Skip to main content

Our Legacy

Seven generations of one family, caring for Utah’s families since 1885

For more than 140 years, the same family has answered the call when Utah families needed care. Seven generations of the Larkin family have carried forward a single promise — to serve every family with genuine care, integrity, and respect.

Caring for families is something our family learns young. Many Larkins grow up in the business — starting as teenagers in the cemeteries, the flower shop, and alongside our staff — so by the time they serve your family, this work is already in their hands and their hearts.

What began with one man arranging funerals in Ogden has grown into a tradition that still guides us today. This is our story.

Our Story Through the Years

  1. A pioneer arrives in Utah

    George William Larkin emigrates from Cambridge, England to the Salt Lake Valley. He cuts stone for the Salt Lake Temple, rides for the Pony Express, and is later appointed to oversee the Ogden cemetery.

  2. The Larkin tradition begins

    George William begins serving families and arranging funerals in Ogden — the founding of a tradition of care that continues to this day.

  3. Larkin comes to Salt Lake City

    George William’s son, Alma J. Larkin, opens a Larkin Mortuary in Salt Lake City, carrying the family’s work into a new generation.

  4. A lasting home

    The mortuary moves to the historic Hagenbarth Mansion at 260 East South Temple — with its hand-crafted woodwork and stained-glass windows preserved — where it still welcomes families today.

  5. The next generation steps forward

    After Alma’s passing, his sons Alma J. “Jay” Larkin Jr. and Max S. Larkin take up the management of the company, continuing the family’s commitment to Utah’s families.

  6. A fourth generation leads

    Robert “Bob” Larkin becomes president, guiding the company until 2002 and building on nearly a century of family service.

  7. The tradition continues

    After more than two decades leading Larkin as president, Lance Larkin continues to serve as Chairman of the Board, and Robert Larkin, Jr. becomes Larkin’s president — while a new generation of the family, some still in their teens, is already growing up in the business today.

Our Founders

Our Legacy - Larkin Founders
Larkin's pioneer founder, George William Larkin, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1863, having emigrated from Cambridge, England. His first jobs were to cut stones for the Salt Lake Temple and to ride Pony Express. Brigham Young later appointed him to oversee the Ogden cemetery. In 1885, George William began the Larkin tradition of serving families and arranging funerals in Ogden.
In 1912, a Larkin Mortuary was opened in Salt Lake City under the direction of George William's son, Alma J. Larkin. In 1925, the mortuary moved to its present location, the Hagenbarth Mansion, at 260 East South Temple. Alma was the driving force of growth for Larkin Mortuary until his untimely death in 1946. His two sons, Alma J. "Jay" Larkin Jr. and Max S. Larkin, assumed management of the company until 1984 when Robert "Bob" Larkin took over as president until 2002. Lance Larkin served as president until 2025 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Robert Larkin, Jr. is Larkin's current president.

Our Mission Statement

Our mission for over a century has been to provide genuine care. We create exceptional service and superior value as well as quality products and facilities. We pledge integrity and respect in all we do.

Our Locations

Larkin has four beautiful locations to accommodate and serve your family in your time of need.

Larkin Mortuary - Downtown

Located in downtown Salt Lake City in the historic Hagenbarth Mansion, on the corner of South Temple and 300 East. (Mr. Hagenbarth, a successful cattle rancher, had the mansion built as a wedding gift for his bride.) The Larkin family purchased the European-style home in 1925 and has retained its original fixtures, elegant hand-crafted woodwork, and stained-glass windows. In addition to housing the mortuary's Care Center, the beautifully decorated building has both large and small chapel as well as areas for viewings and gatherings.

Downtown Location

Larkin Sunset Gardens

Located in the southeast section of the Salt Lake Valley at 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South). The Wasatch Mountains provide a picturesque backdrop to the lush green burial gardens that feature flat-to-the-ground or upright headstones. Fountains, statuary, and colorful flower beds complement the beauty and function of the burial gardens, indoor/outdoor mausoleum, cremation niche walls, ossuary, and French-style mortuary chapel & gathering rooms. A full-service floral shop, monument design center, and two greenhouse conference/reception centers are also conveniently located on the property.

Sunset Gardens Location

Larkin Sunset Lawn

Located on the east bench of Salt Lake City at 2350 East 1300 South. Stately trees, a peacefully flowing fountain, in-ground & monument headstones, garden mausoleum, cremation niche features, and ossuary are showcased on its meticulously manicured grounds. The tastefully appointed mortuary offers a chapel, viewing & gathering areas, an indoor mausoleum, and state-of-the-art crematory.

Sunset Lawn Location

Larkin Mortuary - Riverton

Located on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley at 3688 West 12600 South in Riverton. The beautifully decorated mortuary features a chapel, several viewing/gathering rooms, a reception center, state-of-the-art electronics, and an all-occasion floral shop.

Riverton Location

Experience Our Legacy

Visit one of our beautiful locations to see how our century-old tradition of care continues today.

Contact Us Today