My family’s association with funeral service began in 1894 when my great-grandfather Laurence M. Gaffney moved to San Jose, California and founded Gaffney Undertaking Company.  After some time there, Laurence sold that business and moved his family to Tacoma and founded Gaffney Mortuary in 1905 on K Street in the downtown area.  In the late 1920’s, his son Theodore “Ted” Gaffney joined the firm.  Ted soon moved the firm and established it at its’ present location on Yakima Avenue, also in the downtown area.  In the early 1970’s, his son Lawrence “Larry” Gaffney joined the firm with his wife Ellen.  I joined the firm in the early 2000’s, representing the fourth generation of service.  I look forward to continuing the long legacy of helping families in our area with skillful direction and compassionate care, as laid out so carefully by those who came before me.

Our funeral home is currently comprised of two others that have heritage in our area dating back to 1883.  Please see their respective history and story listed below.  Thank you kindly for your interest.

Buckley-King Funeral Directors

In 1883, Conrad Hoska determined to come to the west from Michigan and Wisconsin, made the trip his wedding journey.  He had planned to enter the furniture business in Tacoma but, owing to business conditions he changed his plans, and took up the undertaking business, becoming the second to engage in that line in this city, under the name Hoska Undertaking Company.  Conrad Hoska was a pioneer in the funeral industry, both in our state and nationally.  Conrad Hoska helped organize the Washington State Funeral Director's Association and in 1901 served as the first Treasurer. 

Mr. Hoska remained active in the business until a month prior to his death, when he turned over the management to William Buckley and Edward King in 1910.  Frank Walters assumed control of Buckley-King and operated it for many years.  Frank was very active in the funeral and cemetery industry, even serving as President of National Selected Morticians in 1952.  Upon his retirement, he sold the business to Robert Glass who continued the tradition of caring service and meeting the needs of area families. Robert Glass sold Buckley-King Funeral Directors to Larry and Ellen Gaffney in 1986.

Cassedy & Allen Mortuary

The Cassedy & Allen tradition dates back to the year 1885 when Henry Forkenbrock founded the Forkenbrock’s Furniture, Hardware & Undertaking Company in Waterloo, Iowa.  His son, John D. moved to Missoula, Montana in 1919 and established Forkenbrock’s Funeral Home.  In 1930, he came to Tacoma and acquired the Cassedy & Allen Mortuary which had begun in 1912 by John Cassedy & A.P. Allen.  John D’s son, A. Dale Forkenbrock, took over in 1942 and was joined by his son, John D. in 1963. Dale Forkenbrock sold Cassedy & Allen Mortuary to Larry and Ellen Gaffney in 1981.