Johnson’s Funeral Home began operations in 1936
Published in the December 10-23, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
From left, location manager Michael D’Apuzzo, funeral attendant Gary A. Banister and funeral director Lance M. Gittin in the front lobby of Dignity Memorial’s
Johnson’s Funeral Home in Morgan Hill.
Photo by Marty Cheek
Although it’s now the holiday season and contemplating a funeral service might be an uncomfortable subject for many people to consider during the festivities, the fact that families are gathering together means this time of year provides opportunities for them to discuss the details of funeral arrangements before a loved one dies.
Pre-planning a funeral can provide tremendous emotional relief and even financial security, said Michael D’Apuzzo, manager of Dignity Memorial’s Johnson’s Funeral Home in Morgan Hill. It lets people spend their time and energy on the grieving process and gives them the assurance that the funeral reflects what a loved one desires.
Morgan Hill Life asked D’Apuzzo about Johnson’s Funeral Home and why now is a good time for people to consider pre-plan service options.
Tell us about the history of Johnson Funeral Home and how Dignity Memorial came to purchase the family-owned business.
Johnson Funeral Home is the only funeral home in Morgan Hill and has been serving the community and the surrounding area since 1936. In the early 1930’s, Edwin P. Johnson Sr. and his wife, Meta, moved to Morgan Hill and rented Lane Funeral Home on Main Ave.
In 1935, he designed and built his own funeral home, which opened in 1936 as Johnson’s Funeral Home in the same building we are in today. In 1960, Edwin P. Johnson Jr. and his wife, Ruth, purchased the funeral home from Edwin Sr. and operated the business until Edwin Jr. retired in 1985. Ruth Johnson continued to operate the funeral home for another 10 years until she decided it was time to retire.
The business was sold in 1995 to an affiliate of Service Corporation International and is now a proud member of the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cremation, and cemetery service providers.
What makes Dignity different or unique from other funeral service providers?
Johnson’s Funeral Home is proud to be a member of the Dignity Memorial network of more than 2,000 funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers. When you choose a Dignity Memorial provider, you not only receive the compassionate care you expect from a locally operated establishment, but also the value you deserve from the largest network of funeral homes and cemeteries — including an array of services that is unmatched by any other funeral provider in North America. Dignity Memorial providers serve more veterans than any other funeral service provider; our professionals are experts in veterans’ burial benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Describe your pre-plan services and why it’s important for people to consider to plan ahead for themselves or their loved ones.
No one wants to think about their death any sooner than they must, but planning your funeral services in advance, called “pre-planning” or “pre-arranging,” is a responsible, caring act that can reduce stress for your grieving loved ones. It’s easy to understand how making decisions now about your final arrangements can help assure those left behind that your wishes are being honored. Pre-planning your funeral or cemetery arrangements gives you and your loved ones peace of mind. Whether you’re making final arrangements for a loved one or making advance arrangements for yourself, planning with a Dignity Memorial provider is a smart choice.
Describe some of the additional services Dignity provides its customers.
Dignity Memorial providers offer exclusive benefits, including National Transferability of Prearranged Services, the Bereavement Travel Program, the 24-hour Compassion Helpline and access to an acclaimed grief management library. As North America’s premier provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services, the Dignity Memorial brand is your assurance of quality, value, caring service and exceptional satisfaction. All of our services are designed to help families through one of the most personal and challenging stages of life.
How does your staff help people deal with the emotional stress and grieving process?
As part of North America’s largest network of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers, we at Johnson Funeral Home understand how difficult the loss of a loved one can be. We work with grieving families every day, and we’ve seen how personalized services and services that are arranged in advance can help make a difficult time easier for families who’ve experienced a loss. Edwin P. Johnson Sr. began his funeral home with a commitment to a high standard of service, and everyone at Johnson Funeral Home is proud to uphold this heritage and commitment to our community.
Tell us a bit about Dignity’s Bereavement Travel Service and Child/Grandchild Protection Plan.
Our Bereavement Travel Service offers dedicated travel specialists that will seek the best available airfares as well as hotel accommodations and car rentals for all family and friends to attend a funeral, cremation, and memorial or graveside service. Nothing can ease the pain of losing a child or grandchild, but our Child/Grandchild Protection Plan offers financial relief for those who choose a Dignity Memorial Burial or Cremation Plan.We will provide funeral or cremation services, at no cost, at any Dignity Memorial provider, up to the level of the plan you have selected. The child or grandchild must be younger than 21 years of age and unmarried.
