Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Homes, serving Southeastern Connecticut- funerals, cremation, caskets, urns, preplanning

History of Neilan Funeral Homes

Over Eighty Years of Service in Southeastern Connecticut
history (26K)

Thomas L. Neilan's association with funeral service began when he drove the horse-drawn hearses for local undertakers. Thomas's father, Edward, operated a livery stable on Belden Street in New London that served the local funeral homes. Becoming interested in following funeral service as a career, Thomas L. worked for the late Samuel Prentis and Thomas Foran who provided funeral service in New London. He attended Barnes School of Anatomy in New York City and became licensed by the State of Connecticut in 1910. On March 23, 1923, Thomas established his own business on Jefferson Avenue and shortly afterward purchased the building at 12 Ocean Avenue in which the business is still located.

His sons, Edward P. (Ned) and Hubert (Hub) Neilan, joined the family business in 1936 and 1952 respectively. In 1963 Edward B. Neilan joined his father and uncle, in the family business.

In March of 1976 with the purchase of a historic Victorian home on the corner of Grand Street and Smith Avenue, Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Directors expanded services to include the Niantic, East Lyme and Old Lyme Community.

Today the funeral home is under the ownership And direction of Christopher J. Neilan, Pasquale S. Folino, and Mark Ennis.