The Lynn-Carson Funeral Home's present location was formerly the residence of Mr. J.R. Morrow, one of the area's first funeral directors.
Mr. Morrow actually operated a funeral business from the back of his furniture store at 282 King Street, at a time when furniture and caskets
were seen as related products. As most funerals were conducted in the home of the deceased, or from the church, the need for other than preparation
space was minimal. Morrow purchased the combined furniture-casket store in 1883 from Mr. C.W. Laing, who had founded the store in 1878.
When Morrow sold the business to Alexander Barrie in 1912, he purchased the present location of the Lynn-Carson Funeral Home as his residence.
Mr.Barrie then branched out and began Midland's first ambulance during the early years of the Great War. In the 1930's, St. Andrew's Hospital took over the operation.
During the difficult years of the "Dirty Thirties" people began living in more urbanized flats and apartments, creating
a need for funeral visitation space. At this time Alex Barrie purchased J.R. Morrow's home on First St. and converted it into a funeral home. In 1961, the
chapel was added. Mr. Barrie died in 1948, and his sons, Bruce and Ross carried on the business until Ross died in 1953. Then, Bruce and his son Ward continued
until 1966, when Bruce died. Ward and his mother Elva subsequently sold the home to Robert Stoddart of Paisley, Ontario three years later. The Barrie
family continued to run the furniture store on King Street, which was split off from the funeral business when Stoddart purchased it. Robert Stoddart added
the large area to the rear of the building, which orginally served as a garage. Recently this space has been converted to a spacious reception center.
James Lynn bought the business in 1971, and operated it until it was sold to the present owner in 1995, Robert Carson, also the owner of the then named Doolittle-Carson Funeral Home in Orillia. The Lynn name was retained in
Midland, as was the Doolittle name in Orillia to stress the family continuity of both businesses. The Carson family operates both funeral homes, splitting
their time between both communities and rely heavily upon the Midland staff for much of the day-to-day operation.