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West Union, Ohio: William Lafferty Memorial Funeral and Carriage Collection

One of the best hearse museums around, in the Number One state for hearse production.

Lafferty Funeral Home

Address:
205 S. Cherry St., West Union, OH
Directions:
At Lafferty Funeral Home. Three blocks south of Hwy 41/Main St., on S. Cherry St., on the east side.
Phone:
937-544-2121
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
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Visitor Tips and News About William Lafferty Memorial Funeral and Carriage Collection

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Vintage hearse.

William Lafferty Memorial Funeral and Carriage Collection

Had a private tour from the owner -- and she gives an amazing tour, so call ahead because it's by appointment only. You'll need about an hour and a half, and it is wheelchair accessible.

[Stephen Francia, 10/02/2020]
William Lafferty Memorial Funeral and Carriage Collection

This collection of horse-drawn funeral vehicles was either owned by several generations of the Lafferty family, or acquired by William Lafferty, the fourth generation of the family business.

There are hearses for adults and one for children; an embalmer's buggy; a horse-drawn ambulance, a Brewster omnibus; and the first motorized ambulance used in Adams County, Ohio. These vehicles, along with other funeral items used by the family since 1848, are on display at no fee.

The collection is next to the Lafferty Funeral Home, which is now operated by the sixth generation of the Lafferty family. Hours are "by chance or appointment."

[Elaine Lafferty, 06/02/2015]

Oct. 2020: Photo added.

William Lafferty Memorial Funeral and Carriage Collection

One of the best hearse museums around. Ohio is one of the largest producers of hearses in the country.

[caleb, 08/30/2005]

Herses in the collection date back to 1848. Four generations of Laffertys worked the funeral business in Ohio, and apparently couldn't bear to throw any of their old vehicles away.


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