Father-son funeral directors continue family tradition

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - Following in the footsteps of his father, Morgan G. Mitchell, co-director of Mitchell Funeral Home in Easthampton, has taken a seat on the state's Board of Funeral Directors.

Mitchell, 48, of Easthampton, said after he saw his father, Walter B. Mitchell, serve two terms at the post in the 1970's, joining the board became a lifelong goal.

"When your father does something important like that you like to follow in his footsteps, and being appointed today is definitely nice," Mitchell said Friday on the occasion of his swearing-in to the post in Hampshire Superior Court.

"There were a certainly a lot of individuals who served on the board in between us," said Mitchell. "But it is nice to keep the family tradition going."

Mitchell is a fourth-generation funeral director - his family has owned and operated their Park Street funeral home since 1893. Being appointed to the state board is a great honor, as well as a big responsibility, meaning that he will be responsible for overseeing all funeral services licensed in Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin and Berskhire counties.

Applauding Mitchell's appointment, and his more than 30 years of professional experience, were state Rep. John Scibak, D-South Hadley, Hampshire Register of Probate David Sullivan, and state Sen. Michael Knapik, R-Westfield.

The Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers is a five-member board comprised of four in-state funeral directors and one lay person. Board members, appointed by the Governor, are charged with overseeing the licensing of funeral service professionals and their apprentices.

Members of the board are also responsible for inspecting the facilities of licensed embalmers and funeral directors, making sure they follow all health-related rules set forth by local health departments, and responding to complaints from residents of their part of the state.

"We look in on any complaint made by citizens about our local funeral homes and we are the ones who investigate those claims," Mitchell said.

Mitchell, who lives in Easthampton with his wife Kathleen and two children, Lochlyn and Taylor, said he expects having a past board member in the family will be helpful during his first term.

"He will absolutely be a big help," Mitchell said. "I will always have my father to go to."

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.