About Us
Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home
The funeral home originated on June 14, 1880 with Mr. James H. Walsh, licensed mortician/owner. The business became Walsh & Perry Co. in 1907. J. Edward Doyle purchased the business on September 1, 1929, changing the name of the business to Doyle Funeral Home, and he operated the family business until his death in July of 1956. The business was then continued by his widow, Mrs. Kathleen Doyle until 1959 when it was sold to her daughter and son-in-law, Charles and Margaret McGraw. On June 1, 1980, Bruce and Rhonda Bezanilla, current owners, purchased the McGraw Funeral Home from Chuck and Peg, changing the name of the funeral home to Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home in 1991. In 2025, Bruce & Rhonda sold the business to Nicole M. LaRue, a licensed funeral director who has served the Carthage community since 2005.
Why Choose Us
Our Building
Many renovations to the funeral home have taken place over the years. Much of the original woodwork has been restored in the 110-year-old building. The funeral home consists of three large rooms for visitation or gathering, an arrangement room, a 600 square foot selection room containing 16 full-size caskets, and a cremation and vault display. The funeral home accommodates seating for 140 persons for funeral services. The adjoining property, 524 State St., was purchased in 1994, and a parking lot was incorporated into the property. The funeral home offers a handicap ramp for persons needing assistance.
The Story Behind Our Name
The Bezanilla name has been familiar in the Carthage area since the 1920s, beginning with the Bezanilla Dairy business. Candido Bezanilla and his son, George E., father of Bruce, operated a dairy farm, milk processing plant, and milk delivery business for over 60 years. The dairy business ceased operations in 1979. Bruce Bezanilla purchased the McGraw Funeral Home in 1980 and continues to operate it to this date.
Online Memorial
We can create a customized, online memorial for you to share with family and friends. The memorial includes the obituary and any photographs you wish to provide. It will serve as a place for visitors to post condolences, share memories, upload photos, and light candles in honor of your loved one.
Tribute Video
Tribute videos have become a heartfelt addition to the services offered by funeral homes. They beautifully blend cherished photos, video clips, and meaningful music into a touching montage that honors the life and cherished memories of a loved one.
Ordering Flowers
We make it easy for friends and family to send flowers to your home or service to honor your loved one. We have partnered with local florists to offer the convenience of ordering directly from the obituary page of our website. You can also use this to select the flowers you would like at the service.
Sharing Service Details
We reduce the stress of contacting those who need the details of the service for your loved one. Through the online memorial on our website, we will post the dates and times of the service. You can then either share the memorial on your social media or copy the details from the site into an email or text.
our committment
We are committed to creating a wonderful remembrance event that reflects the unique life of your loved one.
Burial Services
We offer comprehensive burial services designed to honor your loved one with dignity and care. Our team is here to guide you through every step, ensuring a meaningful and respectful tribute.
Cremation Services
We offer several service options for families that choose cremation which can include a full service funeral, a memorial service, or something more private, as well as permanent resting place options for the cremated remains.
Veteran Services
There is no greater honor than serving those who have served our country. We help you get the benefits and provide a service worthy of a veteran.
Personalized Services
Our funeral directors are experts in helping to create meaningful services that are unique and honor your loved one in ways that are special and meaningful. We offer several ways to personalize a service from tribute videos to keepsakes, to live streaming for family and friends that cannot attend in person.
