Our History

Richard Curtis Jay moved to Madera in 1890 where he opened a furniture business. In 1893 he added the undertaking business in connection to his other work. In 1899 he became Madera County Coroner and Public Administrator.

Robert Seldon Jay worked with his father from an early age and was prepared to carry on the business when his father died in 1916. R. S. “Bob” Jay was elected Madera County Coroner and Public Administrator which he held until 1954.

Robert Charles Jay worked with his father until he joined the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1941. Returning to Madera in 1946, Bob rejoined his father in the funeral business. He also was elected Madera County Coroner and Public Administrator. The three generations of Jay’s have served Madera County for a total of over 60 years as Coroner and Public Administrators.

In 1984, Robert C. Jay’s son-in-law, Dan Whistler became President of Jay Chapel, Inc. and has continued the tradition of service to families of Madera County and the Central Valley. The family ownership of the business is still an important part of the heritage of Jay Chapel.