E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home, Inc.

E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home, Inc., located at 2309 Broad Avenue in Altoona, Pennsylvania, has been a cornerstone of compassionate care in the community for well over a century. The funeral home traces its origins to the Lafferty and Tobias Funeral Home, which later became the Lafferty Funeral Home before being renamed E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home. Today, it is proudly owned and operated by the Stevens family, a name synonymous with integrity and dedication in funeral service for more than 130 years. Joseph J. Stevens III serves as supervisor, overseeing daily operations and ensuring that every family receives personalized, respectful attention.

The funeral home offers a full range of services to meet diverse needs, including traditional burial services and cremation options. For families choosing cremation, the funeral home provides the flexibility to hold visitations and funeral services with the remains present, allowing for a meaningful tribute before cremation. The facility features a grand foyer that warmly welcomes family and friends to pay their respects, along with spacious visitation rooms designed for comfort and privacy. In an on-site selection room, clients can choose caskets, vaults, urns, and other funeral artifacts with the convenience of private consultation.

Committed to accessibility, E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home is wheelchair accessible, with accessible entrances and parking available. On-site parking ensures convenience for all visitors. Additionally, the funeral home offers financial assistance to help families during their time of need, reflecting a deep understanding of the emotional and financial burdens that accompany loss.

The staff encourages families to reach out in person or by phone, and they have created an online obituary section where friends can send condolences, share memories, and celebrate lives. The funeral home also provides grief support resources, including a weekly email series titled "52 Weeks of Grief & Healing," to offer ongoing encouragement and guidance through the recovery process. Testimonials are welcomed as a way to continually improve service.

E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home remains dedicated to the values of loyalty, honesty, integrity, and character instilled by its predecessors. These principles guide every interaction, ensuring that each family is treated with the utmost respect and compassion. The funeral home is an integral part of the Altoona community, and its team is committed to serving with empathy and professionalism.