Jr. became the sole caretaker of the home. Today, as a lifelong Milford resident, Joseph proudly carries this mantle. Though the eras have changed since 1882, our core devotion remains untouched, and we are honored to bring comfort, dignity, and gentle guidance to the families of Greater Milford.
