For more than a century, McCully Polyniak & Collins Funeral Home has been a pillar of comfort and care for families in their times of greatest need. Located at 3204 Mountain Road in Pasadena, the funeral home has remained family-owned since its founding in 1904, continuing a tradition of dignity, compassion, and personalized service. Today, under the ownership of John and Ashley Collins, McCully Polyniak & Collins is as committed as ever to supporting the community with heartfelt care.
Becoming a funeral director, however, wasn’t always the path John Collins expected to take. Growing up in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, John began his journey in 1980 as a high school student looking for work in a town struggling with steel mill closures. His guidance counselor suggested a job at a local funeral home – and John accepted, not realizing it would become a lifelong calling.
After graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1984, John moved to Maryland, where he spent over a decade working for funeral homes in Baltimore before joining McCully Polyniak in 1997. He and his wife Ashley, also a licensed mortician, purchased the business in January 2023, continuing its legacy of family ownership.
McCully Polyniak & Collins traces its history back to Issac Few McCully, who opened the original funeral home in South Baltimore in 1904. The Pasadena location opened in 1971 and has since served more than 11,000 local families. “Our funeral home is an established landmark in this community,” John shared. “We strive to continue the outstanding service and traditions that have been in place for over a century.”
The funeral home offers a wide range of services, including traditional funerals, personalized memorials, cremation options, pre-planning, and grief support resources. With eight dedicated staff members, the team’s approach is rooted in empathy and attentive listening.
“Our goal is to meet families where they are in their grief,” John said. “We listen first, then guide them gently toward the service that feels right for their loved one. Every family is unique, and we treat each one as if they were our own.”
Beyond the funeral itself, McCully Polyniak & Collins provides access to grief support services through its website and local community resources.
In recent years, John has noticed a shift toward viewings followed by cremation, a more affordable option as cemetery costs rise. The funeral home has also embraced updates to meet modern expectations, recently completing renovations that include refreshed viewing rooms, new furnishings, and even a welcoming coffee bar.
“People want to feel comfortable when they come here,” John said. “We want the environment to be warm and inviting, a place where families can feel at ease during such a difficult time.”
What truly sets McCully Polyniak & Collins apart, John explained, is the heart behind their work. “This profession isn’t for everyone,” he admitted. “But for us, helping people through the death of a loved one is deeply rewarding. The most important trait any funeral home can offer is to follow their heart when serving grieving families.”
As they continue to renovate and modernize their facilities, John and Ashley are dedicated to preserving the funeral home’s legacy while evolving to meet the needs of future generations. With the hope that one day their son and niece will join them, McCully Polyniak & Collins is poised to remain a family business for years to come.
Families in need of compassionate care and trusted guidance can reach McCully Polyniak & Collins Funeral Home at (410) 255-2381 or by visiting McCullyFuneral.com.
“When choosing a funeral home, it’s important to call around, ask questions, and see how you’re treated,” John advised. “We’re here to educate families and help them make the best decisions for their loved ones—without pressure or obligation.”
For John and Ashley Collins, funeral service is more than a profession – it’s a profound responsibility to walk alongside families through grief, offering a steady hand and a compassionate heart. As they continue nurturing the legacy of McCully Polyniak & Collins Funeral Home, they do more than preserve tradition; they create a space where memories live on, and healing begins, ensuring that Pasadena always has a place of comfort and care when it’s needed most.
