Bernstein Funeral Home records

Collection — Box: 1, Folder: 1-4

Collection number: MSS-045

Scope and Contents

Photocopies of the funeral home's Register of Funerals, which contains information not only about funeral, cremation, and burial services, but also causes of death and the persons who ordered the service.

Dates

1911-1940

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

This collection has no restrictions. This collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required. Apply in the Heritage Room for access.

Biographical / Historical

The Bernstein Funeral Home was established in 1911 by Moses Bernstein. When most Athens streets were still dirt, Bernstein provided a water wagon to precede the funeral procession, wet the road, and thus minimize the amount of dust kicked up by the horses drawing the hearse.

Bernstein's service excelled in other ways as well. Bernstein offered the first motorized hearse in the state of Georgia. It was built on a 1913 Ford chassis by the Klein and Martin Machine Shop. Bernstein also provided Athens with the first factory-assembled hearse.

In later years, Bernstein operated funeral services in towns near Athens and established a burial insurance society. He died in 1948.

In 1986, Bernstein Funeral Home was purchased by an affiliate of Service Corporation International. It is currently part of the Dignity Memorial national network of funeral, cremation, and cemetery service providers.