Our History

In 1996, Heather and Graham Stephen bought a residential house at 106 Hokonui Drive, Gore, originally destined to form part of a motel complex. While this never went ahead, the house with a front office, was suitable to operate as a funeral home. Council approval was sought to open Stephen Funeral Home.
 

Within five years, they seized the opportunity to purchase two adjacent properties and planning began to demolish the existing houses and build a Chapel featuring a catering lounge and foyer, to host after service functions.  Development completed end 2004 and was proudly opened to serve the needs of local families.

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In 2008, the Company purchased Hammond Funeral Services and rebranded the combined businesses.

Heather and Graham have lived in Southland all their lives, raising their family of four.  Graham has followed in his father’s footsteps of funeral directing which initially came about when his grandfather operated a joinery factory in Edendale and made caskets.

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Southern Funeral Home is now part of the Propel Funeral Partners network, which encompasses a wide array of funeral homes, cremation facilities, and cemeteries. Propel Funeral Partners, is one of the largest providers of funeral related services within Australia and New Zealand and is publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Heather and Graham will continue to oversee operations as the General Managers.