History & Staff

Our Story.

Since we opened our doors we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.

Learn the Legacy.

We know that every family we serve is unique, and we strive to make each service a personal tribute to the life that has been lived. We provide a wide variety of choices that will help fulfill a family’s wishes, from a traditional funeral to a personalized service that celebrates a loved one’s hobbies and interests.

The House of Wright Mortuary & Cremation Services, Inc., established August 9, 1987 by Robert O. Wright, I & his wife Deborah. The building purchased was formerly known as the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses built in 1955. The physical address of 208 East 35th Street, Wilmington, Delaware was now home to The House of Wright Mortuary. It’s doors opened to the public with a dedication ceremony.

The House of Wright Mortuary was birthed as a family owned and operated funeral service establishment.

The family also consisted of two sons Robert II and Justen. Two weeks after the dedication ceremony they received their initial first call. God truly answers prayer. That service was the beginning of a profound legacy of personalized service rendered with compassion and dignity.

Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible. Together, we make this place amazing.

Deborah Ann Brinkley Wright is a native of Wilmington, DE. She is the eldest of seven children to Betty A. Mitchell and the late Warren E. Brinkley, Sr.

Deborah has been married to Robert O. Wright, I CFSP, owner and founder. She is the mother of Robert O. Wright, II and Justen A. Wright, CFSP; 2 daughters-in-law,Trista Wright and Blair Wright. She is the proud grandmother of, Robert O. Wright, III, Latrell, Stephon, Justen A. Wright, II, Raegan, Skylar, Kobe, Karter and Alex..

She graduated from Delcastle Technical High School with a Diploma in Medical Assistance. She graduated from Wesley College with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.
Deborah is a member of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church under the Pastorate of Rev. Dr. Silvester S. Beaman and is the Past President of the Senior Usher Board. Her civic duties include being the First Vice President of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Wilmington, DE Club; member of St. Matthews Grand Chapter, OES,PHA and Past Matron of Star of Bethlehem Chapter #8 OES,PHA.

Justen A. Wright was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. He matriculated through the Delaware School System, with the great achievement of graduating from Alexis I. DuPont High School at the tender age of 16. Justen exuded a passion for the funeral industry, he persevered through a daily commute to New York City, from Wilmington for two years, to obtain his Associate’s Degree from the American Academy of McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. Justen continued his education at Wilmington University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.

After completing a one-year apprenticeship under his father, Robert O. Wright I, C.F.S.P. founder of The House of Wright Mortuary & Cremation Services, Inc.; He was granted his license and became the youngest licensed funeral director in the State of Delaware at the age of 20. In June of that same year, he served as the keynote speaker for Delaware State University’s Young Entrepreneur Conference. His commitment to this program was unfathomable to the point, that he reinvested his honorarium received from Delaware State University, back into Entrepreneurial programs to uplift the 19801 and 19802 zip codes in Wilmington. In addition to the Entrepreneurial programs, He has intimately involved himself in S.A.F.E. (Student and Family Enrichment Program), which is a project that focuses on introducing crime prevention workshops and activities for intercity families. Justen earned his certification as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) to augment his professional career. Justen was featured in the February 2010 edition of Delaware Today Magazine, in an article titled,” Our Black Leaders”. He was also featured in City Life Magazine, in an article titled, ” 19 Energizers”.

In 2008, at the age of 24, Justen was elected as the youngest City Councilman in the history of Wilmington City Council. He served on the 105th Council, as an “At Large” Councilmember, who served the entire City of Wilmington. In addition to his past elected position, Councilman Wright is the President of The House of Wright Mortuary & Cremation Services, Inc.; a licensed pre-need insurance agent; an active member of Ezion Fair Baptist Church under the pastorate of Pastor C. T. Curry, Ph.D., D.Min.; an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; District II Governor for the National Funeral Director’s & Morticians Association; Past President of Delaware State Funeral Directors Association; immediate past Chairperson of the membership committee for the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association; former Board Member for Connections C.S.P., and the Amputee Coalition of Delaware.

Justen Wright is married to the former Trista Laster and is the proud father of Justen A. Wright II and Alex R. Wright. In addition, Justen’s family history includes being the son of Robert O. & Deborah A. Wright; brother of Robert II; and the proud uncle of Robert III, Latrell, Stephon, Raegan, Skylar, Kobe, Karter and Kash.

Justen Wright’s commitment to the entire Wilmington community is unwavering. He has received various awards and acknowledgments from community organizations that include the Markevic A. Johnson Scholarship Foundation, the Newark Chapter NAACP; and a Daring to Make a Difference Award from the Mid-Atlantic District of The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc.

Justen Wright is committed to giving back to the community and remains a positive role model for young people from all backgrounds. Justen is a firm believer in helping others, which is supported in part by one of his favorite quotes from Booker T. Washington, “If we are one, our cause is one, if we are to succeed we must help each other”.