J Frazer & Son BA5
 | A Funeral Home is much larger than your first impression, plus there is a lot more to operating a funeral home than you would first imagine. |
Its not just about organising and directing a funeral service, you need to be multi-tasked at providing the services of a counselor, surgeon, cabinetmaker and more, as a large crowd of Chamber members discovered on the evening of Tuesday 12 September at JFraser & Sons Funeral Home on Esk Street.
Wilson Fraser is a fourth generation family member to run the funeral home, it all started with his great grandfather who opened in 1899 as a Stone Masonry in Tay Street near Wensleys Cycles, then moving to where the National Bank stands today. In 1962 W.Frasers father and brothers built the current site, which has served well until 4 ˝ years ago, when Mr. Fraser decided it was time for some extensive renovations on the Conservatory and Chapel area, (which is now such a lovely setting that they have even held a wedding reception here!)
As we moved through the building viewing photos of Invercargill's largest ever funeral Mr.A which drew a crowd of around 5000 people, we arrived at the coffin display room, first viewing a very elaborate stained pine coffin with padded satin lining, after which there was a large array of coffins available in a variety of designs, colour, and wood.
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An area of great interest is the make-up room, where we learned about the embalming procedures…… a skilled art in itself. There is certainly plenty to choose from in the display room of headstones. The granite headstones are of volcanic origin - hence the different effects and colours. They arrive polished and ready for engraving, which is also performed onsite.
This special team is very dedicated, being on call 24 hrs a day and 7 days a week, where they work very closely with the family from the time of death through to the end of the funeral service. They say it gives you great satisfaction of having helped a family through this difficult time.
A huge thank you to Wilson and your team for hosting a very informative and fascinating business after 5 evening for our Chamber members, enjoyed by all.
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