The Story Behind Our Logo

Edwin Darden’s father passed away. By a unique set of circumstances, three different funeral homes in three different states were involved in the arrangements and services. Seven months after the funeral, we were honored to receive the following letter:

Our lighthouse logo, inspired by Mr. Darden’s kind words, is based on a replica of the tower and beacon of the former Bombay Hook Lighthouse, which stood at the confluence of the Smyrna River and Delaware Bay. It guarded mariners through the treacherous shoals of the Delaware Bay and onto safer, calmer waters of the Smyrna River and into Duck Creek.

The lighthouse was active as a navigational aid from its erection in 1840 until 1912 when its use was discontinued. The lighthouse proudly stood a silent vigil along the Smyrna River until its demolition in 1974. One of its former light-keepers, Joseph Benson, was born in the building that is now Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Our lighthouse logo pays tribute to the mariners and light-keepers who tended the lights and provided safe harbor to ships in need. It is a symbol of our goal to provide guidance and comfort to those we proudly serve, and of our promise that “Caring Comes First”.