Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Ever since we opened our gates we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.
Why Us?
In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.
We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy...
Heights Colonial Chapel was our original name when we were founded by Robert and Kathleen McCullough in Robbins, Illinois in 1961. In 1964 they moved to Ford Heights, Illinois, where they built a funeral home, later to be destroyed by fire in 1980. They did not give up their dream, however, and reestablished the funeral home in a different Ford Heights location in 1982. In 1987, Adrienne McCullough graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science and came to work for the family business. She was carrying on a legacy left by her mother, who passed away in 1972, and she worked side-by-side with Robert until his passing in 2006. Just two years later, in 2008, Adrienne opened a second location in Chicago.
“We believe that there should be a dignity accorded the deceased and that the service they have should reflect their beliefs, and bring comfort and solace to the family and friends that they leave behind. This experience should not be based solely on their economic station in life but rather on the nature and quality of the life of the deceased, and the many lives they touched. Our goal is that after service, families will say they are glad they made the choices for their loved one they did, and leave with a sense of balance being restored to their life and knowing they and their loved one was deeply cared about and will be missed not just by them but the community they were a part of.”
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible. Together, we make this place amazing.
Ms. Adrienne McCullough
Owner/Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Adrienne McCullough, daughter of founders Kathleen and Robert McCullough, now owner of McCullough Funeral and Cremation Services was born and raised in the funeral home environment.
The year of her birth, in the southern suburbs of Chicago, Adrienne's parents opened the doors to Heights Colonial Chapel which later became McCullough Funeral Directors then Robert McCullough Funeral Home. As a young girl, she was present at visitations with her dad handing out obituaries; as a teenager answering death calls at the funeral home; to now being the present owner. She followed in her fathers footsteps attending and graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. She became a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer working with her father until he retired in 1996. At which time she took over as second generation and continued with her father's vision of treating every family as an extension of the McCullough Family, never turning anyone away because of financial reasons. Presently, McCullough Funeral and Cremation Services, now has two locations, the flagship location in the southern suburbs and the second on the Southside of Chicago.
Adrienne has been instrumental in training future Funeral Directors while assisting mortuary science students with the needed requirements to fulfil graduation and licensing. She continues to the McCullough tradition of taking care of every family personally, starting from the initial call and arrangement conference, to being present at the funeral service, Adrienne is there extending that warm and caring support to each and every family during the worse time of their lives as she cares for their loved ones.
Ms. Atia Wilson
Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Atia Ashley Wilson reigns from Chicago's south side, the same community in which she now serves as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer at McCullough Funeral and Cremation Services. Atia is a 2012 graduate of Malcolm X College Mortuary Science program where she excelled in her classes, even accomplishing a placement on the schools Presidents list. She also served as Vice President of the Mortuary Science Club and graduated with top honors from the program in May 2012. Atia is the proud mother of a 16 year old son Te'Quan and her 13 year old triplets Teylor, Teshon and Tevon. Atia brings with her a perky, fun and charming attitude while showcasing her ambitious attitude for the funeral service field. "I am eager and ready to make my imprint on the funeral service industry while continuing to showcase the legacy of great service at McCullough Funeral and Cremation Services".