Our History

The original funeral home in Oakfield was located on Main Street in what is now the Village Offices.  It was owned by Emmery Root.  Ellis Burdett worked for Emmery and upon Root's death in 1940, Burdett tried to purchase the firm.  However, an agreement was never made.  With the closing of Root's firm, Ellis opened the Burdett Funeral Home on Maple Avenue, which was across the street from our current location.

Our current location was built circa 1828 and was the office of Dr. Messinger from approximately 1905-1944, when Ellis Burdett purchased the building, thus moving the funeral home to 11 Maple Avenue.  In 1950, Ellis' son-in-law, LeRoy "Bud" Sanford joined the firm, renaming it Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home.

The partners sold the firm to Larry Davis in 1969 who operated the funeral home until he sold it to Michael Zakes in 1975. 

In 2009, Mike and Diane Zakes sold the funeral home to Jim Smith of H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home in Batavia, and in October of 2012, Mr. Smith transferred ownership of the firm to his two sons, Justin D. Calarco-Smith, Joshua J. Smith and his longtime trusted friend and employee, Randy W. McIntire.  The partners are joined in the business by Steven L. Johnson. Together we have over 115 years of funeral service experience.