How It All Began
For more than a century, funeral directors have relied on specialty coachbuilders to deliver the hearses and limousines that define their professional image. Cadillac and Lincoln never built hearses themselves—they supplied the chassis. Independent coachbuilders then designed and hand-crafted the ceremonial bodies.
This model dates back to the early 1900s. Cadillac, founded in 1902 by Henry Leland, introduced its Commercial Chassis in 1931, giving coachbuilders a durable foundation for professional vehicles. Ironically, Leland also went on to found Lincoln in 1917 after leaving Cadillac—meaning both luxury brands that shaped our industry share the same founder.
Cadillac's Commercial Chassis Legacy
In 1931, Cadillac introduced its Commercial Chassis, a longer, reinforced platform designed specifically for professional vehicles. This chassis provided the perfect foundation for coachbuilders, who created elegant hearses, ambulances, and limousines on top of Cadillac's proven engineering.
The Commercial Chassis was produced until 1979. After that, coachbuilders adapted Cadillac sedans—like the DeVille, DTS, and later the XTS—before transitioning to today's XT5 and XT6 SUVs. Cadillac's steady support for professional vehicles has allowed builders to maintain a consistent pipeline of new, road-ready products.
Lincoln's Entry and Exit
Lincoln came into the professional-car world later but made a strong impact. For decades, the Lincoln Town Car was a favorite for limousines, combining rear-wheel drive with a long, comfortable chassis. When the Town Car ended in 2011, Lincoln introduced the MKT livery platform, marketed as the "Town Car by MKT."
For a time, the MKT gave coachbuilders an alternative to Cadillac, but by 2019, Lincoln discontinued it as well. More recently, the Lincoln Nautilus has been introduced as a potential base for professional vehicles, but its adoption remains limited. Today, Cadillac is the clear and consistent chassis of choice for new hearses and limousines.
Legacy Coachbuilders
Some of the most famous names in professional-car history are no longer producing, but their heritage remains an important part of the industry's story:
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Armbruster-Stageway - With roots back to 1887, Armbruster pioneered the stretch limousine and left a lasting mark on the market.
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Eureka - Known for elegant Cadillac professional cars, later revived and eventually sold.
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Miller-Meteor - Created in 1956, produced some of the most iconic Cadillac professional vehicles, including the 1959 models.
These names remind us how much the industry has evolved, with many historic players now part of its legacy.
Current Coachbuilders
Even as some builders have faded into history, several continue to produce vehicles today:
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Kellerman Family (Platinum, MK, K2) - Family-owned and operated, the Kellerman brands represent rare continuity in the professional-car market. Platinum leads with Cadillac-based hearses and limousines, MK Coach adds decades of experience, and K2 brings variety with non-Cadillac options. We'll go deeper on Kellerman below.
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Federal Eagle - Federal and Eagle began as separate brands before being brought together. Today, Federal Eagle stands as one of the most established and respected builders. We'll explore their story further below.
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S&S (Sayers & Scovill) - Established in 1876, S&S is one of the oldest names still producing professional vehicles, now operating under Sean Myers.
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Superior Coach - Founded in the 1920s, Superior also continues in production today under Myers' group.
Spotlight on the Kellerman Family of Brands
The Kellerman family remains committed to family ownership and hands-on craftsmanship in a market shaped by consolidation.
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Platinum Coachworks - Founded by Joe Kellerman in 2005, Platinum has become a leader in Cadillac-based professional vehicles. Joe's vision built Platinum's reputation for quality and design, and today his son Bryce Kellerman is part of the next generation leading the company forward.
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MK Coach - Founded by Mike Kellerman, MK reflects decades of experience. Before starting MK, Mike also founded Eagle Coach, which he later sold, giving him unique perspective on the market.
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K2 Vehicles - Known for offering non-Cadillac alternatives, K2 has also produced a Cadillac prototype, demonstrating their flexibility and innovation.
Spotlight on Federal Eagle
Federal and Eagle began as separate companies, each with its own reputation for reliability and craftsmanship. Over time, the two brands were brought together, and today Federal Eagle stands as one of the most established and trusted builders in the professional-car market.
With a long track record of producing quality hearses and limousines, Federal Eagle continues to provide funeral directors across the country with vehicles known for their dependability and dignified design. Their consistent presence makes them a cornerstone of today's market.
Why Cadillac Today
With Lincoln stepping back, Cadillac stands as the reliable foundation for new professional vehicles. For funeral directors, this offers clear benefits:
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Continuity: Cadillac has supported the profession for generations, from the Commercial Chassis to today's XT5 and XT6.
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Craftsmanship: Builders like Platinum, MK, K2, Federal Eagle, S&S, and Superior transform these chassis into vehicles tailored to the ceremonial needs of funeral service.
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Dependability: Cadillac platforms remain the most stable and widely supported base for the professional-car industry.
Conclusion
The professional-car industry has seen enormous change: ownership shifts, consolidations, and the exit of Lincoln have reshaped the market. Yet through it all, Cadillac has remained the foundation — and current coachbuilders like Federal Eagle and the Kellerman family brands (Platinum, MK, K2) continue to build the vehicles that serve funeral directors with dignity and reliability.
By understanding this history, funeral professionals can better appreciate the vehicles they drive every day — and the proud legacy those vehicles represent.