Brown-Forward Funeral Home was established in 1825 and is one of the oldest, continually-operating funeral homes in Ohio. Throughout the years, this family owned and operated company has remained a stable icon of caring and compassion for those in need of funeral and/or cremation services. Our funeral directors are trained to manage funerals of ALL faiths and cultures reflected in our diverse comm
unity. Brown-Forward is located in Shaker Town Center, Shaker Heights, OH. However, this funeral home proudly serves communities within the greater Cleveland area and beyond. 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 and 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.
