About Us

Funeral service in Dryden, NY started sometime before 1880 as an "Undertaking Business" owned and operated by a cabinet maker named Galusha Cole Sweet. The business was in the "Bartholomew Block" at what is now 6 East Main Street.  After January 25, 1894 he conducted business out of a furniture store located at what is now 23 West Main Street.  Although Mr. Sweet became known as G.C. Sweet, he was also known by many as "Lute Sweet".  He lived in the house directly north of the Southworth Library until having the house at 55 West Main Street built by a Mr. Bartholomew in 1883.  At first he maintained the business at the "uptown location" since he was established there.  People had the funerals at their residence or in one of the churches.  Later, perhaps near the turn of the century, he began to invite people to hold funerals at his residence.  With this beginning, funeral service has developed into the intensive service-oriented business that is operated today and since 1920, by the Perkins Family.

As a young man, G.C. Sweet worked in a buggy factory in Cortland, NY and there learned the trade and art of making buggies and wheels.  He later constructed the wheel hearse that was used until the 1920's.  It had wheels for the good weather and converted to bobs for the snow season.  A photograph of this vehicle hangs in the office of the funeral home and the rear doors are used on a cabinet in the funeral home.  Shortly before his death, Mr. Sweet purchased a special hearse for children's funerals.  "It was never used and sold in the settling of his estate", writes his daughter, Grace Sweet Bryant.  Miss Allene Sweet, another daughter of Galusha Cole Sweet was married to Clarkson T. Davis who had learned the undertaking business from Mr. Sweet even though his own father was an undertaker in Slaterville, NY.  G.C. Sweet died in 1904 after straining to lift a heavy casket and body through a doorway in a house on South Street in the Village of Dryden.  Clarkson T. Davis carried on the business while living on the north side of Main Street in the first house beyond the railroad tracks.  Soon he purchased the 55 West Main Street property (from his mother-in-law, Mrs. G.C. Sweet) with its large house and barn and a team of "high spirited horses".  For a time he continued to use the uptown location for embalming.

Clarkson T. Davis sold the property and business to Ernest M. Perkins in 1920.  In the business archives is the original receipt for a down payment of two hundred dollars dated March 9, 1920.  Mr. Perkins had learned the undertaking trade at Renouard Training School in New York City and had practiced a short while in Corning, NY.  There he met his wife to be, Josephine DeWitt.  Grandma Perkins told me on several occasions of the trip here by train from Corning.  It seems that my grandfather, E.M. Perkins had made his purchase and came ahead to learn the business and the community for a month from Mr. Davis.  During this month he lived in the Dryden Hotel.  After Mr. and Mrs. Davis moved from the funeral home, approximately October 1, 1920, E.M. sent the train fare to his bride of fourteen months, a registered nurse, who soon arrived at the Lehigh Valley Station on Elm Street.  Mr. Davis went on the road selling caskets for two years and later settled in Ithaca, NY where he became a partner in the Baldwin-Davis Funeral Home.

E.M. and Josephine D. Perkins were the parents of my late father, Paul Palmer Perkins and my late uncle DeWitt Ray Perkins. After high school, Paul entered Simmons School of Embalming in Syracuse and became a licensed undertaker in June of 1943.  Dad achieved his embalming license in July of 1946 after a three year tour with the US Navy, which took him to the Pacific War Theater.  Returning safely from the war also afforded Dad the opportunity to become married to the "girl across the street", Joyce Elizabeth McKinney who was the daughter of R.A. McKinney, DVM and Helen Steele McKinney.  Dr. McKinney was a veterinarian in Dryden and vicinity.  Paul P., as we fondly refer to him, was associated with his father and became the owner of the business in 1953.  Although my father had become the owner, Grandpa continued to supervise and direct during retirement.  He died in July of 1956 with my mother, myself and Grandma Perkins present.  I ran and got Dad, but as we returned across the driveway, death had come to Grandpa Perk in his 70th year.  Grandma Perk died April 1, 1978 in her 86th year.

Paul P. and wife Joyce M. Perkins are the parents of two "baby boomer" sons -- myself, Bradley Paul Perkins born March 11, 1951 and a licensed funeral director since 1977, and my brother, Mahlon Robert Perkins, J.D., born March 29, 1948 who is an attorney who practiced law in the Village of Dryden for 40 years.  Mahlon now works for the New York State Unified Court System in Ithaca, NY. In 1983, I married the former Kathleen Ann Fitzgibbons,  We have two sons, Daniel Paul and Devin Patrick, and a daughter, Kathleen Elizabeth.  Mahlon R. Perkins is married to the former Danielle Bishop, and they reside with their family in the Town of Dryden.  He has two daughters, Logan Elizabeth and Anne Webster, and two sons, Jack Paul and Alexander Steele.

From 1929 to 1976 Perkins Funeral Home provided emergency ambulance service to the community and vicinity.  The ambulance operations were transferred to Neptune Hose Co. No. 1 of Dryden in 1976 after state regulations mandated extensive training and elaborate equipment that was not practical for a small company to provide.

