The Sperling Funeral Home was founded in 1921 by Walter J. Sperling, Sr. and his wife Margaret Knapp Sperling. Mr. Sperling helped build the railroad out to the western states, and when that was completed, he found a position as an embalmer in Colorado. He soon made his way back home to Pittsburgh and started the original funeral home on the North Side at the corner of Lockhart Street and Nash Street. The original funeral home was located across from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which is now the Grand Hall of Pittsburgh and Priory, A City Inn. In the mid 1950’s, the government began the planning of I-279 and started buying properties for the construction of the highway. This original building was part of the properties that needed to be acquired. Fortunately, a few blocks down on the corner of Lockhart Street and Cedar Avenue was the Geiselhart Funeral Home, and the Sperling family was able to purchase that building and move to this new location.

Extensive renovations took place to create a building that had lasted through the ages on Cedar Avenue. The building is steeped in the history of Allegheny City and the City of Pittsburgh. Built in the mid 1800’s for the predominant Robinson family, the building was adorned with Tiffany stained- glass and wood craftsmanship which is seldom seen today. The building was occupied by the Pentland family, and their daughter, Susan, was a friend of Stephen Foster- who was born and raised across from the park from Cedar Avenue. Composer Foster wrote one of his first songs, “Open Thy Lattice Love”, for Ms. Pentland. Although a relationship was never formalized in marriage, Ms. Pentland and Mr. Foster sang in choirs together for years. In the late 1800’s, the Geiselhart family began operating the funeral home at that location, and today we still have many of their funeral registers. The home still has the original character and grace that has made it so popular with many families in Pittsburgh.

The 1950’s also saw the emergence of another new funeral home for the Sperling Family in Millvale, Pennsylvania- just a short drive from the city and the original birth place of Walter J. Sperling, Sr. At this time, Walt and Peg’s son- Walter J. Sperling, Jr.- was now in the business and helping with the expansion process. In 1959 he opened the second location at 123 North Ave. This was in the building that was occupied by the former Sirlin Funeral Home. Again, this building was renovated to provide Millvale with the most modern and spacious funeral home in the area and was conveniently located next to Saint Anthony’s Church (now Holy Spirit Parish). This funeral home has stood the test of time, including the floods from Hurricane Ivan. Fortunate to be located on higher ground, only minimal damage occurred in our non-occupied basements. We are proud to be the only 100% family- owned and operated funeral home in Millvale. This means that our family is here to serve your family, not out- of- state interests.

With two businesses in place and Jarett Sperling- the third generation- now in business, the Sperling family began to look north for a third location to serve the many families in Northern Allegheny County. After years of searching they came upon the property at 700 Blazier Drive in the Town of McCandless. They purchased this 9800 sq. ft. former State Farm Insurance building and began renovations to create a one- of- a -kind facility in the North Hills.

The goal was to design the inside of the building to feel comfortable and provide the feeling of being at home, not a large funeral parlor. This was, in part, accomplished by adding a rustic fireplace and using warm accenting colors and open spaces. This new location was licensed and began operating in May 2007.