Devito Funeral Homes & Cremation

Devito Funeral Homes & Cremation, located at 761 Mount Auburn Street in Watertown, Massachusetts, is a distinguished family-owned funeral home that has served the Greater Boston area for nearly a century. With a perfect 5-star rating from 62 reviews on Google and an additional 35 reviews on Legacy.com, the firm is renowned for its compassionate, personalized care and deep-rooted community ties.

The history of Devito Funeral Homes began on May 1, 1928, when founder Alexander Devito entered the funeral business at its original East Cambridge location. Alexander immigrated from Tufo, Avellino, Italy in 1912 and soon enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Army Medical Corps during World War I. In 1918, he worked at Fort Devens General Hospital assisting during the influenza outbreak, an experience that led him to become a full-fledged undertaker. In 1930, the Devito Funeral Service became one of the first to establish a funeral home facility in the greater Boston area, purchasing the Hurley estate at 392 Cambridge Street in East Cambridge.

After World War II, Alexander's sons Edward and Alfred Devito joined the business. The family soon expanded to Watertown, opening a second funeral home at 761 Mount Auburn Street. In 1960, a large addition transformed the building into one of the largest funeral homes in the region, and later renovations added a wheelchair-accessible entrance, on-site parking, and modern amenities. The third generation—Alfred M. Devito Jr. and John F. Devito—joined and expanded the firm to Arlington, Massachusetts in 1983, purchasing and renovating the Fessenden home site at 1145 Massachusetts Avenue. The fourth generation, John and Jonathan, became licensed funeral directors in 2011, continuing the family legacy. In 2009, the Devito family was entrusted with the business of Saville and Grannan Funeral Home and Cremation Service, preserving that heritage at the Arlington location.

Devito Funeral Homes offers comprehensive services tailored to honor each life uniquely. These include traditional funeral services, cremation services, memorial ceremonies, graveside services, veterans services, and pre-planning options with prepayment plans and financial assistance. The staff handles all logistics, paperwork, and coordination with cemeteries, clergy, and vendors, ensuring families can focus on grieving and remembrance. The facility features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking, and all service spaces have been refurbished with new carpet and furniture to maintain a comfortable, modern atmosphere.

The community consistently praises Devito for its responsiveness, respect, and genuine compassion. Reviews highlight how the team guides families through difficult moments with patience and kindness, even checking in after the service to offer support. Whether for immediate needs or pre-arrangement, Devito Funeral Homes & Cremation stands as a trusted partner in honoring loved ones with dignity and care.