In 1930 another funeral business was established by a kind and well-thought-of gentleman named Harold A. Strong.  His business was on Library Street in a converted Episcopal Church.  Mr. Strong also served Dryden families until retiring and selling his business to Paul P. Perkins effective January 1, 1968.  At that time, Mr. Strong and his wife, Helen, moved to Norwich, NY where the enjoyed retirement until their deaths in the 1980's.

In 1978 I formed a crematory corporation and adopted the business name of Cayuga Crematorium Incorporated.  The crematory operation serves our funeral home and several other funeral homes in a wide area.  1982 was the beginning of Dryden Monument Company which is owned by the funeral home corporation and is now located at the property west of the funeral home where for nearly a century stood a feed mill and farm supply store.

The funeral home, at 55 West Main Street, has undergone many changes, enlargements and redecorations.  First was the introduction of central heat and then electricity and telephone as those services became available.  The original building plans are part of the archives.  Even 133 years later, all funeral home operations are on one floor level.  In 1992 I supervised a complete redecoration and a major expansion of the facility.  The inclusion of handicap facilities and a larger chapel area have been major accomplishments that are designed to offer the finest funeral facility available to those families who, in the most tender times of their lives, entrust our staff to care for their dead and assist them in a meaningful memorialization of the life that was lived.

Perkins Funeral Home, Inc. has five full time employees which operate the funeral business, crematorium, and the monument operation.  It serves  Dryden and all surrounding communities.  We are often called to serve families from miles away because of a prior relationship when the family lived in Dryden or a surrounding community.

Today, "Brad" Perkins is the President of the corporation and oversees all operations. His father, Paul P. Perkins, passed away on June 20, 2008 after more than 62 years in funeral service. Paul's wife, Joyce, remains active in every aspect of the business. She has unselfishly devoted her ability and compassion and remains an essential and valuable part of the entire presentation of our profession to the public that we serve.

Currently in addition to my parents and myself, Gary J. Tyrrell, a licensed funeral director and Tompkins County native, assists Brad in all aspects of the business. Dennis Totman serves the funeral home, crematorium and monument business in a variety of ways.  Pamela Morgan also serves the funeral home, crematorium, and monument company as an administrative assistant.

While we all recognize changes in our lives, one thing remains constant.  Our human race seeks and desires to find ways that we will be remembered.  Funeral service is the stage that contains a set from which we can reflect and appreciate our past, honor our forbearers and with modest ceremony, celebrate their passing to a life eternal.  More than anything, I recognize that we are frail and live but a short time in the spans of this life.  In eternity, we live forever.  While we are in this life, we must remain dedicated to the betterment of humanity, to the service to those in need, whatever their heritage or lot in life.  It is certain that we would ask no less of others when it becomes our turn to exit this life and enter into life eternal.  Therefore, I offer you our continued commitment to service with love, peace and healing for all, forever.

-Brad Perkins

--That all shall be provided with a respectable funeral, regardless of their means.

--That people of all faiths will be served.

--That all staff members should be courteous, dignified, and considerate.

--That all prices shall be shown in plain figures, and that every family be given an unrestrained freedom of choice.

--That we will constantly adhere to professional ethics and a code of unselfish service to our clients.

--That people should be encouraged to pre-plan their services.

Perkins Funeral Home, Inc. will provide a funeral service sensitive to the needs of your family. We offer traditional religious funeral services as well as contemporary services of remembrance. All types of services have the option of including viewing the deceased prior to interment or cremation. The links below further describe some of the services which we provide.

We are spirits • That bodies should be lent us so long as they can afford us pleasure • assist us in acquiring knowledge • or in doing good to our fellowman • is a kind and benevolent act of God ••â When they become unfit for these purposes, and afford us pain instead of pleasure • and instead of an aid become an incumbrance • it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may depart from them. • Death is that way ••• It is as if our friend and we were invited to a houseparty, which is to last forever. • His chair was ready first, and he has gone before us. • We could not all conveniently start together • And we should not be grieved at this, since we some day will follow, and know where to find him. ••• 

-Ben Franklin

Most families find the traditional funeral service to be the most satisfying way to honor the deceased.  At Perkins Funeral Home we are able to assist you in creating a customized traditional funeral service that will help you to honor the wishes of your loved one and meet the needs and desires of surviving family members.  

Typically, the traditional service includes the following events: 

• Arrangement conference with funeral professional and family
• Professional care of the deceased
• Family Viewing Hours (Private Visitation)
• Calling Hours (Public Visitation)
• Funeral at the Funeral Home or at desired place of worship
• Interment with Graveside Committal Service

A more detailed description of the above list includes the following: 

A licensed funeral professional removes the deceased from the place of death and transports the remains by professional funeral hearse to the funeral home.  The director arranges for a time to meet with the family.  At this conference, biographical details necessary for the obituary and the death certificate are obtained.  The family's wishes and the type of service are determined, clergy or service leaders are contacted, cemetery arrangements are made, and other necessary paperwork is reviewed.  At this time the funeral counselor and the family compile and word process an appropriate obituary and death notice to be sent to the newspapers of the family's choice.  Prayer cards or memorial folders, acknowledgement cards, a casket, a burial vault and/or an urn and urn vault are selected. The funeral director completes the remaining paperwork and helps coordinate events between the clergy and the cemetery. 

