About Us

Saunders Funeral Home & Crematory is located at 1745 South Eastwood Drive in Woodstock, Illinois. The funeral home operated crematory is also located in Woodstock. Even though this location is new, the Saunders Family that owns Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home in Harvard will provide the same excellence of service in Woodstock that they have provided in the Harvard community and surrounding area for many decades.

In the 1890’s the firm of W.A. Hochchild operated a furniture and undertaking establishment on Harvard’s main street. Purchased in 1921 by S.E. Betzer, the building was then remodeled to three stories. Then, in the early 1930’s, Edward M. Schutt and his partner, Z.F. “Dick” Cerny bought the business.

In 1938, Schutt and Cerny purchased a family residence at the firm’s current location in Harvard. The residence, which had been owned by an engineer for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, was soon converted into a funeral home.

In 1949, Mr. Cerny sold his interest in the business to L.E. “Butch” McFarlin and L. Ben Saunders. Then, in 1952, the new firm of Schutt, McFarlin, & Saunders Furniture and Funeral Home remodeled the building in order to provide even better service to the families of the Harvard community.

Butch McFarlin died in 1968, and Edward Schutt retired 2 years later.  The business remained strong, as L. Ben Saunders and Keith F. Hoffman (owner of Hoffman Funeral Home) consolidated their businesses to form the Saunders & Hoffman Funeral Home. Then, in 1973 a large renovating project at the site in Harvard was completed. The project resulted in the tripling of the usable area for visitations and funerals for the Harvard community.

In March of 1976, Kevin B. McFarlin (son of Butch McFarlin), began his apprenticeship for his Funeral Director License. After obtaining his license, he continued his profession at the funeral home. Keith Hoffman died in 1980, and soon after, Lynn Saunders (son of L. Ben Saunders) pursued his interest in the funeral profession and became licensed in 1984.

 Kevin and Lynn decided to carry on their families’ tradition in funeral service. On April 1, 1985, the Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, Ltd. was formed with L. Ben Saunders. In 1990, Kevin McFarlin died and in 1995, L. Ben Saunders died after 46 years of service to the community. 

In 1999 Lynn’s son, Michael Saunders, joined the firm after obtaining his Funeral Director’s license. On December 27, 2012, Michael purchased the business from his father after which Lynn retired from the Funeral profession after 30 years of service.

After 20 years in funeral service, Michael purchased a property in Woodstock to transform into a funeral home where he will continue the same traditions...a tradition of excellent service and unwavering care, and a daily commitment to the needs of the families and of this community.