Chamber Spotlight: O’Brien Funeral Home
The newly renovated O’Brien Funeral Home is big, bright, and beautiful.
And despite some rumors, the funeral home at 146 Dorchester St. is open … in fact, it never closed during the renovation, said Maureen Reen.
Maureen and her husband, John, purchased the funeral home in July 2022 from Edward O’Brien. John, who had worked for O’Brien for more than 20 years, also owns and operates his family’s funeral home in Brighton: Lehman, Reen, & McNamara.
“We just wanted to have an updated space that was welcoming and bright; a place where families and friends can come together to honor their loved ones,” Maureen said.
The O’Brien Funeral Home is the newest member of the South Boston Chamber of Commerce. “South Boston is a new community for me,” said Maureen, noting her husband has been working in the neighborhood for quite a while.
“For me, there's a lot to learn. So I thought it was a good opportunity to get involved and meet some people and learn more about the community,” said Maureen, who has worked at Lehman, Reen, & McNamara.
“In Brighton, we've always been active members of the community. And we would like to do that in South Boston as well,” Maureen said.
The Reens held an open house in April and visitors were awed by what they saw.
“The most fun is seeing the reaction on people's faces,” Maureen said. “People are shocked at how beautiful it is. I think they're really moved.”
The Reens made sure to include special little touches that reflect the community, including artwork from local artists and the original sign from 1910.
“We tried to be really mindful of what would be important to people in the community,” she said, “and give them a space that they felt at home in.”
Other changes to the funeral home include new carpeting, wallpaper, drapes, and furniture. The Reens took down a dividing wall in the main area to make it one large, more comfortable space. Food is now allowed in the funeral home. And they created two new 3-stall handicap-accessible bathrooms.
One of the first changes was the creation of a website, which is full of information, including a section to preplan a funeral.
Many people still do traditional funerals with a wake, then a funeral service at the church, and burial at a cemetery.
“Many families are also choosing to do unique services that really reflect their own family's traditions. And so I believe our space is really big and bright and beautiful. And it's a great space for people to be able to do that,” Maureen said.
“We're finding that people are interested in something different. We serve anyone who wants to come in the door, no matter what their religion is, and have created a space where they can really honor their loved ones.
“It's really whatever the family wants. We want to try to accommodate them as best we can.”
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OBrienFunerals
Website: https://obrienfunerals.com/
