About Us
Celebrating life since 1907
As a proud member of the Bellingham community since 1907, we're honored to help families celebrate their loved ones. We pledge to ensure that every funeral and memorial service is deeply personal, fostering healing and remembrance.
Our promise
Today, tomorrow, and forever, our commitment to you stays the same.
Dignity
Every life is unique, and we promise to honor and respect each journey, crafting ceremonies that reflect each individual.
Guidance
Navigating grief can be overwhelming; we stand by you, providing direction and solace every step of the way.
Legacy
Beyond a service, we're committed to helping families create lasting tributes that transcend generations.
Three Generations of Service
Westford Funeral Home has a proud tradition of serving our community for three generations. John E. Westford, raised on a ranch in North Dakota, trained to become a funeral director/embalmer. After moving to Bellingham, he married Veronica and worked in various funeral homes. In 1943 he and Veronica purchased the Homer Mark Mortuary. Thus was founded Westford Funeral Home. Through the years the business grew as it reflected John's personal qualities of warmth, caring, and a commitment to service. Serving as Mayor of Bellingham for 12 years, President of Washington State Funeral Directors, National Boardmember of the American Cancer Society, and initiating Bellingham's Sister City Program with Tateyama, Japan, were just some of the ways in which John served his community. In 1965, John and Veronica decided to relocate the funeral home from Cornwall Ave. and built a new facility overlooking Bellingham Bay at the corner of Broadway and West Holly St.
John and Veronica retired in 1975 when their son Jack and his wife Nancy purchased the business. Under Jack's leadership the firm grew and continued its commitment to serving grieving families and giving back to the community. Jack has served as President of the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, State Chairman of the Jobs for Veterans Task Force, President of his Parish Council, Boardmember of Washington State Funeral Directors, State Chairman and National Boardmember for Disaster Preparedness, District Chairman of Boy Scout Council, Commander of the American Legion, and Rotary Boardmember and Paul Harris Fellow. Jack is known for leading various fundraisers and giving salmon barbecues for local charities. In the early 1980's a Pre-Need division was formed followed by the establishment of Bellingham Monuments and Bellingham Cremation. Jack purchased the historic Westford Hall, formerly the Aftermath Hall, as a venue for funeral receptions.
In 2002 after graduating UW and working for several years in software development Rob Westford, Jack and Nancy's son, returned to Bellingham to enter funeral service. He became General Manager and began purchasing the funeral home in 2005. A third-generation funeral director, Rob has combined his lifetime of experience in funeral service, his total dedication to grieving families, and his innovative ideas to provide new services for today's families.
Westford Funeral Home has adapted to changing times and changing consumer needs. As we look back, we see a firm foundation and tradition of which we can be proud. We look forward to meeting the challenges of the future in serving the needs of the people of Bellingham and surrounding Whatcom County.
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A place of healing
We welcome you to explore the Westford Funeral Home and Cremation Services facilities, and invite you to discover a comforting and peaceful place to honor your loved one.
Our incredible staff
Helping families create lasting legacies is more than a job — it's our calling. We are here to support you in any way we can and will offer you the full attention, knowledge, and compassion you need.
Rob Westford
Owner/Funeral Director/Pre-planning Expert
Rob, son of Jack and Nancy, graduated from Bellingham High School in 1993 and the University of Washington in 1997. He has owned and operated Westford’s since 2005. Rob is a member of Rotary, Elder Service Providers, and is active in his church. Rianna and Rob were married in 2012, and she now manages Broadway Hall and assists with many of the funeral home functions. Rob and Rianna enjoy trips to Whistler and Maui, boating on Lake Whatcom, hiking at Mt. Baker, and spending time with their dog Brody and their cat Bailey.
Ally Tippery
Funeral Director
Ally was raised in Whatcom County and is the third of seven children. She received her Funeral Director and Embalming license from Mount Hood Community College in Portland, OR in 2011. Ally is so grateful to be serving families in the area she calls home and is honored to be a part of the Westford team. She is gifted at making meaningful connections with all different types of people.
Ally and her husband, Joe, love spending time in the great outdoors, road trips, cooking, board games, and spending time with friends, family, and their Great Dane Monk.
