History & Philospohy

By John Horan

My family’s association with funeral service began in 1890 when my great-great grandparents came to Denver from Santa Fe and opened their funeral home at the northwest corner of 15th and Platte Streets in lower downtown. My great-grandfather worked hard to build on his parents’ legacy and also founded National Selected Morticians, now Selected Independent Funeral Homes.

In 1919, James “Gentleman Jim” McConaty established McConaty's Boulevard Mortuary at Speer and Federal Boulevards. In the 1940's, James "Jim" McConaty, Jr. joined the firm and, in the early 1950's, his brother Joseph "Joe" McConaty joined the firm. The McConaty brothers established a second location on South Colorado Boulevard in 1956. The McConaty brothers are now deceased, Jim in 1983 and Joe in 2001. 

In 1986, Joe McConaty sold his company to me, thanks in part to my mom and dad who helped with a loan for most of the down payment and signed personally on the notes, potentially risking their home and assets to back me. Since then, we have constructed four new facilities to better serve people throughout the metro area and have grown to be Colorado’s Most Preferred Family-Owned Funeral Homes and Crematories. 

Did you know that many of the other death-care providers in our region are part of big chains and owned by far-away corporations? We believe in the importance of staying independent. I teach my co-workers that the most valuable thing we own cannot be seen or touched – it is our reputation. We want you to view Horan & McConaty as trusted neighbors and responsible caregivers, deserving of your confidence. As part of our commitment to remain independent, minority interests in the company are being acquired by our Chief Operating Officer, Daren B. Forbes and Vice-President Jennifer McBride. 

Of all the things we try to do well, foremost is our commitment to hire the best and brightest in our field, warm, kind, genuine caregivers dedicated to excellence. Some time ago, I asked my co-workers what values they think describe our people and the way we aspire to operate. Here is what we concluded:

We value compassion, 
honesty,
sincerity,
creativity,
excellence,
diversity,
respect,
loyalty
and lifelong learners. 

I feel proud and blessed to associate with these good people! 

Our mission consists of two words: compassion and professionalism – we stand behind it with a complete service guarantee and a commitment to contribute to the betterment of our community. Every year we host the 9Health Fair, which has resulted in thousands obtaining free or low cost medical check ups. We provide over 300 annual tours and community education programs on death, grief and funerals. Our response to community tragedies is reflected in the care we provided for 19 police officers, state patrolmen, firefighters, and an Assistant District Attorney killed in the line of duty, and re-directed the payments we collected to their families. We care for babies and children at little or no charge and pledge to care for all families regardless of financial position. In 2001 we founded The HeartLight Center to provide grief support and education.

The company was honored in 1999 with the Colorado Ethics In Business Award presented by the University of Denver, Rotary Clubs of Colorado, the Samaritan Institute, Colorado Biz Magazine and the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals. This is the most significant award bestowed on any business in the state. Horan & McConaty was named 1999 Corporation of the Year by the Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, in 2000 Company of the Year by the West Metro Chamber of Commerce, and in every year since 2005 Horan & McConaty has been named one of Colorado’s Top 50 Family-Owned Companies by ColoradoBiz Magazine.