One of the city’s oldest businesses is closing following an agreement to sell the property to a developer. Arthur Erickson, director of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Homes announced the West Haven home is now closed and is in the process of being sold. Those who have made arrangements with the business have been advised of the decision.
Erickson made the announcement by letter to customers and a press release this week. According to Erickson it was strictly a business decision.
“Recently we were approached by a company expressing an interest to purchase our property on Campbell Avenue,” he wrote. “This came as a surprise because we had not considered selling and therefore declined their offer. After continued pursuit and additional offers to purchase, we decided to at least listen. After much heartfelt consideration and some advice, we decided to accept their offer and sell our property.”
The announcement ends a 49-year affiliation of the former Seth Taylor Funeral Home with Beecher & Bennett, which joined ranks in 1968. Seth Taylor founded the funeral home bearing his name in 1917, while Beecher & Bennett were founded in 1894.
“Although we regret not being able to continue to provide funeral and cremation services from the Beecher & Bennett-Taylor Funeral Home on Campbell Avenue, we realize that the economy and funeral values are changing and will continue to change in the future,” he wrote. We are in contact with all families who have pre-arranged their services with us to ensure that their arrangements will be finalized to their complete satisfaction, and we are looking forward to assisting families with the highest level of service and compassion as we have since 1894.
Beecher & Bennett Funeral and Cremation Service will continue to serve families in New Haven County from our locations in Hamden and Meriden, according to Erickson.
“As president and third generation owner of Beecher & Bennett, after my grandfather Iver A. Erickson and father Carleton V. Erickson, I am pleased to now work aside my two sons Jonathan and AJ, as well as the rest of our dedicated staff,” the director wrote.
Anyone with any questions or concerns is invited to call me at (203) 933-8180, or send an email to arthur@beecherandbennett.com.