Our Stories

We stand behind our reputation and will continue to serve our community. Our family business has flourished for over 169 years by continually adapting and always keeping watch over the details.                     Jim and Sarah, father-daughter, are pleased to share some of their family history, as they know it, here.

The first video, made in 2022, tells how women have come to be an integral part of James Reid and the funeral profession. In the second video, of October 2021, James Media production company followed Jim and Sarah into the upper floors of the original location. These unused areas hold fascinating history and dusty beauty. Jim recalls his earliest memories and Sarah retells some family history in this video.  


The Baby Behind the BRand

In our fourth generation, The James Reid Funeral Home (and Furniture Stores) is fortunate to know of our founder's life story, the original James Reid. His story is told here, from arriving from Ireland as a baby to the end of his life at seventy-one in 1900.

Learn More >



Page Divider



The Fred Reid Story

The youngest son of James' 12 sons and daughters, Fred Reid grew to be a Kingston favourite. Many stories are still told, and added to here by his great-granddaughter, Sarah Reid Hedberg.

LEARN MORE > 
Page Divider

Father Was a Funeral Man

Here is the first of James W. Reid's memoirs.  Written in 1986, it tells of the character and idiosyncrasies of Fred C. Reid, the father of the writer, James W. Reid. Here is a great man, and an unusual profession, in a time not so long ago.

Learn More >



Page Divider



Hot Summer Funerals

Running a funeral has its risks, parrots among them. A real tale of life at a funeral, by James W. Reid. 

Learn More >
<< BACK