Full History

In April 1906, John C. Lutz became licensed as a funeral director. Joined by his son, Urie D. Lutz, in 1919, the firm known as J. C. Lutz and Sons was located in the 100 block of North Hanover Street in Carlisle. Around 1919, Roy E. Hoffman was employed as a casket finisher to meet the increased demands of the business due to the influenza epidemic that killed millions worldwide. Roy Hoffman then attended Eckels Mortuary School and became a licensed funeral director in 1925.

With the emphasis shifting away from having funerals in private residences to utilizing the facilities of a funeral home, the business was moved to the spacious Frederick mansion at 219 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, in 1936, where it remains today. Roy E. Hoffman was the manager and eventual owner of the establishment, which was known for many years as the Lutz-Hoffman Funeral Home. In 1962, his son, William E. Hoffman, graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and joined his father. Together, they remodeled and expanded the facility, and the firm became known as Hoffman Funeral Home.

To continue providing the best care to area families, William Hoffman bought and merged with another

Carlisle funeral home belonging to G. Book Roth, which was formally Shulenberger Funeral Home. This

action took place in 1978, and the firm became the largest funeral home in Carlisle. Roy Hoffman died in 1980. Mr. Roth retired from the business in 1996 and passed away in July of 2008.

Recently, the funeral home added an on-site crematory to continue meeting the community's needs.

This action changed the business name to Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory. In January 2009,

Christopher H. Hoffman, William’s son, became the owner of the firm, making the funeral home a third-

generation business.

Roy Hoffman was often quoted as saying that funeral service is “people-oriented,” and the team at

Hoffman is honored to continue the legacy of personalized service to meet the needs of every family. In

2023, in an effort to continue providing their community with the highest levels of care now and far into the future, the funeral home and crematory were purchased by Vertin, a Midwest company that has been providing funeral services to families and supporting local communities for well over a hundred years. Under the leadership of Daniel A. Crist and the new name of Hoffman Funeral Home & Cremation, Ltd, their compassionate team of funeral professionals remains committed to serving Carlisle and the surrounding area.