The incorporated community of Laurinburg was only four years old when 53-year old Malcolm Alexander McDougald left his position with the railroad to establish an undertaking and furniture business. Assisting him in the venture were his three sons-Will, Dan, and John. Prior to coming to Laurinburg in 1860, "Macom" McDougald operated an undertaking and furniture business about twenty miles away. The outbreak of the Civil War brought him to the Laurinburg community (then called "Old Store") and employment with the railroad.

Following Macom's death in 1909, John and Dan continued to operate the family business, later hiring John's son, Hewitt, and daughter, Christine as an apprentice and bookkeeper.

Dan McDougald suffered a sudden and fatal heart attack on July 9, 1928. "This announcement came like a thunderbolt to Laurinburg and all of the country about on Monday morning, and the community was shocked and grieved at the sudden passing of one it had known and learned to esteem in a high degree through many years of a useful and active career," quoted a front page article in The Laurinburg Exchange. Details of the funeral service were later reported, "The minister recounted in an intimate way the characteristics and traits of the man, his youthful spirit, his courageous outlook on life and the promise of the hereafter, his kindness, his understanding heart, his attitudes and his fine spirit of service and unselfishness, and told how by these things and his works he had grown in the affection and love of the people."

Funerals and furniture were almost always sold on credit. During the era of "The Great Depression" there was little money for payments. John was forced to close out the furniture portion of the business in 1932 and continue operating only the funeral home. The name of the business was also changed to reflect the difference- from "M. A. McDougald Furniture and Undertaking" to "McDougald Funeral Home." The business was also forced to sell its facilities and moved into a residence beside the Scotland County Courthouse.

1938 also saw a few major changes: a daughter Priscilla was born, John gave Hewitt management of the funeral home, and a new funeral home facility was constructed on Biggs Street-one block from the town center.

John McDougald continued to assist Hewitt and Christine at the funeral home until less than a month before his death at the age of 85 in 1955. Shortly afterwards in 1958, McDougald Funeral Home moved into its present facility.

In 1975, Beacham McDougald became the fourth generation in the family business upon his graduation from mortuary college.

Hewitt McDougald continued to be present daily at the funeral home until falling ill on December 24, 1994. After over 70 years as an employee and owner, Hewitt died on September 25, 1995. The third and longest generation came to an end.

Scotland County's first and only crematorium, crematorium chapel, and cremation display room were added in 1997, and the name was once again changed, this time to "McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium, Inc."

The staff of the funeral home currently includes two funeral service licensees: Beacham McDougald, Paul Gribbin, and Lynn McDougald as the Aftercare Coordinator. Bill Pearson is a licensed funeral director. Funeral service is rapidly transforming, and meeting the challenges is exciting. With an excellent staff, a positive attitude, and increased emphasis on flexibility in service options, McDougald Funeral Home plans to remain as North Carolina's oldest independent, family owned funeral home.