Our Story

Abraham C. Fernald, Sr. was the founder of the Fernald family funeral profession in 1860. For more than a century, our commitment has remained unchanged, yet we always strive to respond to the changing needs of the community. Since its inception, the Fernald funeral service business has been owned and operated by five generations of Fernalds. In 1961 the current funeral home was built in the village of Somesville in the Town of Mount Desert. On January 20, 1981, the family purchased the Jordan Funeral Home in Ellsworth, followed by the purchase of the Healey Funeral Home in Blue Hill on December 2, 1993, and the facility in Bar Harbor in 1999. In 2004 all four locations became known as Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes.

As the years have moved forward funeral services have had many changes. As a funeral and cremation provider we saw the need to make changes as well. On Mount Desert Island it became clear that one centrally located facility was all that was needed. In 2011 the Bar Harbor Facility closed. The Somesville location had been renovated and was able to accommodate the needs of the families served. In 2014 the Blue Hill location of 141 South Street was closed and re-opened at 49 Main Street with a more central location and a slightly more modern space. In December 2018, that location closed, with communities on the Blue Hill Peninsula and beyond  being served by the Ellsworth location. 

Our staff has had changes as well. William C. Fernald who started in 1961 retired in 2009 and his brother, Thomas J. Fernald who had joined the family business in 1967, retired in 2013. However, the longest serving member, Robert B. Fernald who started in business in 1955, passed the reigns to his daughter, Lauri E. Fernald, in 2018. Lauri joined the firm in 1988. 
Today’s owners and staff continue to believe in providing excellent and caring services to the community. They are all active participants in numerous community organizations and fund-raisers.

Our Service

Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes affirm that we are the top-rated funeral homes in the Hancock County area.  
 
The care we provide to our families does not end at the funeral service. Our staff always makes itself available to the families we serve following a funeral service. We assist them with any needs or requests they may have; we can provide literature and referrals to other professionals who can assist a family following a death.
 
Jordan-Fernald Funeral Directors are experienced with the transition of loss. We have built an extensive network of resources to help families make the journey from sorrow and loss to acceptance and recovery. We are always ready to help refer our friends to reputable bereavement and grief support service providers.

What Makes Us Unique

We are proud to embrace traditional values, diversity and innovation in honoring the spirit and life of each person we serve. We offer a full selection of:
  1. Funeral and memorial services, ranging from traditional to uniquely innovative and personal
  2. Burial services and cremation options
  3. Celebrant Services
Letting go of a loved one is usually a very difficult process. In order to provide your family peace-of-mind, our funeral home offers complete care, so you can focus on comforting each other as you prepare to say goodbye to someone dear to you.

Although there are many decisions you may have to make, we assure you that we will guide you through the entire process every step of the way. We promise to help you:
  • Design the most fitting memorial or funeral service to honor their memory and pay tribute to their life achievements and experiences.
  • Select the most appropriate products, including a casket, burial vault, cremation urn, cemetery or mausoleum, to fit your budget and suit your needs and desires.
  • Write a fitting obituary to honor your loved one’s life experiences and social connections.
  • Assist in the publication of the obituary in the newspapers of your choice.
  • Create a Book of Memories™, a beautiful, permanent online memorial, where you and your friends can build a legacy of memories by archiving treasured photos and memories.
  • Welcome your family and friends to our funeral home for your planned services, including a viewing, visitation, funeral or memorial service.
  • Make all arrangements with regard to the services whether they are held at your place of worship, our funeral home, cemetery, or alternate gathering place.
  • Provide you with beautiful funeral print materials, including memorial folders, prayer cards and book marks. We also offer personalized note cards for you to acknowledge the emotional support you received from friends, co-workers and community members.
  • Provide an elegant hearse and funeral cars, as well as arrange for escorts.
  • Help in the selection and on-site arrangement of floral tributes.
  • Provide access to grief education and support materials, and referrals to counseling services.
  • Prepare all paperwork, including vital record statistics, permits, filing and obtaining death certificates, and assistance with life insurance, veteran’s benefits and Social Security claims.
We hope you will turn to us for compassionate care and impeccable service. Our pledge is to honor your loved one and family with dignity, respect and personal attention to every detail.
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