FUNERAL HOME 2022

Things were far from smooth sailing for Staab Funeral Homes.

The four-generation company has been recognized by readers of the Illinois Times as the best funeral home in Springfield.

P.J. Staab, president of Staab Funeral Homes, says the key to their success is their commitment to serving the families of the bereaved.

The business began in 1927 when George Staab, a union plumber, partnered with John O'Donnell to create O'Donnell & Staab Funeral Home and Ambulance Service. A decade later, Staab and his wife, Christine, established Staab Funeral Home at its current location in a Victorian home near Fifth and Allen streets. Since then, the building has been remodeled and improved several times.

In 2017, the funeral home opened a second location in Sherman.

"I haven't achieved my first big success yet," P.J. Staab said. "I expect that my first big success, from my humble perspective, will be that when I pass away, this business will pass to the fourth generation with the same wisdom that our founders passed it on to the second and third generations. ... That's the biggest challenge."

The firm serves about 400 families each year after the death of a loved one. It also provides pre-planning and pet cremation services.

Over the years, Staab Funeral Homes has honored some unusual requests. One man wished to be buried in his sports car. When he died, he was buried sitting in his MG Midget, surrounded by a concrete tomb.

Others had simpler wishes, such as to be buried in a barnboard casket or for the funeral procession to drive through favorite places like Washington Park or the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

"We are now the oldest family-owned funeral home in this market. And we're proud of that," Staab said.