Our History

Our History

Family-owned and operated for five generations, Neville Funeral Home has been providing dignified, caring service in the Pembroke & surrounding areas for more than 100 years.


In those 10 decades, our goal and purpose has been to offer support and to always provide committed and dedicated service to family members and loved ones. Throughout the years, our family has maintained a standard of personal care and service that stems from the values within our own homes.We have established a tradition of helping families in planning funeral and memorial services that truly reflect an individual's life. We feel that every family we serve becomes a member of our family and we firmly believe this does make a difference in the level of care you receive.

Neville Funeral Home is owned and operated by the original family. There has been a Neville to help you in your time of need since James Neville founded the business in 1904. James Neville ran the business out of the Furniture Store he operated on Pembroke St. West, known as James Neville & Sons. They provided funeral services and supplies, as wakes were customarily held in a family's home prior to World War II. James son Michael (M. J.) joined his father in the family business until his sudden death in 1926.  

James continued to operate the business and soon was joined by his grandsons, Lorne, Michael and Harry. James died in 1928, Lorne died in 19 and Michael left the business. In 1940, Harry and his wife Lila (Clouthier) bought the funeral home. As customs began to change over time and wakes began to take place in funeral homes, the business was moved to its present location at 491 Isabella Street, Pembroke. Harry and Lila, along with their 8 children Harold, Harriette, Lorne, Grant, Leanne, Maureen, Kathy and Paul lived above the funeral home. Upon Harry’s sudden death in 1962, Lila operated the business and Lorne assumed responsibility. In 1977, Lorne and his wife Theresa purchased the funeral home. In 1994, Lorne’s son Christopher Neville graduated from Humber College with his funeral director’s license and began working at the funeral home. He is the great-great grandson of James Neville, thus the fifth generation of Neville’s to care for those in need – a family serving families with distinction since 1908.

Over the years the Neville family has seen many changes take place in Pembroke but they have embraced the same beliefs and traditions that James started in 1908. Many improvements have been made to the funeral home to better serve the community. Remodeling has made the facilities more comfortable and convenient. In 1972 a major building renovation was completed. In 1999, Lorne and Theresa soon realized that as the area grew, the funeral home’s facilities also needed to grow in order to better serve the needs of the community. In 1999, Lorne and Theresa expanded the business further by renovated the funeral home once again. In designing the new funeral home, they made sure it would be large enough to accommodate the growing population of our area. A new chapel, larger visitation facilities, new office, new coffee lounge and washrooms plus a new entrance changed the façade of the building to its now familiar shape. Each room in the funeral home has been designed with the intention of providing comfort and serenity to visiting families. It offers access for the handicapped and ample parking. 

"Five generations ago our family made a promise to provide the highest quality of service to families at their greatest hour of need. Today we vow to continue that same care that has earned us the reputation that we carry on to."

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