About Us

Established in 1876 by Phillip Ott, Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services have been servicing the Michigan City area with a professional, full-service facility for over 137 years. Today, Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services remains the oldest of all of the city's morticians, with the most expansive history and dedication to the community.

Phillip Ott, who came to America in 1869 from Hermeskiel, Rhein Province in Germany, was a cabinetmaker and carpenter by occupation. Being so, he possessed the necessary skills to make wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, picture frames, and coffins, a common product of cabinetmakers in those days. Ott was also employed for a time at the Haskell & Barker Car Company, which produced passenger rail cars. Ott opened his first place of business to ply his many trades in the area now known as downtown Michigan City.

After the death of Phillip Ott in 1897, the business was continued by his wife Elizabeth and his son, A.G. Ott. After the death of A.G. Ott in 1954, the firm was managed by three of A.G. Ott's sons: Joseph, Paul, and William Ott. The three brothers provided funeral services and non-emergency ambulance work. In the early days of our country's history, ambulance work was an integral part of the funeral business. Equipment in these horse-drawn days consisted of a "first call" buggy, a hack, an ambulance, and a service wagon. The service wagon was similar to a hearse, but lacked the elaborate exterior detail.

In 1977, the business was sold to Lynn Haverstock, who too had many years of funeral service experience. In 1986, Haverstock completed a major expansion to the facility, which added a third chapel and a larger lobby area, including an entrance and restrooms to accommodate handicapped visitors. The expansion enabled the business to better serve the community and to carry on the tradition of the finest in funeral services. Along with the renovation, the name Haverstock was added to the business.

Throughout history, Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services have been dedicated to serving its community. It has even been called upon to render service in two extraordinary events:

* The Porter train wreck of the New York Central and Michigan City railroads, which killed and injured a number of local citizens

* The influenza epidemic of 1917 and 1918

Since 1876, Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services has worked to deliver the highest standard in professional customer service.

Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services is one of the only continuously locally & family owned in funeral facilities Michigan City.