Our History

Darroch Cremation & Funeral Tributes, Inc. was established by the late James A. Darroch a pioneer funeral director, who came to Woodlawn from California, PA. in 1915. James A. Darroch began his business at 273 Franklin Ave., operated a branch in West Aliquippa for a while and then combined them at 658 Franklin Ave. about 1940. His two sons, James J. and Thomas A. Darroch joined him in the business after World War II and became partners in the early 1950’s. 

At the time James J. and Thomas A. joined their father in the family business; funeral services were held out of the private homes of the deceased, so little more than a store front was needed by the funeral directors. It wasn’t until the early 1950’s that most families started having calling hours and services at the funeral home. When that started funeral homes were forced to expand their facilities. Specially-constructed buildings for the business were not common, but that didn’t stop the Darrochs, and in 1964 they moved to their current location at 2640 Mill Street., Aliquippa. 

In 1967 Thomas A. Darroch, while still a partner in the business was killed in an airplane crash in Aurora, Ind., while en route to tour a casket factory. After Thomas untimely death James J. along with his son Michael operated the funeral home and continued in the family business together until James J. retired in 1985. Michael Darroch continued operating the family business alone until he decided to retire in 1996.

Understanding the traditions established by his family, Mike searched for a successor who would be sure to carry on the traditions and quality of service the community had grown accustom to and decided to entrust the family business to Paul L. Henney Jr., who was also a third-generation funeral director. The Henney family, who stared their 1st funeral home in 1916, started in Carnegie and eventually settled in Bethel Park, PA. Shortly after taking ownership Paul L. Henney, Jr. and Edward F. Latkovic entrusted the daily operations of the funeral home to Robert E. (Bob) Barrett who since has become owner and is now solely responsible for the daily operations. Bob has maintained the same quality of service and standards established by the Darroch family and has taken the already successful business to a new level of service all with the help of Michael Darroch, who remained as part of the staff until his death in November of 2018. The focus of Darroch Cremation & Funeral Tributes remains the same; assisting our families in creating a meaningful, moving tribute to their loved ones and after a funeral with grief recovery and finalizing the many details that need attended to after a funeral.