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Family Owned and Operated

In 1944, Emmanuel Johnson (founder) of Emmanuel Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. graduated from Dolan College of Embalming and Sanitary Science. He received his funeral director's license in 1947.

 In 1951, he received his license to operate his own funeral home. Emmanuel loved people and at the age of 30, after living on designated Street, he opened his first doors to business at 6655 Ross Street. He then relocated to 102-04 East Hortter and Ross Streets. His final destination was, and still remains until today, 6653-75 Chew Avenue.

Emmanuel was an enthusiastic, effervescent community activist. He gave his time and talents tirelessly to the numerous clubs and organizations demonstrating his committed involvement to community service. He stepped courageously and proudly to the plate with the Businessmen's Association of Germantown and become their first African-American president.

In 1975, Lenora Johnson, his lovely wife, graduated from McAllister Institute and received her funeral director's license in 1976. She was also a graduate of Drexel University. Lenora worked diligently with her husband in the funeral business. She enjoyed working side by side with her husband in community service activities also.

 In 1976, Emmanuel Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. became the first funeral home in Philadelphia to utilize white funeral cars. Emmanuel supplied his own cortege of white cars breaking a time-honored tradition. This landmark change was celebrated on his 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Funeral Home.

 In 1981, Cynthia Johnson, the daughter of Emmanuel Johnson, graduated from McAllister Institute and received her funeral director's license in 1983. She is also a graduate of Hampton University. While both Emmanuel and Lenora are deceased, Cynthia continues her parents' legacy through community outreach and active business and social memberships. The family tradition of being involved in the funeral business is rooted deep within Cynthia, as she operates the Funeral Home in the capacity of Supervisor and Funeral Directress along with family and staff.

In 2002, the Funeral Home entered the Pursuit of Excellence Program (sponsored by the National Funeral Directors Association) and received the Eagle Award.  The Funeral Home went on to receive the Eagle Award in 2003 and 2004, making Emmanuel Johnson's the first black-female independently owned and operated funeral home in Philadelphia to receive such an award.

In October 2004, Cynthia received her Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) designation awarded by the American Academy of Funeral Service. She is also the first black Funeral Directress in Philadelphia to receive this award.

In 2005, the Funeral Home received the Golden Eagle Award allowing it to be the first black-owned Funeral Home in Philadelphia to receive such a prestigious honor.

In 2007, the 100 Black Women of Funeral Service (BWFS) honored Emmanuel Johnson's as "Funeral Home of the Year". In 2009, the Funeral Home received the 100 BWFS "Academy Award of Excellence" in memory of Emmanuel and Lenora Johnson. A Memorial Tapestry was designed in their honor which hangs in the Funeral Home upon entry.

In March of 2011, Cynthia completed and passed the Certified Preplanning Consultant course. She is not only a Certified Funeral Service Practioner (CFSP) but she now holds the CPC credentials as well. The CPC is a designation offered by the National Funeral Directors Association.

Today, the Funeral Home's rich heritage of service and compassion remain and our committment to quality and excellence is true to Emmanuel Johnson himself.