About Us

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We believe the foundation of the Kopicki family in funeral service came before elaborate funeral homes with the high tech conveniences of today. It rose out of necessity and safety concerns in a much more uncertain time. Bernard Kopicki cared for the dead in Poland in the 1800's. He and his family immigrated to America in the late 1800's, where he instilled the empathy and family values our family businesses stand for today.

Bernards son Alexander was a man of many interests and professions. He was a Grand Marshall at the dedication of St. Adalbert Church, a constable during prohibition, played baseball for the Chicago White Stockings (later became the Cubs) at the West Side Fair Grounds, was a gymnast, owned farms in Almond, Wisconsin and Northern Indiana, was a machinist, and was a member of many fraternal Polish and Slovak clubs and lodges. Alex began providing home funerals in 1909, four years after the death of his father, Bernard. He later established his first funeral home location on West 17th Street in Chicago, and expanded by buying out one of his competitors. At this location, the funeral home was in the front, the funeral carriages were in the back and the horses walked up a ramp to the second floor. The third floor, serviced by a block and tackle, brought hay that could be dropped down to the horses thru a chute. The horse head above the old stable door is still there today.

Alexander's son, Gerald A. Kopicki, purchased the funeral home at 21st and Paulina in 1934 and sold the 17th Street location. Gerald's vision, since many funeral homes were only storefronts and many of the area funeral directors were serving in the Armed Services during WWII., was to set up a centralized embalming facility. As well as handling his own funeral business, he helped other funeral homes with many embalmings, delivering casketed remains to each funeral location with his livery. Gerald and George, his son, built flower cars for their own and other funeral homes use.

George purchased the Kopicki Funeral Home and Livery Service from his father in 1968 and developed this entity into a thriving business employing 50 full and part-time employees. This business operated twelve hearses, four limousines and two 24 hour radio dispatched emergency service vehicles. At one time he serviced as many as 60 individual funeral homes with livery and embalming services. Three livery services were purchased by George in the 70's and 80's eliminating some of his competition.

In 1974, George purchased Herron & Sons Funeral Home in the historic Depot District of Berwyn. He renamed the funeral home to "Heritage" which incorporates a more appropriate name for the community. Kevin T. joined his father in 1983 to complete the fourth generation in the funeral business. In 1984 the Heritage Funeral Home location expanded and remodeled once again to include private parking, three beautifully appointed chapels, facilities for the handicapped, and a casket selection room.

In 1994, the Kopicki family experienced an unfortunate fire at the Heritage Funeral Home. George decided to further expand, remodel and update the facilities. Always with an eye on expansion, in 1984 he purchased Parkwyn Funeral Home. At that time, we also managed the Tower Home For Funerals after the death of Allen Schiefelbein Sr. In 2000, we expanded our business boundaries by adding cremation facilities and equipment to the Parkwyn facility. This expansion adapted the Kopicki Family Funeral Homes to an ever changing funeral service market. Berwyn Cicero Cremation Society and American Heritage Cremation were established to complement the funeral home locations and service Northern Illinois with professional low cost, dignified funeral and cremation services in a diverse social, religious and economic environment. The Tower Home for funerals was purchased in August of 2011 to regionally expand our family approach to funeral service.

Kevin's son, Eric T. could join the family business as early as 2018 marking the 5th generation of family funeral service.

Our Valued Staff

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Donita Greene

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What Our Families Are Saying...

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I thank you very much for the great and professional job. Special thanks to Kevin.

Everything was very good and helpful with everything. I will recommend with no question about it.

Kevin, Thank you for your help. Alan Swinger

A very nice, friendly, comfortable place to do business with. Kevin is always nice and helpful. Thank you. The Malarik Family

Sometimes, kindness is a small gesture that makes all the difference in the world. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated so very much. Thank you for all your help.

Mr Kevin great job with all the people working there what an excellent place and treat from start to finish. he was there even though it wasn't family. he make you feel like he is family. thank you so much for everything we will refer your place to anybody

SMr. Kopicki came to my home and explained everything. I liked having him come to my home because I was not able to go to the funeral home. Thank you for your help.

Kevin was very, very helpful dealing with and arranging our long distance needs during a difficult time.

Kevin was great from start to finish. He looked for any help that was available to my wife and I, and was in touch with us the whole way through.

Cremation services were helpful and respectful.

Thank you for all your services. Excellent!!

On the day of the funeral the very nice man that was with us all day of the funeral was very helpful, attentive, nice and patient. A wonderful man, very warm and friendly. Everyone was really impressed because he was super nice.

Thank you for your professionalism and working with us to have an affordable going home service for Shirley Franceschi. Everyone felt such peace and a sense of closure. Again our deepest appreciation. We will recommend your services to our church family.

Frank was an excellent help. He counseled my wife and placed the grief into a better perspective. The preparation of the body was excellent. The facilities at Heritage were clean and efficient for our needs.

We were very happy with all services and especially content with the preparation of our beloved Grandma. Personnel was kind and very friendly with children during visitation. Overall we were very happy with all of the arrangements.

Thank you for all your help during a very troubling time. The priest was excellent and comforted me greatly.

Kevin is excellent providing services. Thank you for being available at all times and working out with our busy schedule arranging services. We so appreciate it!

Kevin and his staff were so helpful and informed. You and your son and Tim took the time to answer all our questions. Not to mention, how you made things easier for me and my family at one of the most difficult times in our lives. We can't thank you enough. Speaking for me and my family, thank you for all your help.

Wonderful place to have working for you. Kevin was so helpful. Thanks again for everything.

Thank you for all your help.

I selected you because I had two other family services from you and all of us think that you're the best. Thank you very much.

Kevin was excellent and we appreciate all the help he gave us. Our sincerest thanks for helping us in such a hard time. May God Bless You and your helpers. The person who handled our service was great. We appreciate his prayers. Keep up the great work. God Bless You and your Family.

Kevin, You were wonderful helping me through Betty Cybulski's cemetery procedures. Thank you for your support when I needed it badly.

Thank you, your service was great!

Dear Kevin, As you know this was the first time going through this whole situation with the passing of Raymond Moran. I know I learned much working with you. Tim took alot of notes as well as I did. Thank you.

During the process of selecting a funeral home that does cremation, I chose Heritage because the recipient of my phone call (Kevin) was thoughtful enough to say "Sorry for your loss." That meant alot to me and said to me that this was more than just his business but that he cared. Kevin is truly a master at his craft. My experience overall (during this time of mourning) was very good. I would recommend Heritage to anyone.

Sometimes, kindness is a small gesture that makes all the difference in the world. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated so very much. Thank you for all your help.

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