Our Story

In 1912, William C Smith founded the home at 2500 North Cicero right here in beautiful Chicago. Until his death at the age of 89, he dedicated his life to his work as a funeral director. In this business, he was followed by three of his sons, all of whom sought to carry on the legacy of trust and compassion that their father had established. William C Smith JR and Lawrence Smith worked as funeral directors all of their lives.

Robert Smith SR moved the business in 1968 to 6150 North Cicero, just a few miles from its original location and remains active in the business to this day.

Bob Smith took over Smith-Corcoran in 1980. He still oversees the day to day operations of all three locations. Those locations, having been built in the last 20 years to better accomadate the public, are in Palatine, which opened in 1985, and one in Glenview which opened in 2002.

Bob graduated from the University of Kansas and went in to the military. After serving his country he worked in insurance and banking returning to the family business in 1980. He brings his unique combination of natural compassion and ease and his in-depth knowledge of business matters.

Bob JR served on the board of the National Selected Morticians, a private trade group of family owned funeral homes, from 1986-1990. In 1990 and 1991, Bob SR was honored with the position at the helm of the National Funeral Director's Association. Both of them remain interested and active in the direction of the funeral industry.