Our Story

Our Story

In 1937, when Ed Dery opened his first funeral home in Pittsfield, life was different. Life moved slower back then. You knew your neighbor, and you knew his needs. Ed Dery knew what his community needed...a friend they could depend on in a time of need. Someone who cared. 

When Ed opened that first funeral home on the corner of Burbank and North Streets in Pittsfield, you might say he started a tradition of caring for his community...a tradition that continues to this day. Ed was committed to providing the best care when his neighbors needed it most. From washing the cars to making the family arrangements. Ed let that one belief be his guide. 

Along with that "tradition of caring" for his community, Ed was also known around town as a man you could depend on when you needed a hand...active in community affairs...and always there when your family needed him the most. Ed was constantly improving his buildings and his services to make sure families in his community were well-served. 
Many changes have happened since 1937. Ed moved his business in Pittsfield to Bradford Street and added a branch in Cheshire in 1964, the same year his sons Dave and Ed Jr. joined the business. Ed Senior's untimely death in 1968 did not change the commitment to care that marks the Dery Family Tradition. In 1969 his sons Dave and Ed Jr. purchased the former Foley Funeral Home in Dalton and continued on the "tradition of caring" started by their father in 1937. In 1989 Dave's son Fred joined the family business along with his father and uncle. That same year Ed Jr. passed away leaving Dave and Fred to carry on the family business. While life today is much different than in 1937, some things still remain the same at Dery's.... responsiveness, integrity, dignity and caring. A "tradition of caring" started 86 years ago, a "tradition of caring" to be carried on for years and years to come.

What Makes Us Unique

We are proud to embrace traditional values, diversity and innovation in honoring the spirit and life of each person we serve. We offer a full selection of:
  1. Funeral and memorial services, ranging from traditional to uniquely innovative and personal
  2. Burial services and cremation options
  3. Celebrant Services
Letting go of a loved one is usually a very difficult process. In order to provide your family peace-of-mind, our funeral home offers complete care, so you can focus on comforting each other as you prepare to say goodbye to someone dear to you.
Although there are many decisions you may have to make, we assure you that we will guide you through the entire process every step of the way. We promise to help you:
  • Design the most fitting memorial or funeral service to honor their memory and pay tribute to their life achievements and experiences.
  • Select the most appropriate products, including a casket, burial vault, cremation urn, cemetery or mausoleum, to fit your budget and suit your needs and desires.
  • Write a fitting obituary to honor your loved one’s life experiences and social connections.
  • Assist in the publication of the obituary in the newspapers of your choice.
  • Create a Book of Memories™, a beautiful, permanent online memorial, where you and your friends can build a legacy of memories by archiving treasured photos and memories.
  • Welcome your family and friends to our funeral home for your planned services, including a viewing, visitation, funeral or memorial service.
  • Make all arrangements with regard to the services whether they are held at your place of worship, our funeral home, cemetery, or alternate gathering place.
  • Provide you with beautiful funeral print materials, including memorial folders, prayer cards and book marks. We also offer personalized note cards for you to acknowledge the emotional support you received from friends, co-workers and community members.
  • Provide an elegant hearse and funeral cars, as well as arrange for escorts.
  • Help in the selection and on-site arrangement of floral tributes.
  • Provide access to grief education and support materials, and referrals to counseling services.
  • Prepare all paperwork, including vital record statistics, permits, filing and obtaining death certificates, and assistance with life insurance, veteran’s benefits and Social Security claims.
We hope you will turn to us for compassionate care and impeccable service. Our pledge is to honor your loved one and family with dignity, respect and personal attention to every detail.
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