At Brown-Forward Funeral Service, we have served Cleveland, Ohio and surrounding communities since the early 1800's. We are recognized as the oldest continuing funeral home in the state of Ohio. Almost two centuries ago the funeral home started as D.W. Brown, then J. Brown-Son, & Forward, and, currently is known as Brown-Forward, Inc. Throughout the years, Brown-Forward, Inc. has remained a stable
icon of caring and compassion for those in need. In our 186+ years of recorded service, we have had five locations and only four different owners. Located in beautiful downtown Shaker Heights, our comfortably appointed facility is conveniently located minutes from the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and every major hospital in the Greater Cleveland area. In 1951 the business was acquired by G. Budd and Maxine Forward, and is still operated as a family owned operation. Their son, Robert L. Forward, serves as CEO amd Chairman of the Board. Their grandson, Bradley T. Forward (Robert's son) is now serving as the company’s President and COO. Their oldest daughter, Judith M. Forward, has retired from the funeral home as of April, 2020 after a long and productive tenure as an owner and Executive Vice President. Additionally, a mainstay in the community and Brown-Forward, Inc. is Donald Willis. He began his service to the Brown-Forward community in 1965, and serves as General Manager of our funeral home. Being a family owned and operated business allows us to operate in a service oriented mode, rather than in a corporate culture. Our family form prides itself on quality of service, often going above and beyond to ensure that the families we serve are completely satisfied. Today, as in the past, we at Brown-Forward view ourselves as a community oriented funeral home, serving all faiths, races, and religions, with caring funeral, memorial and cremation services. We view ourselves as part of the entire community, which we have been actively involved with for so many years. Our affiliations have been numerous, including, but not limited to Rotary, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Shrine and Zonta.