April Morehouse
Funeral Director
April was raised in Marysville, WA and moved to Bellingham in 2008. Working previously as a Funeral Director Assistant and as a Memorial Marker Administrator, April is now a Funeral Director Intern. She is honored to be able to assist families in our community and guide them through such difficult times.
April and her husband, Jake, love spending time with their dog, Lucy, family, and friends, as well as enjoying all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Kim Wagner
Family Services
After living in North Dakota for 27 years, she and her husband Dave moved to Bellingham in May of 2017. She has worked in the funeral industry for many years. Kim is an excellent listener and communicator while being a compassionate professional. As a WA licensed insurance agent, Kim assists individuals in the area of funeral pre-planning.
Whether officiating as a Life Celebrant, providing music or assisting the funeral director as needs arise, Kim wants to ensure that every family feels they are valued and that the life of their loved-one is remembered and celebrated.
When officiating, Kim meets with the family to gather life stories, special memories, favorite songs and poems that tell the story of a life well-lived. She will then design a personalized, creative and thoughtful tribute to share at a gathering with friends and family—truly celebrating the life of your loved one.
Kim's husband David is a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bellingham and the Wagner's have four adult children and four grandchildren. Kim is a breast cancer survivor and her hobbies include singing, caring for their two dogs, collecting fabric and drinking coffee with friends.
Maureen Laughy
Funeral Director
Maureen moved to beautiful Bellingham in 2015 and enjoys spending time on the Pacific Northwest beaches and saying hi to every dog she passes on the street.
A licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer Intern, Maureen is also skilled with photoshop, writing, and editing which is a big help to families as they create obituaries and photo slideshows. She is grateful to be a part of the Westford team.
Elizabeth Suel
Reception Coordinator
Elizabeth is the 11th of 13 children raised on a farm in Minnesota. She was educated in Catholic schools and is an active member and volunteer at Church of the Assumption in Bellingham. Elizabeth as an R.N. in a hospital for 30 years and still a volunteers as a caregiver. She has two children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren that are all very close and very special to her. She assists with services and receptions at Westford Funeral Home and Broadway Hall.
Paul V. Spinelli
Funeral Director
Paul grew up on the East Coast and moved to Kitsap County where he graduated high school and met his wife Vicki. Paul earned his Mortuary Science degree in 1978 and moved to Bellingham, where he worked with Moles for over 35 years, much of it as the manager in Bellingham. He joined Westford in 2014. He enjoys beekeeping, gardening, reading and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Paul is an active member of Faith Lutheran Church. Paul brings to Westford a passion for serving families, a warm and caring personality, and a tremendous amount of experience.
Jack & Nancy Westford
Funeral Directors
Jack and Nancy purchased the business in 1975 from his parents, John and Veronica Westford. Jack, a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, was born and raised in Bellingham, graduated from San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, served in the military, then returned to Bellingham to work in the family business. After graduating from WWU, Nancy taught school, then changed careers to work in funeral service with Jack. As a husband and wife team, Jack and Nancy have raised three children and enjoy two grandchildren. They are active in their church, veterans’, and community service activities. Jack and Nancy continue to assist at the funeral home in a variety of roles.
We exist to serve the unique needs of every family
Seamless Arrangements
We'll help you with everything you need with a simple step-by-step process for all of your funeral, cremation and cemetery plans.
Unique Funerals and Tributes
Every individual is unique. Which is why we offer fully customizable memorial services designed just for your family.
Around the Clock Support
We're here to answer any questions and help in any way we can – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Hear from
the families
we've served
“Wonderful, professional staff helped us navigate a very difficult situation.”
Author:— Matt Nguyen rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Outstanding service! Kind, thorough and efficient in communicating the essentials.”
Author:— Janl Wieber rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Compassionate people”
Author:— Lisa Marie Berg rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Ali was very professional caring and accommodating.”
Author:— Jean Hurlbert rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Family”
Author:— Mary Jo Mccoy rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“The Westford family was very nice to work with.”
Author:— Rebecca Sumner rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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Honoring excellence
We’re honored to be recognized for our dedication to excellence and genuine care. Explore the esteemed associations we're a part of, and the awards that celebrate our commitment to the communities we serve.
Westford is honored as one of the Best Places to Work in 2023.
We're hiring
Beyond the opportunity to truly make a difference, Westford Funeral Home and Cremation Services offers competitive pay, a healthy work-life balance, and many opportunities for growth.