We offer compassion, choice and care

Founded in Ontario in 1911, Patterson Funeral Home was built on the belief that neighbors should have access to the funeral and cremation choices they want, at affordable prices. Over the decades, we’ve guided thousands of families with support and attention to detail.

Our beautiful Main Street funeral home accommodates intimate ceremonies or gatherings up to 500 guests. Families appreciate our tribute movies, extensive music library and the option to livestream services for loved ones unable to attend in person.

Whether you’re arranging a traditional religious ceremony or a modern celebration, our caring staff is here to help you plan for today or the future. For those who prefer tradition, we can honor cultural and faith-based customs with services that bring comfort and continuity.

Families choosing cremation may plan a memorial in our chapel, at a cemetery or in a place that holds personal meaning. A celebration of life can be as unique as the person it honors—whether that means a jazz brunch or a sports-themed afternoon. Whatever your choice, we meet your family with compassion and care.

Families who choose us say it best

Not long ago, a family came to us after suddenly losing a loved one. Overwhelmed with both grief and decisions, they weren’t sure where to begin. From the first moment, our team surrounded them with gentle guidance, ensuring they never felt alone or rushed. We listened to their stories, learned about their loss and worked to design a service that truly reflected their loved one’s spirit.

On the day of the funeral, love filled the room. There were tears, yes, but also laughter as guests shared memories. Afterward, one family member approached us in tears and whispered, “Thank you. We couldn’t have gotten through this without you.”

That simple moment said everything. It’s what fuels our work and reminds us of our greater purpose. At Patterson, we're not just arranging funeral services—we're helping families heal.

Our story spans generations

The Patterson family’s story in funeral service began with a dream—and a lot of hard work. In 1911, John Joseph “J.J.” Patterson and his wife, Annie, purchased the Cronmiller Furniture and Undertaking business in Welland, Ontario. Founded in 1874, the business sat at 125 East Main Street, and it became the heart of a new family legacy.

For J.J., this was more than a business venture—it fulfilled a lifelong ambition. He had spent years working on the construction of the Welland Canal, saving every possible dollar to buy the business. Known for his integrity and compassion, J.J. quickly earned a reputation as a trusted caretaker for local families in their times of need.

Not long after taking ownership, he built a new facility to better serve the community. By 1927, The Port Colborne Citizen praised the firm’s “modern equipment in every detail,” highlighting its elegant Studebaker hearse, family coach, and funeral service car. The article also commended “the mortuarian’s business, conducted with the highest degree of skill and efficiency.”

From the start, J.J. hoped his children would carry on his calling. All three of his sons—John, and twins Harold and Gerald—became licensed embalmers. As funeral traditions shifted from home services to dedicated funeral homes, Harold and Gerald decided to separate the furniture and funeral operations. The funeral home moved to 19 Young Street in Welland, while the furniture store remained at its original location.

In 1960, Harold’s son, Francis, joined the family business. After Harold’s passing, Francis took ownership of the furniture store but soon realized that his true passion was funeral service. In 1969, he and his wife, Patricia, purchased Patterson Funeral Residence in Port Colborne. They managed both businesses until 1974, when they sold them to acquire the Dermody and Hockton Funeral Home in Niagara Falls—a bold move their accountant warned against. But Francis and Pat trusted their instincts, and their gamble paid off.

The Niagara Falls funeral home had a storied past of its own, beginning in 1950 under the names Smith and Brass, with several partnerships and owners through the years. The Hockton family purchased it in 1960 and operated it until Francis and Pat took over.

In 1998, Francis and Pat retired, passing the torch to their daughter, Ruth-Ann, and her husband, Ed. The couple represented the fourth generation of Pattersons in funeral service—a legacy rooted in compassion and care. Ed had earned his funeral director’s license in 1991 after working alongside his in-laws for years, and Ruth-Ann had grown up living above the family funeral home, learning the business from childhood.

In 2004, Ed and Ruth-Ann reinvested in the business, eventually expanding the Main Street location with a 12,000-square-foot addition designed for modern comfort and convenience.

Today, Patterson Funeral Home proudly continues the tradition of service that began more than a century ago. In 2025, the firm joined the Dignity Memorial ^® network, blending the personal touch of a locally rooted family business with the added benefits of a trusted national provider. Families now enjoy the reassurance of transferable prearrangements and unique protections for their peace of mind—just as J.J. Patterson intended when he first set out to bring comfort and care to his community.