Hagan Funeral Home has been an integral part of the Media community since 1954 when it was originally family-owned by the Rigby and Harting families. When Bill Hagan took over in 1983, it was more than a business move; it was an opportunity for his family to stay connected to the town they call home.
Running a funeral home is not a typical 9-to-5 job. As Bill points out, it’s a 24/7 commitment: “Thanksgiving dinner, got to get up from the table and go to work. Christmas morning, Christmas Eve, Easter.” Despite the demands of the business, Bill ensured that his family did not live above the funeral home, instead choosing a separate residence for some degree of work-life balance.
To Bill’s surprise, the younger two of Bill’s four children, Maureen and Mike, chose to join the family business. “I didn’t recruit them,” Bill shares. “But they chose to follow these footsteps, and I’m very happy they did.” Both bring modern perspectives and skills, a shift that Bill calls a reversal of roles from when he guided them as their father. Mike takes care of the physical things and Maureen teaches him to adapt to an increasingly digital world. “Now they’re dragging me into the year 2025,” Bill fondly remarked.
Running a funeral home is a unique calling. Bill describes it as a “corporal work of mercy,” a Catholic value instilled by his father who worked in the funeral industry. “My father impressed upon us; you have to have empathy for people. I tell Maureen and Mike every day, while this is something we do daily, the people we serve are going through it for the first time. We must treat it as the most important event in their life. Somebody that they love and care for passed away. We do our best to make the experience for them as manageable as possible and as respectful as they want it to be.” From guiding grieving families through tough decisions to ensuring every service detail is flawless, their commitment to empathy remains true throughout generations.
For Bill, having Maureen and Mike by his side is more than a professional advantage. Seeing his grandchildren play outside the funeral home or in the viewing room after school while their parents juggle work and family responsibilities is a reminder of the lasting bonds of family and community in a time when family businesses are increasingly rare, even in Media. “The world changed so much… What we have, it’s pretty special,” he says.
Five generations of Hagans have called Media home: “Born and raised, went to school here, worshiped here, sports, athletics, everything.” The Hagan family’s ties to Media extend beyond their business; Bill’s sister, Joan, served as the town council president for over 30 years. Bill says, “We always grew up with the idea that you need to give back, and that's the most important thing. Media is the kind of town where you can still give back and feel like you’re making a difference.” This philosophy of giving back and supporting the community is evident in the funeral home’s sponsorships of local events, little league teams, ball park fence ads, and program books—what Bill says are attributes of “small-town America” that still exist in Media.
Bill speaks fondly of Media as a unique and welcoming place: “When new people come into Media, they feel like the town’s adopted them. If you can call Media home, you’re a lucky person. It’s full of good people. And it’s just a special place, a special community, no question about it.”
The Hagan family’s legacy is that of empathy, adaptability, and community. As Bill reflects on his journey, he acknowledges that his children are carrying the torch by honoring the past while embracing the future. In doing so, Hagan Funeral Home continues to serve Media with compassion and care. For Bill Hagan, his children, and their children, Media isn’t just where they work. It’s where they live, love, and make a difference.
Running a funeral home is a unique calling - a corporal work of mercy