Today we’d like to introduce you to John DeVito.
John, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
We are a 4th generation family funeral home that has established itself with both traditional and non-traditional client needs. We have two locations to service our client families, Watertown and Arlington. Both locations are located in very traditional municipalities however due to our Watertown locale we have developed our Cremation Service. The DeVito Funeral Home located in Watertown is within walking distance to the Mt. Auburn Cemetery.
Mt. Auburn Cemetery is finest cemetery in the Greater Boston area and also has cremation retorts. The cemetery houses the most dignified of Cremation Facilities and we have established a unique plan to coincide with the rich history of Mt. Auburn Cemetery and the general area.
The Mt. Auburn Cremation Plan is simply a detailed plan that the DeVito Funeral Home uses to facilitate and assist those families desiring cremation as an option. Our staff is expert in the field and is always willing to conduct services as desired by the client.
Our roots which were established in East Cambridge C. 1928 are soon approaching a milestone of 100 years in business. Though we hold dear to our roots we also realize that the diverse culture we find ourselves in must be treated with the same dignity offered to all.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road in any business, and a funeral home is simply a service business, is never easy. With hard work and bumps in the road come success. The biggest struggle we face is the changing societal needs pertaining to religion. The scandal that hit the Catholic Church has certainly added great anxiety to society.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
What sets us apart from any other competitor is the fact that we can and do all work “in house” by a family member. Most funeral establishments simply do not have the staff or the skill set to provide all labor etc. and must hire outside help. John, Sr. has been the firm’s Embalmer since 1984 and is now passing the skills needed on to his son John, Jr. Alfred M. DeVito, Sr. who at 92 years of age is certainly retired, established this family firm concept back in the mid 1970’s. Al, Jr. has been lead Funeral Director going on 40 years. He too has begun to pass the tools required to his son Jonathan. For many years any of the siblings or cousins of the family would be found working visitation hours and funerals.
To have a small family run business survive is perhaps the greatest achievement to date.
What were you like growing up?
I personally grew up in Arlington, MA. Arlington is simply awesome. Though it has and will continue to change I am still very proud of my roots here. My interests followed that of many a young kid growing up in town. Hockey, hockey, hockey….when I could no longer compete I turned to golf. At 57 I find myself perhaps in need of another hobby! Can’t keep up with the young studs anymore.
Pricing:
- Mt. Auburn Cremation Plan $2,495.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 761 Mt. Auburn Street
- Website: devitofuneralhomes.com
- Phone: 617 924 3445
- Email: director@devitofuneralhomes.com
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