History & Staff

Ever since we opened our doors we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.

Why Us?

In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.

Framptom Funeral Home, P.A. was established in 1864 during the latter stages of the Civil War. The Framptom family had already been in business for many years selling carriages, buck-boards and freight wagons. It was a rather natural transition for them to further assist the region by becoming undertakers. Literally "undertaking" to respectfully care for the families of the region that needed their services. Joseph Framptom and his assistants would prepare the deceased at home and then lay the person back in their bed until a casket could be brought to the home the next day. Many of the caskets that were used were built by the funeral home in their shop.

A son of Joseph, Jerome J. Framptom entered the business with his father assisting in all aspects of caring for the families that they served. Their business grew and expanded until they were caring for families from the northern portions of the Eastern Shore all of the way to Cape Charles, Virginia. That would involve a commitment of several days. Jerome J. Framptom, had two sons, one being Henry who came into the family business and the other was Jerome J. Framptom, Jr. who after graduating from Washington College in Chestertown, pursued and received his law degree. In a tragic accident Henry was killed in an automobile accident in 1935 and was eventually entombed in the Framptom mausoleum which was erected in Hill Crest Cemetery in Federalsburg. Jerome J. Framptom, Jr. then came into the business with his father.

The funeral home continually strived to maintain the best of equipment and facilities. After World War II when funerals were more often conducted in the funeral home instead of the individuals home, or the church, a large addition was made to the funeral home allowing for a large chapel, and a private viewing area for families. The Framptom family eventually had 4 generations of Framptom families working in the funeral home when Jerome, Jr.'s son Joseph was licensed as a funeral director.

In 1972 the business was sold to Donald and Margaret Hawkins. They along with their daughter Janie and her husband Michael Eskow moved to Federalsburg. Mr. Hawkins a veteran of World War II where he served as a radio man on B-17's had been licensed as a funeral director for 25 years. New parking facilities, a large and expanded family room, new monument processing facilities, modern monument handling equipment, and updated facilities would eventually be added to the funeral home property. Michael entered Mortuary School in 1975 and was licensed as a mortician in 1976. In 1998 Michael and Janie's daughter, Christy joined the family business. She was married in June of 1999 to Roman G. Coale and both of them now work in the family business as licensed funeral directors. In 2012, Michael and Janie, sought their retirement and sold the funeral home to their daughter and son-in law.

With the growing needs of families seeking cremation, we own and operate our own crematory in Cambridge, Maryland. By managing our own facility, loved ones never leave our care. We are committed to the care of loved ones every step of the way.

In 2016, we expanded our operation into Talbot County with our friend and fellow colleague, Joseph Ostrowski, Sr. Established in 1947, the Hambleton Harrison funeral home operated at the present day location of 312 South Talbot Street. Hambleton later retired and turned the operation over to his nephew, Harrison E. Leonard. Harrison had a long standing relationship over the years with many area families. As Harrison sought his retirement, he partnered with R. Carroll Hurley who later sold the Funeral Home to Joseph Ostrowski Sr. Joe, a Bozman native, later graduated from Saint Michaels High School. Joseph had owned and operated the funeral home since 2005.

Through the years the facility on South Talbot Street has continuously served Saint Michaels, the Bay Hundred Communities, and all of Talbot County.

Over the years, we have worked closely with the Fleischauer family. In June of 2019, we again expanded our service area to include Southern Delaware and bought the Fleischauer Funeral Home in Greenwood, Delaware.

William Fleischauer Jr. served in the Army Air Corp. during WWII and was shot down over Italy and became a POW. Escaping and hiding out for months from the Fascist he finally got united with the Allied troops and was sent home. He returned home to Delaware in 1944, and married Nadine Forbes of Hammond, Louisiana.

Mr. Fleischauer received his Delaware Funeral Director license after graduating from Eckels School of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, PA.

In 1953 after purchasing a house in the heart of Greenwood and adding on to the house he established the Fleischauer Funeral Home. He used the downstairs as the funeral home and the upstairs was made into his family home. This was the first funeral home in Greenwood.

In the mid 70’s the original structure burned down leaving only the addition that he built standing. The funeral home was restored and is now standing in its original location today.

In 1989 his son Greg Fleischauer and his wife, Charlotte moved into the funeral home and was helping in the everyday operation of the funeral home all the while Greg was going to Catonsville Mortuary College in Maryland to get his license. In 1992 Greg officially took over the funeral home until his retirement in June 2019.

For six generations the long established Framptom philosophy of compassionate, considerate care, with the best of equipment and facilities at very competitive costs has continued until the present day.