The Story of Whitting Funeral Home

Beginning in November 1940, Strettle F. Whitting (known to many as "Frank" or "Boo") conducted his first funeral for Mrs. Carpenter (which was a cremation, cremation rate in the US in 1940 was less than 4%). He conducted the funeral in his mother's home on 41 Nassau Ave. in Glen Cove.



Circa 1930s: 41 Nassau Ave., Glen Cove - The Birthplace of S.F. Whitting Funeral Director.

Strettle graduated from New York School of Embalming in 1938, followed by a one year apprenticeship with Frank E. Campbell "The Funeral Chapel", the most prominent funeral establishment in New York City, known for handling the funeral arrangements of celebrities and politicians.

Following his apprenticeship, he earned his license as a New York State Embalmer and Undertaker. Frank married Muriel in 1941 and continued working for himself and other local funeral directors.

In 1942, seeing the growing tensions in Europe, he decided to join the Merchant Marine's in service to his country during World War II. Frank served aboard the hospital ship, SS Betty Zane in the Mediterranean Base sector of the European Theater. He was its Ensign/Pharmacist Mate.

In 1946, following his service, Frank returned home to open his first location at 240 Sea Cliff Avenue in Sea Cliff, known at the time as "S.F. Whitting Funeral Home".

S.F. Whitting Funeral Home - 240 Sea Cliff Avenue 1946-1958.

Due to the growing demand of his services, Frank moved the business to its current location at 300 Glen Cove Avenue in Glen Head in 1958. He purchased the land from Mr. Gerlich, owner of Gerlich Inn Restaurant. Conveniently located at the intersection of Glen Head, Sea Cliff and Glen Cove. Five years later, Frank Incorporated the Business and it officially became Whitting Funeral Home Inc.

Construction of Whitting Funeral Home - 300 Glen Cove Avenue in Glen Head.

The Next Generation: Scott and Stret

Scott and Stret with their mother, Muriel.

Frank's sons, Strettle Jr. "Stret" and Scott graduated from North Shore High School in 1961 and began working for their father in the funeral home. They began as apprentices and were both licensed in 1963.

Stret attended Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in Syracuse in 1963. Stret ran the business in 1962 while Scott was going to school and then swapped the next year.

Scott attended American Academy (currently American Academy McAllister Institute). Scott joined the US Army in 1963. He served as a Green Beret in the Vietnam War, and separated from service in 1967 after years of distinguished service. 

Frank retired from the business in 1967 upon Scott's return from his service in the military.



Third Generation: David and Strettle "Codge"

3 Generations of Whitting Family Funeral Directors (from left to right: Scott Whitting, Strettle"Frank" Whitting, Strettle "Stret" Whitting, David Whitting, Strettle "Codge" Whitting.

Strettle F. Whitting III "Codge" and David joined the family business in 1987.

Codge attended SUNY Farmingdale from 1988-89. Following his graduation, Codge completed his residency at IJ Moris in Hempstead NY, learning Jewish traditions for six months, and finished his residency at Francis P. Devine Funeral Home in Oyster Bay. He became a licensed funeral director in 1990. Upon completing his residency, he came back to work for his father and uncle. Codge and Dave officially became owners of Whitting Funeral Home in 2000.

David Whitting, Stret’s second son, graduated from Mortuary School at Southern Illinois University in 1988, and continued his education to earn a bachelors in Small Business Management in 1990. Following his college education, David enlisted into the United States Army and was honorably discharged January of 1998. He rejoined  the military from 2003-2004, with another 12 months of service following the attack on 9/11.  Dave came back to work at the funeral home upon the return from the service in 2004 and worked until his retirement in 2022.

Newspaper Advertisement in 2000.