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Funeral home in Wakefield, MA

William T McDonald Inc

19 Yale Avenue, Wakefield, MA 01880

About William T McDonald Inc

  • Generational family ownership since 1952, founded by Bill McDonald Sr., who was the youngest licensed funeral director in Massachusetts at the time.
  • Recent merger with Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home, expanding their service area and continuing a local legacy under the McDonald-Finnegan-Anderson Funeral Home name.
  • Comprehensive grief support resources, including specialized guidance for children and teens, and free access to the GriefPlan Video Program by Dr. Jason Troyer.
  • Deep community involvement through extensive affiliations with local organizations and clubs in Wakefield and surrounding towns.
  • Offers a wide range of personalized services, including Affirmation of Life and Celebration of Life services, alongside traditional options.
  • Provides pre-planning services with an online form available in both English and Spanish.

History

  1. 1949Bill Sr. graduated from New England Institute.
  2. 1952Bill Sr. became the youngest licensed funeral director in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and founded the family-owned business.
  3. 2013William T. McDonald, Founder, passed away on April 26.

Staff

  • William T. McDonaldFounder
  • Bill McDonald Jr.Funeral Director
  • David McDonaldFuneral Director

From mcdonaldfs.com, the home's own website.

Prices

Prices on file for William T McDonald Inc. Confirm when you call.

Direct cremation$3,170
Memorial service$5,020

Direct cremation at William T McDonald Inc is $505 above the Massachusetts median of $2,665 (303 Massachusetts homes with a price).

Services

  • Cremation
  • Traditional funeral
  • Burial
  • Graveside service
  • Memorial service
  • Pre-planning

Not listed: Direct cremation, Green burial, Veterans services, Grief support and Shipping and out-of-town transfers. Ask if you need one.

Also offered

  • Columbarium
  • Urn scattering
  • Embalming
  • Casketing
  • Cosmetology
  • Viewing
  • Affirmation of life service

Facilities

  • On-site chapel
Faith traditions
Christian (Catholic)
Languages
English and Spanish

Hours

24/7Always Available

From William T McDonald Inc's website

What is the purpose of a funeral?

A funeral or memorial service provides an opportunity for the living to show respect for the deceased and pay tribute to their life. It provides a framework to freely and openly express our beliefs, feelings, and thoughts about the death of our loved one. It gives us permission to grieve our loss, share in solidarity, and gain strength from others who are experiencing the same loss.

What are the choices for funeral services?

The four main types of funeral services include the traditional funeral service, the memorial service, the committal service, and the affirmation or celebration of life service.

Can you still have a funeral if you choose cremation?

Yes, cremation or burial is merely the disposition of the body. Funeral services are to honor and remember your loved one, regardless of disposition.

Can I plan in advance if I choose cremation?

Pre-arranging funeral services can be done regardless of the final disposition. Pre-arranging is simply recording your wishes with the funeral home and prefunding if you choose to do so.

What information should I bring to the arrangement conference?

Advance Directives - If the deceased left any written advance directives concerning the disposition of his remains and memorialization, you need to bring them with you. These instructions may be found in a will, or there may be a formally witnessed disposition directive, funeral pre-arrangements, or a pre-need contract. Military Discharge Papers Details on any cemetery property owned by the deceased or the family (grave plot, columbarium space, etc.) Recent photograph of the deceased and any personal effects that you wish to be included in the viewing or burial Specific information on the deceased: Full legal name Address Marital status Social Security number Date of birth Place of birth (city and state) Educational history (number of years of schooling) Armed Forces service dates and serial number Occupation or profession Parent's names, including mother's maiden name Next of kin and other survivors

What services do funeral directors perform?

The funeral director's job is to assist the bereaved in various ways to help them through the loss of a loved one. A funeral director provides bereavement and consolation services for the living, in addition to making arrangements for the cremation, burial, and memorial services for the deceased. He fulfills the role of funeral arranger, funeral director, funeral attendant, and embalmer. The following list is not all-inclusive, but describes some of the major tasks of a funeral director: Removal and transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home Professional care of the deceased, including embalming, casketing, and cosmetology Consulting with family to make arrangements for the funeral service Filing certificates, permits, and other required forms Obtaining copies of the death certificate Arrangements with the cemetery, crematory, or other places of final disposition Creates and publishes the obituary Arrangements for clergy, music, flowers, transportation, pallbearers, and special fraternal or military services Directs and manages the funeral service and the funeral procession Assists the family with death-related claims, including Social Security, VA insurance, grief counseling

Nearby funeral homes

Straight-line distance from William T McDonald Inc.

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Common questions

How much is direct cremation at William T McDonald Inc?

William T McDonald Inc lists direct cremation at $3,170, $505 above the Massachusetts median of $2,665 across 303 Massachusetts homes.

Does William T McDonald Inc offer cremation?

Yes. Cremation is on William T McDonald Inc's service list.

What are William T McDonald Inc's hours?

William T McDonald Inc lists these hours: 24/7: Always Available.

What funeral homes are near William T McDonald Inc?

Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home (direct cremation $1,785), McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home (direct cremation $3,345) and Barile Family Funeral Homes.

This form goes to the FuneralUS team, not to the funeral home. We call William T McDonald Inc for you, then follow up with you by phone or email.