Each family is invited to the funeral home for a private viewing.  Following this, the family normally leaves and returns later to greet their friends for the public viewing or calling hours.  Calling hours are traditionally held from 7-9 PM but maybe held at other times which are convenient for the family.  Some families choose not to hold visitation at all. 

The funeral or service of remembrance will be held the next day at the funeral home or at the families desired place of worship. If the family has chosen ground interment, a procession is organized to the cemetery, where a committal service is held, which may include military honors if the deceased is a veteran. After the burial, some families desire to hold a non-supervised reception at the place of worship, various community centers, or at a private home. 

There are many variations of the traditional service. Perkins Funeral Home, Inc. prides itself in being able to provide a meaningful service for your loved one.

A popular variation of the traditional funeral service is to have the visitation or calling hours on the same day as the funeral.  With our large chapel facilities, this is easily accomplished at Perkins Funeral Home, Inc.  Most families find the traditional funeral service to be the most satisfying way to honor the deceased.  At Perkins Funeral Home we are able to assist you in creating a customized traditional funeral service that will help you to honor the wishes of your loved one and meet the needs and desires of surviving family members.  Typically, the traditional service includes the following events: 

• Arrangement conference with funeral professional and family
• Professional care of the deceased
• Family Viewing Hours (Private Visitation)
• Calling Hours (Public Visitation)
• Funeral at the Funeral Home or at desired place of worship
• Interment with Graveside Committal Service   

A more detailed description of the above list includes the following: 

A licensed funeral professional removes the deceased from the place of death and transports the remains by professional funeral hearse to the funeral home.  The director arranges for a time to meet with the family.  At this conference, biographical details necessary for the obituary and the death certificate are obtained.  The family's wishes and the type of service are determined, clergy or service leaders are contacted, cemetery arrangements are made, and other necessary paperwork is reviewed.  At this time the funeral counselor and the family compile and word process an appropriate obituary and death notice to be sent to the newspapers of the family's choice.  Prayer cards or memorial folders, acknowledgement cards, a casket, a burial vault and/or an urn and urn vault are selected. The funeral director completes the remaining paperwork and helps coordinate events between the clergy and the cemetery. 

Each family is invited to the funeral home for a private viewing.  Following this, the family normally leaves and returns later to greet their friends for the public viewing or calling hours.  When the public visitation and funeral service are on the same day, the public visitation or calling hours occurs directly prior to the funeral. 

If the family has chosen ground interment, a procession is organized to the cemetery, where a committal service is held, which may include military honors if the deceased is a veteran.  After the burial, some families desire to hold a non-supervised reception at the place of worship, various community centers, or at a private home. 

There are many variations of the traditional service. Perkins Funeral Home, Inc. prides itself in being able to provide a meaningful service for your loved one.

This type of service involves cremating the deceased with a limited amount of preparation. We have found that many people desire that the remains be bathed and dressed, and that a family member be able to identify their loved one prior to delivery to the crematorium. Below are the most common choices that families choose when selecting immediate cremation. 

Calling Hours and Memorial Service 

A licensed funeral professional removes the deceased from the place of death and transports the remains by professional funeral hearse to the funeral home. The director arranges for a time to meet with the family. At this conference, biographical details necessary for the obituary and the death certificate are obtained. The family's wishes and the type of service are determined, clergy or service leaders are contacted, cemetery arrangements are made, and other necessary paperwork is reviewed. At this time the funeral counselor and the family compile and word process an appropriate obituary and death notice to be sent to the newspapers of the family's choice. Prayer cards or memorial folders, acknowledgement cards, a cremation casket or alternative container, an urn and possibly an urn vault are selected. The funeral director completes the remaining paperwork and helps coordinate events between the clergy and the cemetery. 

Some families opt not to have any calling hours and just desire to have a memorial service. Following the memorial service, a procession proceeds to the cemetery where a Committal Service and burial occur. In some cases the family chooses to take the cremated remains with them and keep them, possibly burying them at a later time. 

No Services 

It is the desire of some people to be immediately cremated with no services. Perkins Funeral Home, Inc. does not encourage this but is happy to offer the service to families who desire it. We feel that some type of service and viewing is needed for closure, as it is a significant part of the grieving process. 

The remains of the deceased are transported to the funeral home and placed in a cremation container. Some families choose view the deceased briefly before the cremation process begins. A paid obituary is sometimes submitted to the newspapers, other times a simple unpaid notice of death is submitted. The funeral director and the family meet to complete all of the necessary paperwork, including the cremation authorization form. Some families select an urn and some select an urn vault. Burial is private and at the convenience of the family. If a Committal Service is desired, the funeral director can help the family arrange this and supervise the burial. 

Of course all families choose to do things differently, Perkins Funeral Home, Inc. is devoted to helping you customize these services so that we can provide what you desire.