Mclnerny Funeral Home is located in the heart of Elmira at the north end of the Walnut St. bridge on the corner of W. Water and Walnut Streets. It is one of the most visible buildings in the city. The current funeral home opened in the spring of 1998 after years of planning and 15 months of construction. Great pride was taken to make sure the building fit in with the historic neighborhood that surrounds it. The home is a classic example of Victorian Gothic architecture. The exterior colors of stately gray for the cedar siding is complemented with trim colors of dark gray, white and garnet.


By gutting the entire interior of the building and adding two new wings, the funeral home has a floor plan that is both functional and provides the ambiance in keeping with the home-like comfort that the third generation business is noted for. Visitors will use the main entrance off the driveway on the west side of the funeral home, entering through an oversized double door into an entry foyer with handicapped accessible elevator lift to the first and second floors. A few steps lead to the spacious main foyer with coat room, gas fireplace, and grand staircase of oak architectural elements.


A 1,220 square foot chapel area which can be divided into two separate rooms occupies the north end of the first floor. On the southeast side is a 670 square foot chapel with a children's activity area. A T-shaped corridor off the south porch offers a small sitting area and access to men's and women's handicapped accessible restrooms, the business office, and main foyer. The entire first floor and some of the second floor is trimmed with oak moldings. A goal Kevin McInerny had was to create a look to the interior that would have been appropriate 120 years ago when the home was first built.


The children's area is extremely helpful for young moms and dads. It allows them to bring bring children to the funeral home where the children can watch TV or a videotaped movie, read, and play with coloring books. This area is not set up as a child care center with an attendant but the area has a clear line of sight to the main viewing area. This allows family members to see the children at all times.


The grand staircase in the main foyer leads upstairs to a large private room with fireplace and conference table where individuals or families can meet with Kevin in comfort and privacy to plan arrangements on a pre-need or at-need basis. A cozy sitting room is nearby if needed.


Another second-floor room offers an innovation in displaying caskets, cremation urns and burial vaults. Rather than facing a storeroom lined with a few available caskets, families will be able to choose from a wide selection of styles, fabrics, and colors. This is available from from a quarter-casket system researched and developed by York Merchandising Systems in New Orleans, LA. Nothing seemed to dispute the independent research which stated that most people found traditional open-casket displays distressing, and dreaded being near them. When they were given an option, they chose York's quarter-casket displays instead. In separate alcoves families can choose from a selection of vaults for a traditional funeral or urns if cremation is preferred.


The second floor also contains a separated area for preparation of the deceased with an adjacent room to accommodate clients who prefer the services of their own hairdressers. A staff restroom with shower completes the second floor.