William B. Leland purchased this the former Stephenson Funeral Home in 1952 and renamed it Leland Funeral Home. From 1992 to 2012 the funeral home was operated by the Hays family, In 2012, Jeff T. Koopman, a licensed funeral director and embalmer, began a professional affiliation with Hays Funeral Home. In 2016, Jeff became an operating partner and in the Spring of 2018 completed the acquisition of the funeral home and property. Jeff, along with his wife Rachel, a registered funeral assistant, continues to serve the families of Northborough and surrounding communities with the same passion, dedication, and professionalism they have come to trust and to expect from Hays Funeral Home.
We are nothing without our dedicated staff. If you take a few minutes to get to know us online, when you walk through our doors and see familiar faces, it will make your experience with us that much better.
Jeff T. Koopman is a licensed funeral director and registered embalmer Jeff started his apprenticeship in 1988 and earned his degree in Mortuary Science in 1992 from the Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida. After his degree work Jeff earned his National Board Certificate from the Conference of the Funeral Service Boards of the United States and completed the Massachusetts State Board Exam, earning his license through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. For over 24 years Jeff maintained his licensure with a local funeral home in his home town while serving numerous Greater Worcester County area funeral homes through his skilled embalming and restorative art skills. Since 2012, Jeff has assisted at Hays Funeral Home, coming on board full time as an operating partner in 2016.
Jeff continues to enjoy learning and in addition to his degree in Mortuary Science, he holds a BS in OccEd and a MEd in Leadership. He serves on a local school board, is a member of the Masons and Shriners, Bay State Antique Auto Club, and aids the community as a Notary Public.
Jeff, his wife Rachel and their three girls, Anika, Carleigh, and Isla remain active in community events and look forward to interacting with the citizens of Northborough and surrounding communities.
Registered Funeral Assistant and Office Assistant
Rachel N. Koopman works in partnership and side-by-side with Jeff as a registered funeral assistant and office assistant. Rachel grew up in Douglas, Mass and holds her Bachelor degree in Elementary Education from Worcester State University. After several years of teaching Rachel took time to focus on raising her growing family. Prior to assisting with the funeral home she worked numerous years as an early intervention specialist with Criterion of Whitinsville.
Rachel enjoys working in the community and tending to the care and needs of the families we serve.
We are proud to embrace traditional values, diversity and innovation in honoring the spirit and life of each person we serve. We offer a full selection of:
Funeral and memorial services, ranging from traditional to uniquely innovative and personal
Burial services and cremation options
Celebrant Services
Letting go of a loved one is usually a very difficult process. In order to provide your family peace-of-mind, our funeral home offers complete care, so you can focus on comforting each other as you prepare to say goodbye to someone dear to you.
Although there are many decisions you may have to make, we assure you that we will guide you through the entire process every step of the way. We promise to help you:
Design the most fitting memorial or funeral service to honor their memory and pay tribute to their life achievements and experiences.
Select the most appropriate products, including a casket, burial vault, cremation urn, cemetery or mausoleum, to fit your budget and suit your needs and desires.
Write a fitting obituary to honor your loved one’s life experiences and social connections.
Assist in the publication of the obituary in the newspapers of your choice.
Create a Book of Memoriesâ„¢, a beautiful, permanent online memorial, where you and your friends can build a legacy of memories by archiving treasured photos and memories.
Welcome your family and friends to our funeral home for your planned services, including a viewing, visitation, funeral or memorial service.
Make all arrangements with regard to the services whether they are held at your place of worship, our funeral home, cemetery, or alternate gathering place.
Provide you with beautiful funeral print materials, including memorial folders, prayer cards and book marks. We also offer personalized note cards for you to acknowledge the emotional support you received from friends, co-workers and community members.
Provide an elegant hearse and funeral cars, as well as arrange for escorts.
Help in the selection and on-site arrangement of floral tributes.
Provide access to grief education and support materials, and referrals to counseling services.
Prepare all paperwork, including vital record statistics, permits, filing and obtaining death certificates, and assistance with life insurance, veteran’s benefits and Social Security claims.
We hope you will turn to us for compassionate care and impeccable service. Our pledge is to honor your loved one and family with dignity, respect and personal attention to every detail.