Bergin Funeral Home | Funeral & Cremation Services for Waterbury, CT

Who We Are

Our professional staff has years of experience caring for families from all walks of life. We are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service and professional integrity.

When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and products, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

Our History

The Bergin Funeral Home was founded in 1873 by Martin Bergin. It was in this year that he became the successor to an undertaking business started by his brother-in-law, Michael Maher, which was located on South Main Street. In addition to “undertaking” the business originally sold stationary, school books, cards, religious items, newspapers and periodicals. In later years Martin was joined in business by his sons, Thomas, Patrick, John, Martin, Jr. and Daniel. Martin Bergin, Sr. died on Christmas Eve in 1903. The third generation included Martin, Jr's son; Martin and Patrick’s sons; Stephen and Edward. Edward’s sons; Patrick, Edward, Jr. (Mike), William and Martin followed.

As the funeral business changed it became necessary for the business to change locations, so in July of 1909 the business moved to 242 East Main Street. The Bergin block was a five story brick building at the junction of Cole and East Main Streets. There were apartments above the undertaking parlor. During the renovations a skeleton was found in the closet of the former doctor’s office. The story of Fortune aka “Larry” can be found at the Mattatuck Museum. The building subsequently housed Bria’s Pharmacy.

In 1923, the business once again moved, to its current location at 290 East Main Street. At this time major renovations were done to the building which had been a simple Victorian home, which had served as a doctor’s office and home. The roof was raised four feet, and walls removed from the second floor, a metal ceiling installed, creating a large room for “wakes”. An addition was added providing space for a modern preparation room and garage for livery vehicles. The second floor of the addition was for the casket display room. The Greek revival front was also added with its four Corinthian columns, which are visible from the Waterbury green. An Otis elevator was installed in the garage to raise caskets to the second floor. It was hand powered, a hundred and nineteen turns of the crank to reach the second floor.

Over the years the building has seen many improvements to make it handicapped accessible and more conducive to today’s families needs. The latest improvements included new restrooms, an interior ramp and the modern electric powered Otis elevator.

Four generations of the Bergin family have served the residents of the Waterbury area for over 135 years.
As a proud affiliate of Carriage Services the Bergin Funeral Home remains locally managed by D. Scott Griffith, a Waterbury native and second generation funeral director whose own family has been serving the Greater Waterbury area since 1931.

Our Valued Staff

D. Scott Griffith, Managing Partner

A Waterbury native and second generation funeral director, Scott is a graduate of Saints Peter and Paul Grammar School, Sacred Heart High School and received his degree in funeral service from the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Boston, Massachusetts. He began his career in funeral service in 1988 with the Bergin Funeral Home and the Lyons Funeral Home in Thomaston, at that time working for William J. Bergin. In 1995 he went to work for a funeral home in Litchfield, eventually becoming manager. In June of 2005 Scott decided to return home to Waterbury and accepted the position as managing partner of the Bergin Funeral Home and the Lyons Funeral Home. An active member of the community, Scott is a member of the Waterbury Lodge B.P.O. Elks #265, Harmony Lodge # 42 A.F. & A.M., the Waterbury Rotary Club (Past President), a communicant of St. Mary Magdalen Church in Oakville and is a volunteer member of the Development Committee of the Palace Theater. He is also a member of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association and serves as a clinical embalming examiner for the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Scott resides in Watertown with his wife, Michele (Mailhot), and their three children, Christopher, Drew and Sarah.
Daniel H. Woods, Funeral Director (Apprentice)

Dan is a lifelong resident of Waterbury, he is a graduate of Blessed Sacrament Grammar School, Sacred Heart High School and received his degree in Funeral Service from the Lincoln College of New England in Southington. Dan began his employment with us in the spring of 2007 as a part time funeral asisstant while he was enrolled at Lincoln College of New England and now is taking an active role in the business as a full time employee.
Mrs. Patricia McKennerney, Administrative

Pat is a member of St. Michael's Church of Waterbury and the Evergreen Club. She is married to Gordon McKennerney, and resides in Wolcott. She has been at the funeral home since July of 2004. Pat had worked for many different doctors and attorneys in Waterbury and is a Notary Public.
Mr. Lambert - Mike O'Neill, Funeral Assistant

Mike lives in Plantsville, he and his wife Carole (Morin) have been married for fifty years, they have five children. He takes great pride in gardening to complete his home. Mike serves as a Eucharistic minister at St. Aloysius Church in Plantsville. He had served honorably with the US Army and was stationed in Germany. Mike had worked for many years as a machinist. He has been employed with us since May of 2001 and has enjoyed collecting coins over the years, being a Red Sox fan and enjoys traveling with Carole.
Mr. Marcel Brouillard, Funeral Assistant

Marcel is a US Navy veteran and resides in Oakville. He was married to Mildred Lee (Thomas)
and became widowed in 1987. They had six children together. He has been employed with us since May of 2001. Formerly, Marcel was a general manager at Marjam Inc. in Waterbury for thirty-five years. He is an active member of the Knights of Columbus in Watertown, the Waterbury Elks #265 and the Watertown Golf Club.
Mr. Wendell McKennerney, Funeral Assistant

Wendell is a retired grammar school teacher and principal, he had served the City of Waterbury for many years and finds great joy in seeing his former students while he working with us. He is an active member of the First Congregational Church of Waterbury and a member and secretary of the Waterbury Lions Club and had served honorably in the United States Navy during World War II. He and his wife Margie reside in Waterbury. Wendell is our longest serving funeral assistant, having been a valued employee for over twenty years.
John J. Cavanaugh, Funeral Asisstant

John is a lifelong resident of Waterbury and retired from the Waterbury Police Department. John and his wife Pat are active parishoners of the Church of the Epiphany.
Mr. Vincent P. Anelli Jr

Vin lives in Middlebury with his wife Carol, and is an active volunteer and parishoner of St. John of the Cross Church in Middlebury and is a member of the Waterbury Elks Lodge # 265.