ABOUT US

Our Owner

Rich McFillin’s journey to ownership of John F. Fluehr & Sons Funeral Home is rooted in family, faith, and a deep respect for tradition — values that mirror the very foundation of the firm itself.

Like John F. Fluehr, who founded the funeral home in 1898, Rich is one of eleven children. Growing up in a large family in Northeast Philadelphia, he learned early the importance of compassion, responsibility, and caring for others — qualities that would later define his professional calling.

Rich’s introduction to funeral service began during his college years, when he started working in a crematory. What began as a job quickly became a vocation. He was drawn to the meaningful role funeral service plays in helping families navigate life’s most difficult moments with dignity and support.

He attended La Salle University before pursuing his Mortuary Science degree at Mercer County Community College, formally dedicating himself to the profession. Over the years, Rich developed a deep appreciation not just for the technical aspects of funeral service, but for its sacred trust — the responsibility to guide families with empathy, clarity, and respect.

In 2020, Rich expanded his service to families by purchasing MJ Lavish Limos, ensuring that transportation — an often-overlooked part of memorial services — would be handled with the same professionalism and care he believes every detail deserves.

In 2025, Rich was honored to continue one of Philadelphia’s most respected funeral traditions when he purchased John F. Fluehr & Sons Funeral Home from the wife of the founder’s grandson. For Rich, this was more than a business transition — it was the continuation of a legacy built on faith, service, and family values.

Today, as owner, Rich remains committed to preserving the heritage and reputation established in 1898 while thoughtfully guiding the firm into its next chapter. He considers it a privilege to serve the families of Bucks County and the surrounding communities, carrying forward a tradition that began — fittingly — with another one of eleven children who believed deeply in caring for others.

Our History

1929

A partnership was formed known as John F. Fluehr & Sons. Sons John Jr and Theodore partnered with their father in the family business.

1930

John Jr. married and opened a funeral home in Mayfair in the developing northeast section of Philadelphia.

1933

John F. Fluehr died in 1933 at the age of 55. His son, Theodore, continued to operate the funeral home located in Kensington and John Jr. the Mayfair location.

1937

John Fluehr Jr. built a new funeral home at its present location 3301 Cottman Ave to accommodate the growing business in northeast Philadelphia.
He had four sons, three of whom joined the business, John F. III, Theodore R., and Richard J. Fluehr.

1988

Mr. Fluehr turned the day-to-day operation of the business over to his three sons while still remaining active in the business.

1992

Mr. Fluehr died at the age of 87.

1994

John F. Fluehr III died at age 62.

2022

Richard J. Fluehr died at age 62.

2025

Richard McFillin purchases the funeral home from the Fluehr family with the intention to keep the business operating as it always has.

Our Home, Your Community

John F. Fluehr & Sons has been at 3301 Cottman Avenue since 1937, when John Fluehr Jr. built the funeral home that stands here today to serve the growing families of Mayfair and the broader Northeast. What began as a modest operation serving largely Irish and Catholic families in a newly developing neighborhood has, over nearly nine decades, grown into a funeral home that reflects Northeast Philadelphia itself — diverse, resilient, and deeply community-rooted.

Our facility is one of the most thoughtfully appointed in the region. We offer a beautiful non-denominational chapel, multiple staterooms to accommodate gatherings of all sizes, a complete casket and urn showroom, private consultation rooms, and on-site parking for the convenience of every family we serve. We are also fully handicap accessible.

Four generations of the Fluehr family have served this community. Today, under the new leadership of Rich McFillin and our dedicated staff, that legacy of care continues — not just for the Irish Catholic families of decades past, but for the Ukrainian and Russian Orthodox families of Bustleton, the Dominican and Puerto Rican families of Oxford Circle and Rhawnhurst, the Chinese and Vietnamese families of the lower Northeast, and every family that calls Northeast Philadelphia home. We are honored to be part of your community, and we are here whenever you need us.

(215) 672-6262