History of Hardison Funeral Homes, Inc.

The Hardison family has been privileged to proudly serve all of Niagara County since 1921, when Dayton E. Hardison, established the first Hardison Funeral Homes, Inc. firm in Ransomville, NY.

Dayton was first introduced to the funeral business when he found part-time employment at the age of 14 digging graves (by hand) at North Ridge Cemetery in the town of Cambria, NY. Dayton attended Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in Syracuse, and started Hardison Funeral Homes shortly thereafter. The original house in which the business resided (and Dayton and his wife Mabel and their young family) was
actually about 3/4 miles North of its current location on Ransomville Road. Within a few years, the firm and the family moved to its current location at 3648 Ransomville Road. Dayton was personally committed to providing the communities he served with the highest degree of personal attention, sympathetic understanding and that of a friendly consultant and advisor. His compassion was passed on to his sons, Gerald and Denton, who assisted him in the operation of the firm. The brothers also attended and graduated from Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in the late 1940’s

Denton & Esther Hardison

Denton eventually became owner of the funeral home (which was still home to Dayton, until his death in 1970, and Mabel, until her death in 1982). In 1957, the firm expanded, with a second location located in historic Lewiston, NY. There was also a partnership in the 1960’s of Hardison and the Ingram families in Niagara Falls, NY., which was known as Hardison-Ingram funeral home. Denton’s brother Gerald continued to work at the Funeral Home, at least part time, up through the early 1990’s. Denton’s son Bradley attended Hudson Valley Community College, having graduated in 1975 with a degree in Mortuary Science, and then came to work full time at Hardison Funeral Homes.

Bradley D. Hardison

Bradley took over the company from his father Denton Hardison in 1992 and continued the Hardison Funeal Homes, Inc. passion and commitment to excellence, with a goal to meet and exceed the standards of the generations that have preceded him. He surrounded himself with a staff who valued and aspired to the same qualities of excellence. Bradley passed away unexpectedly in November of 2023.

In January of 2024, his oldest son Evan came to work at the Funeral Homes as a Funeral Attendant/Office Assistant, making for a fourth generation of Hardison Funeral Homes, Inc. 

All of the Hardison Funeral Homes, Inc. owners and their family members have been known not only for their reliable, high-quality service for the funeral needs of the communities of Niagara County, but also for supporting and interacting with members of the community. They have been involved in organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Company, St. Mary’s Hospital Board of Trustees, St. John’s Episcopal Church of Youngstown, St. Peter’s R.C. Church of Lewiston, Immaculate Conception RC Church in Ransomville, Ransomville United Methodist Church, Youngstown Presbyterian Church and many other worthy groups. They have been especially supportive of the honoring of Veterans of all branches of the United States Military and of the Ransomville Flag Day Parade.

Since 1921, Hardison Funeral Homes, Inc. has been a recognized and respected name throughout the funeral industry in all of the communities of Niagara County.