Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Caring funeral and cremation services

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History of Duggan's Serra Mortuary

The Duggan tradition of serving families began in 1916 at Duggan & O'Reilly Co. on Valencia Street in San Francisco and continues today at Duggan's Serra Mortuary, Daly City, celebrating 40 Years at their newly remodeled facilities.

The Bud and Madeline Duggan family are very proud of their San Francisco heritage and have been helping families for the last 40 years at their beautiful and convenient Junipero Serra Blvd. location in Daly City. Bill, Maureen and Dan, the youngest at 9 years old, were all part of the Grand Opening celebration on April 21, 1963 and are still helping families through their grief. The Duggan Family is proud to be family owned, "Our family serving yours".

The first official record is in the San Francisco Directory 1889 as "Hagan & Schofield Undertaker", 507 Valencia Street, James and Joseph Hagan, George W. Schofield Undertakers and Embalmers. The San Francisco Directory 1892 reads: "Hagan Brothers Undertakers", 525 Valencia Street and 17 City Hall Avenue. The Duggan family roots began in 1902 when James hired William Duggan who had just been mustered out of the army (Spanish-American War) at the Presidio in San Francisco. He was a hack-driver, casket maker, gravedigger and all around handyman. He was willing to do any work and was mainly hired by James Hagen because of his experience and familiarity with horses. James owned a stable where he kept his horses and wagons for trips to the cemetery.

In 1903 Henrietta, James Hagan's youngest daughter married William Duggan shortly after her graduation from medical school at the University of California. William continued working in the livery business, later bought a horse and carriage and went into the taxi business, one of the first taxi services in San Francisco. William was issued a license as an embalmer in 1915 after a course of study. When automobiles were manufactured he bought a limousine and continued in the taxi business until he bought out William Green Undertakers in 1916.

At the age of 13, Edwin J. "Bud" Duggan began assisting his father at the family business in the city after school on Valencia Street. He later attended the San Francisco College of Embalming graduating with a degree of Doctor of Mortuary Science on June 28th, 1935. Bud continued working with his father at the family business until he opened Duggan's Serra Mortuary with his wife, Madeline and children, Bill, Maureen, Patty and Dan.

In the beginning the family had no employees and did all the work themselves. Today Duggan's has grown to be the largest family owned firm in Northern California.

In 1972, Madeline's brother, William Healey affectionately called "Uncle Willie " by family and staff alike, joined the staff at Duggan's Serra after retiring from the U.S. Postal Service working with the staff and family until his second retirement in 1997. He was an intricate part of the success of Duggan's Serra Mortuary.

Now a Duggan tradition, the giving of a cooked turkey began when Bud and Madeline wanted to do something special for close family friends. Madeline began preparing turkey's and delivering them to the family homes. The turkey tradition continues today.

At a time when most funeral homes are part of national franchises, the fourth generation, Bill, Maureen and Dan Duggan along with an exceptional staff continue the tradition of a local family owned business serving families at their time of need. As Dan stated, "Being a funeral director is a wonderful ministry we are all very proud to be a part of. Families appreciate when we are able to give of ourselves as compassionate people and assist them through one of the most trying times of their lives. We appreciate families entrusting us with the care of their loved ones and we do our best to leave them with a very positive feeling about how their services were conducted, hopefully making the tribute to the person they love a beautiful and meaningful time." From our family to yours, thank you for the past 40 years of trust and confidence in our family, Bill, Maureen and Dan Duggan.