Draper Mortuary

Draper Mortuary, located at 811 North Mountain Avenue in Ontario, California, has been a cornerstone of the community for over 125 years. Founded in 1898 by James Barnum Draper, the mortuary has a rich history intertwined with the development of Ontario itself. J.B. Draper, a tailor by trade and one of the city's original founders, initially purchased the existing funeral parlor from Diebert and Geaser after the owner's death. Lacking sufficient capital, he was able to acquire the business thanks to loans from community members who respected him deeply. This spirit of trust and service has defined Draper Mortuary ever since.

The funeral home remained under continuous Draper family ownership and management for nearly a century until it joined the Service Corporation International (SCI) network in 1996, becoming a proud member of the Dignity Memorial brand. This affiliation allows Draper Mortuary to combine its rich local heritage with the resources and reliability of the largest funeral and cremation provider in North America.

Over the years, Draper Mortuary has evolved with the times. In 1911, J.B. built a new modern funeral parlor in downtown Ontario. The firm was incorporated in California as the J.B. Draper Co. in 1929. Leadership passed through generations: from J.B. to his son Fred, then to Fred's son Newman, and finally to Newman's son James (Jim) Draper, who joined the firm in 1970 and served as manager at the time of acquisition. In 1962, under Newman's leadership, the current facility was built on Mountain Avenue, immediately adjacent to Bellevue Memorial Park, the community's only cemetery.

Today, Draper Mortuary offers a wide range of services to meet the diverse needs of families. Whether families prefer a traditional funeral, a cremation, or a highly personalized memorial service, the experienced team is dedicated to creating meaningful and unique experiences. The facility features two beautiful chapels: the Draper Memorial Chapel, which can seat up to 200 guests, and the more intimate Pearl Chapel, accommodating up to 50 people. A spacious reception hall provides seating for 80 guests, allowing families to gather and share memories. For evening services, refreshments can be provided upon request. The mortuary is fully accessible with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot, ensuring all guests are accommodated.

As a Dignity Memorial provider, Draper Mortuary offers a 100% service guarantee, 24/7 availability with real people answering the phone, and a commitment to uncompromised quality. Families can also take advantage of pre-planning options, including prepaid funeral plans with up to 10% savings and low-interest payment plans. The mortuary publishes itemized price lists for funeral and cremation services, burial merchandise, and cremation merchandise, ensuring transparency. With a stellar 4.7-star rating on Google based on over 227 reviews and a 4.8-star rating on its own website from over 840 families, Draper Mortuary continues to uphold the legacy of compassionate, professional service established by its founder over a century ago. The team is available around the clock to assist with immediate needs or to help plan for the future, providing guidance during one of life's most challenging times.