978-263-5333

470 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton MA 01720


Our Story

Our Story

Acton Funeral Home LLC. is a fourth generation family owned and operated business.


The former Martin and Doran Funeral Home on Lincoln Street, Maynard, was established in 1924 by native Maynardian, Herbert W. Martin.  Herbert's son-in-law John A. Doran was licensed and became a partner in the business after his honorable service in the US Army Quartermaster Corps Graves Registration Division.


Through the years, John's wife, Connie (Martin) Doran was instrumental in running the behind the scenes portions of the business, including book and record keeping, newspaper submissions, and regulatory compliance updates.


In 1961, John built the Acton Funeral Home on Massachusetts Avenue in Acton and through the years oversaw several expansions and additions to the facility here in Acton.


In 1984, John's daughter Kathleen Doran Boyle began her two year apprenticeship and completed the Massachusetts funeral director's licensing requirements in 1986.


In 2005, Kathleen's cousin Daniel J. White joined her at the funeral home. Dan completed his apprenticeship while attending

St. Anselm College and upon graduation furthered his education at the Funeral Institute of the Northeast obtaining his license in 2011.


In 2022, Dan purchased the business and is honored to be the fourth generation of the family to operate the funeral home.


Together, Dan and Kathy are dedicated to their family's legacy, We are especially proud of being the only continuously family operated funeral home in the area.  We're devoted to providing caring services and Thoughtful Guidance to an ever widening community beyond the original towns of Acton, Boxborough, Stow and Maynard.


The Thoughtful Guidance Difference

We are proud to embrace traditional values while embracing diversity and innovation in honoring the spirit and life of each person we serve. We offer a full selection of funeral, memorial and life celebration services, burial and cremation options. 

Why is helpful to have a funeral director involved in the process?
Because letting go of a loved one can be difficult and emotional. Options are often confusing.  Our full service philosophy offers complete care. You focus on one another as you prepare to say goodbye; we worry about the details.
Thoughtful Guidance: We help you understand all the options so you make decisions that are best for you:
  • Design the most fitting memorial or funeral service to honor your loved one's memory and pay tribute to their life achievements and experiences.
  • Select the most appropriate products, including a casket, burial vault, cremation urn, cemetery or mausoleum, to fit your budget and suit your needs and desires.
  • Write a fitting obituary to honor your loved one’s life experiences and social connections and assist you in the publication of the obituary in the newspaper(s) of your choice.
  • Create a Book of Memories™, a beautiful, permanent online memorial, where you and your friends can build a legacy of memories by archiving treasured photos and memories.
  • Welcome your family and friends to our funeral home for your planned services, including a viewing, visitation, funeral or memorial service.
  • Make all arrangements with regard to the services whether they are held at your place of worship, our funeral home, cemetery, or alternate gathering place.
  • Select beautiful funeral print materials, including memorial folders, prayer cards and book marks. We also offer personalized note cards for you to acknowledge the emotional support you received from friends, co-workers and community members.
  • Prepare all paperwork, including vital record statistics, permits, filing and obtaining death certificates, and assistance with life insurance, veteran’s benefits and Social Security claims.
We hope you will turn to us for compassionate care and impeccable service. Our pledge is to honor your loved one and family with respect and personal attention to every detail.
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