New York’s funeral homes have always held remarkable stories—some solemn, some surprising, all deeply human. And unearthing old stories from the colorful early days of funeral service in NYC is one of my writing pleasures. This month in American Funeral Director, I explore one of the most colorful: Winterbottom & Sons on Sixth Avenue. It’s a funeral home whose history is as vivid as the Tenderloin around it. From gamblers and jockeys to the funeral of a beloved dog, these forgotten corners of funeral service are such fun to explore.

This month in American Funeral Director, I revisit one of the most vivid chapters: Winterbottom & Sons, a Sixth Avenue funeral home whose history was as colorful as the Tenderloin that surrounded it. In an era when the neighborhood pulsed with jockeys, gamblers, theatrical personalities, and the city’s more precarious characters, Winterbottom became an unlikely anchor of dignity and ritual.

From wakes that drew crowds around the block to the funeral of a beloved dog, the firm’s stories reveal a New York that was gritty, lively, and endlessly human. Exploring these early undertakers—who served everyone from society families to the district’s demi‑monde—reminds me how rich and surprising funeral‑service history can be. These are the stories I love bringing back into the light.

If you are a subscriber, you can read the story in American Funeral Director or on Kates-Boylston’s website.