McDermott-Crockett & Associates Mortuary

McDermott-Crockett & Associates Mortuary, located at 2020 Chapala Street in Santa Barbara, California, is the city's oldest continuously operating funeral home, with a storied history dating back to its founding in 1906 by Charles Stephen McDermott and his wife, Hanora "Nora" Frances Hildegarde O'Leary. Originally established as McDermott Funeral Home at 21 West Anapamu Street, the business relocated to its current site in 2010. Its rich heritage is reflected in its stewardship of historical funeral records from earlier Santa Barbara providers—including L. E. Gagnier (1911–1971), J. C. Hanna (1950–1969), and Eppel & Kurtz—which were later donated to the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society, making the mortuary a key repository of the area's documented funeral history. The business is family-rooted: Thomas Joseph McDermott, born in Santa Barbara in 1915 and a graduate of the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, carried the practice into its second generation alongside his wife Louise, who served as organist. Following Thomas's death in 1969, Richard Crockett assumed leadership, and the firm adopted its hyphenated name in 1967.

The mortuary occupies a historic chapel originally designed and built in 1875 by architect Peter Barber for St. Mark's Episcopal Church, which originally stood at the corner of Micheltorena and Anacapa Streets. The building survived the devastating 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake structurally intact, and in 1932 the Seventh-day Adventist Church purchased and physically relocated it to its current site on Chapala Street. Recognized as a city landmark in 1982, the chapel is a rare and well-preserved local example of Gothic Revival architecture, featuring intricate redwood woodwork in steeply pitched gables, decorative cross-bracing, and original Gothic structural arches. The main hall seats approximately 175 people, and historic stained-glass windows produce a distinctive rose-colored illumination during afternoon light. The facility also includes reception and event space for catered gatherings, private viewing rooms, and identification viewing facilities. On-site amenities include a Tahara room and shomer availability for Jewish families, as well as preparation areas equipped for ritual needs such as incense burning and ritual washing. Spanish-language services are available on staff.

McDermott-Crockett & Associates offers a comprehensive range of services: burial services starting at $4,420, cremation services starting at $2,705, funeral and memorial services, pre-need planning (including prepaid cremation), reception and catered events, veterans services with military honors, ash scattering assistance, certified celebrant services, and alternative death care options such as memorial diamonds or human composting through partner providers. The mortuary does not operate an on-site crematory or cemetery and does not offer pet cremation. It has an online arrangement system, livestreaming, and a 24/7 answering service. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5:30 pm, with weekends by appointment. The establishment is wheelchair accessible, LGBTQ+ friendly, and offers free street and on-site parking. Families consistently praise the staff's flexibility, after-hours availability, and compassionate coordination—especially for veterans' honors—as reflected in its exceptional 4.9-star rating from 167 reviews on Google. In 1974, the Central Coast Memorial Society formalized an ongoing partnership with the mortuary to serve its regional membership, underscoring its deep community ties. As Santa Barbara's oldest funeral provider, McDermott-Crockett & Associates Mortuary continues to blend historic charm with modern, personalized care.