Our Heritage

Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home began as a partnership in 1917 by two brothers, Carl H. Krienen and William J. Krienen. The company, at that time, was known as Krienen Brothers Funeral Home. In 1917, Krienen Brothers was located at 1216 Conrad Street in Wilmington. In 1925, the building at 400 North Broom Street, in Wilmington, was purchased.

In 1928, Krienen Brothers was incorporated in the State of Delaware. It was also during 1928 that 34 West Sixth Street, in New Castle, was purchased. In 1964, the corporation was acquired by Carl's sons, William J. Krienen, II and Carl H. Krienen, Jr.

In 1970, Russell O. Griffith, owner of Griffith Mortuary in Elsmere, Delaware, was ready for retirement. He sought a buyer, who had professional expertise and would genuinely care for the families he had served. On June 1, 1970, Krienen Brothers Funeral Home purchased Griffith Mortuary. Since then, the corporate name has been Krienen-Griffith Funeral Homes. At that time, Mr. Griffith was appointed Vice-President.

In 1972, Winfred B. Dahling, owner of Dahling Funeral Home in Elsmere and a long-time colleague and good friend of the Krienen family, liquidated his business and semi-retired. Mr. Dahling, confident in the caring nature and professionalism of the Krienen's, turned over the records of the families he had always served to Krienen-Griffith. He was appointed Vice-President at that time. Until the time of their deaths, Mr. Griffith and Mr. Dahling servedKrienen-Griffith.

The second generation of Krienen's successfully operated the business by providing funeral services for the families of Delaware for over thirty years. Upon the death of Bill in 1993 and the subsequent retirement of Carl in 1994, the goal of the business to remain independent and family-owned was achieved when William J. Krienen, III acquired Krienen-Griffith Funeral Homes. This began our famiies third generation of commitment and service to our community.

Bill has enhanced the business in many ways. He has not only expanded the facilities, but now provides the services of licensed preplanning consultants to an ongoing in-house After-Care coordinator for post funeral support. The funeral industry has expanded, and Krienen-Griffith provides a wide variety of services, including:

- Comprehensive Funeral Preplanning Program

- Full-services Funerals — Traditional Cremations — Immediate need cremations — Veterans Tributes — Police, Fire and EMT Tributes — Contemporary Memorials — Regional, National and International Transfers

- Compassionate and thorough After-Care Program

- Financing & Insurance Consultations

- Personalized options including keepsakes, monuments, and memorials

"The funeral is a declaration that a death has occurred. It is also testimony to a life that has been lived. Therefore it becomes an experience of value as it meets the needs of those who mourn."