Burr Davis Funeral Home

[Music] yes this heritage of service has been the tradition of burr Davis and son since it was founded in 1863 we have grown in that tradition and our growth parallels out of Mount Vernon the section of Westchester and nearby Connecticut whose families we are privileged to serve in 1873 10 years after this firm was founded fire-swept 4th Avenue only the heroic efforts of a bucket brigade composed of mr. burr Davis and his staff saved his home and adjacent frame buildings from destruction from the ruins Mount Vernon rebuilt but this time of stone and steel instead of the flimsy wood frame construction of the past there have been other well remembered landmarks along the road of progress here for instance is a view of South 4th Avenue after the Great Blizzard of 1888 surely a marked contrast with the same scene today but the face of our town has been changed less by fire and storm than by the hand of man before the first Street underpass was built the sixth Avenue Crossing looking West appeared this way we're now streamlined trains speed along fog and all the Revel of the old roadway here you see the construction of the underpass between 5th and 4th avenues looking east in the year 1894 [Music] more than half a century later the same scene looks this way as the next photograph shows by nineteen three the establishment had expanded considerably in that year mr. burr Davis died the second generation carried on the heritage of service so faithfully that from this modest beginning we have become the foremost establishment of its kind in the vicinity of New York we are also the oldest business concern in Mount Vernon under the continuous management of one family represented now by mr. burr Davis and mr. Walter Davis of the third generation plans who enter through the fourth Avenue entrance are instantly impressed whether restrained good taste the quiet dignity of the foyer beyond which lies our building a full city square deep but more than 17,000 square feet of floor space so come and make a tour of inspection with us at the head of the stairs an inspiring painting of the famous Church of Nossa Michel in France never fails to evoke appreciative comment for more veterans who fought to liberate that country and in another corner of the upper hall which leads to the reposing rooms there are paintings of calm pastoral scenes first of the featured reposing rooms in line of importance is this the Williamsburg room equipped for music and establishing the general pattern for all the rooms in its authenticity of style and atmosphere of quiet dignity here are exact reproductions of the furniture which graced the governor's palace shown in this mural in the pre-revolutionary days of Williamsburg Virginia next to it along the front of the building is the Victorian Row where music is also available and where again the restfulness of an old tradition has been faithfully preserved the finest of reproductions a soft blue carpet and rich dusty rose draperies the walls papered in grey blue relieved by a jonquil pattern make the room truly home-like in a style many of us can remember from the days of our childhood the theme of the colonial room is early Americana a study and cheerfulness of color and simplicity of design the walls of soft yellow patterned with cocoa colored colonial figures carpet of sculptured Bay's the use of brass and copper lamps all speak of the unhurried serenity of the days of the Pilgrim Fathers in marked contrast to the provincial room lovely and authentic reproductions of French Provincial pieces like this period secretary containing exquisite porcelain figurines all in a setting of restrained elegance which speaks of charm in tones of green and grey and rust [Music] truly different is the smoking lounge this modern room needs comfort and relaxation providing a welcome interviewed every now and then so pretty and cheerful that one cannot help feeling refreshed after a brief period of rest while the fourth Avenue entrance is primarily used by those on foot this entrance on Third Avenue is really the service entrance you will note that the bird Davis name is both over the door and on the side of the driveway here is a view into our modern preparation room preparation has made great advances over the years as have all other phases of funeral service work and for many decades Byrd Davis and son has maintained an enviable reputation for excellent work along these lines today the modern preparation room plays a vitally important part in obtaining the desired results our process is truly an operation and obviously the place for an operation is a room equipped for these special services our large garage right on the premises is intended for your comfort and convenience since clients can always drive right in from South 3rd Avenue and leave their cars where they will be protected when the time comes to form a procession the cars are assembled in their proper order undercover where they are sheltered both from the weather and the eyes of a curious public there are many times when privacy means so much to the family and so we provide this private family entrance to the chapel making it possible to drive in off the street and leave your car at this doorway protected from the elements and passers-by this is the private stairway leading from the family entrance to the memorial chapel throughout the ages music has played an important part in the religious services of all faiths from this organ alcove separated only by Damus draperies from the chapel our organist provides whatever favorite selections are designed or if no particular music is specified you are assured of the proper selections for the occasion also adjoining the chapel is this 18th century family room where privacy is the key note before or after the service you may receive your friends and relatives in proper seclusion and from here you may depart by of a private family entrance to your car always shielded from the public games but most important from here through these glass curtains at the left you may see and hear the service while yet remaining unseen from the chapel in this place of solemn dignity memorial services are conducted instead of moveable chairs final pews lend an air of comfortable permanence providing seating for 200 people but all these things the lovely chapel private family-run modern preparation room proposing rooms these are only the tangibles even more important is our heritage of service and we of the third generation pledged the same fairness sympathetic understanding and perfection of service even to the smallest detail that was established by the founder and which has made the name Byrd Davis and Sun West Chester's largest and most beautiful establishment synonymous with distinctive funeral service [Music]