Purslowe Funerals is Australian owned and has more than 100 years of experience in meeting the funeral needs to the people and communities of Perth and surrounding areas.
Purslowe Funerals - the beginnings
The Purslowe Funerals story began with James William Purslowe who moved to Western Australia during the gold rush of the late 1800s. A wheelwright by trade, James was called on by local undertakers to make coffins and often assisted with their duties.
As a Methodist lay preacher James observed the importance of a funeral service to families coming to terms with the loss of a loved one and he was requested by the elders of his community to take on the role of a funeral director. Having experienced this pastoral role, and having practical experience in building coffins as well as being an Attendant at funeral services, the move to becoming a funeral director was both natural and easy.
Caption: Purslowe Funerals Fremantle.
By 1907 Purslowe Funerals was operating full-time from its premises in Northam.
Purslowe Funerals - the second generation
James Purslowe passed away in 1925 and was succeeded by his three sons; Herbert, Arthur and Ernest.
While Herbert continued to deliver funeral services from the Northam location, Arthur and Ernest sought to take the Purslowe Funerals names to new communities around Perth.
By the Second World War the Purslowe family had opened funeral homes in the Perth suburbs of Guildford, North Perth, Victoria Park and Leederville. Added to this was a new coffin manufacturing business which operated out of Maylands.
Purslowe Funerals - the third generation
When Arthur Purslowe passed away in 1963, just before the family's new flagship funeral home at North Perth, he left his nephews Brian and Neil (both were sons of Ernest Purslowe) in charge during the next period of expansion of the Purslowe Funerals name as more and more families and communities around Perth experienced the reputation for care and professionalism the family had built by this stage.
Respected Midlands funeral home, William Snell & Son, was purchased by the Purslowe family, and new locations were opened as well including funeral homes at Wangara and Fremantle.
Caption: Purslowe Funerals Wangara.
Purslowe Funerals - the current generation
Brian Purslowe's two children, Colin and Mareena, and Neil's three children, Mark, Craige and Lisa began working for Purslowe Funerals; and it was Colin and Mark who took over management when both Brian and Neil retired in 1989.
Shortly thereafter, Mareena Purslowe began an new chain of funeral homes features all female funeral directors called Mareena Purslowe & Associates.
Both Colin and Mark Purslowe have served as Past Presidents of the Western Australian divisions of the Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA) and in 2003 both were awarded the AFDA's highest honour, the Master Funeral Director.
With more than 100 years of experience in professionally delivering funeral services with care and dignity, Purslowe Funerals will give you the time you need to embrace the lifetime of your loved one.