This unassuming funeral home in St. Joseph has a hidden museum tucked away in the back of the building. The museum features caskets and historical artifacts that show off the advances of mortuary science. According to staff members, the museum came about partially through the merging of the different funeral homes. David Heaton owned the first funeral home in St. Joseph in 1842. The Sidenfaden Funeral Home opened after the Civil War and by the 1960s the Heaton-Smith Funeral Home and the Sidenfaden Funeral Home was purchased by the Smith's who still own the business today. You'll find many of the unique pieces found in the museum relate directly back to one of these three funeral parlors. It's certainly a unique place to visit that will leave you with some great stories to to tell your friends about!
Located in the heart of St. Joseph is the Heaton-Bowman-Smith
& Sidenfaden Chapel. This funeral home looks like many others but beyond being just a funeral parlor, they also house one of the most unique funeral themed museums.
At the back of the building, you can tour their small museum and view this comprehensive collection of caskets and funeral memorabilia.
Some of the pieces were obtained when the Heaton Funeral Home was responsible for a funeral or burial. This photo shows Frank Grouard, scout and interpreter for General George Crook, at the Battle of Wounded Knee. Grouard had become quite famous after the American Indian War. He remained in St. Joseph until is death in 1905. His burial was handed by the Heaton Funeral Home.
Jesse James was another famous American buried by the Heaton's. This basket like casket was used to carry Mr. James' body to the funeral home.
This registrar used by the Heaton Funeral Home shows Mr. James' entry and his cause of death. You'll also notice that Mr. James' funeral services came at a much higher cost, likely due to his celebrity status.
The museum also showcases religious relics, mortuary science books, and instruments from the past.
Caskets, much like clothing, change with the times. Trends and new inventions have influenced the look and design of caskets over the last 200 years.
This small metal casket was made for a child. At the time, the casket would have been sealed and you could only view the face of the deceased through the window.
If you're interested in history, the unusual, or end-of-life practices, you simply must visit the Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Funeral Museum. To see the museum, simply enter through the front of the chapel and ask a staff member for assistance. Admission is free but you'll want to be respectful of those who are at the chapel mourning loved ones.
Find the Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Funeral Museum at 3609 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph.
Have you been to the museum at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel? Tell us about your visit in the comments below.
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