Two of Raleigh’s Oldest Funeral Businesses Now Operate As One Company

(Raleigh, NC) - Raleigh’s two oldest names in funeral service have joined together and will soon operate under the same ownership. Effective May 1, Mitchell Funeral Home in downtown Raleigh will begin operating as part of the Brown-Wynne Funeral Home family. While it’s often hard to count on businesses to offer the same level of service tomorrow as they did five years ago, this move will actually mean better services for families across Raleigh and Wake County. Both businesses opened in the mid 1800’s and have offered families a high level of service for more than a century. Brown-Wynne is North Carolina’s oldest funeral home, and the oldest continuous business in Raleigh. The merger is the result of Brown-Wynne’s parent company, Service Corporation International, acquiring of Mitchell’s parent company, Alderwoods Group, Inc., in November. As a result of the merger, Mitchell Funeral Home is now in the process of becoming part of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers, of which Brown-Wynne is a member.

“With Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park joining Brown-Wynne Funeral Homes, the tradition of excellence both businesses are known for will truly benefit the families of Raleigh,” said Ronald Maness, general manager of Brown-Wynne Funeral Homes and Crematory. “We are committed to the great histories and reputation of our company and this addition will allow us to serve families with an even greater purpose.”

In addition to the tradition of dependability and high service, families will have the convenience of receiving the same compassionate care at any of the already established Brown-Wynne locations or Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park - 7209 Glenwood Avenue. The existing Mitchell Funeral Home at 600 St. Mary’s Street will close and operations will move a few blocks down to join the Brown-Wynne Funeral Home location at 300 St. Mary’s Street. The staff and employees of Mitchell will now be serving the Glenwood Avenue location.

“The merging of the Brown-Wynne and Mitchell Funeral Homes allows the deep histories of our two companies in the Raleigh community to further add to the strength of funeral services we provide to our valued families,” said Amy-Jo Barr, location manager for Mitchell Funeral Home. “With Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park now joining with Brown-Wynne Funeral Homes, we will be able to provide additional services that will greatly assist families through the bereavement process.”

“Now families will be able to use any of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home or Mitchell Funeral Home locations and receive the same level of care and compassion,” said James Baron, market manager for the Raleigh/Greensboro Dignity Memorial Providers. “Since Brown-Wynne Funeral Homes are already part of our network and Mitchell is joining the network soon, area families will be able to receive expanded services. We offer transferability of prearranged funeral plans to any other funeral home in the Dignity Memorial North American network for families who must relocate. We also provide a Bereavement Travel Program that helps families find the best available travel options, often with significant savings, on airfare, lodging and car rentals throughout most of the United States and Canada, as well as certain other international destinations. The program helps family members make travel arrangements through the assistance of dedicated travel agents. Families should call Brown-Wynne Funeral Homes for specific details and benefits.”

About Brown-Wynne Funeral Home
The H. J. Brown Coffin House was founded in Raleigh in 1836 by H. J. Brown. Five generations have left nothing undone to make Brown-Wynne Funeral Home one of the most complete mortuary establishments in the South. Brown-Wynne Funeral Home is North Carolina's oldest funeral provider, as well as the oldest continuous business in Raleigh. Founded in 1836, it dates back to when Andrew Jackson was President of the United States. Brown-Wynne has grown along with Raleigh and its surrounding cities. The original building site was at the corner of Dawson and Morgan Streets. The home moved to the corner of Hargett and Salisbury in 1889, then in 1928 moved again to Hillsborough Street. In 1954, Robert W. Wynne, Jr. built a new home on the corner of St. Mary's and North Street. He also had the foresight to expand to Cary, in 1969, and the Millbrook community, in 1973. In 1991, Brown-Wynne proudly became part of Dignity Network, the largest network of funeral care providers in North America.

About Mitchell Funeral Home
With its beginning on the corner of Morgan and Wilmington Streets, Mitchell Funeral Home is the successor to several funeral establishments in the Raleigh-Wake County area. In 1874, Erasmus D. Haynes, carpenter and cabinet maker, opened his business in downtown Raleigh. In 1890 Mr. Haynes merged his business with Lorenzo C. Bagwell. Mr. Bagwell operated the business until 1894 when he sold his undertaking business to a Raleigh city policeman named George A. Strickland. The final name change occurred in 1923 when the major stockholders in Mr. Strickland’s company moved the business to a home on West Hargett Street and employed Joseph H. Mitchell as the firm’s funeral director and embalmer. With the continued growth and change of ownership, a larger building was needed and Mitchell Funeral Home was moved to St. Mary’s Street in February 1953. Mitchell Funeral Home today is operated by local funeral directors and staff with over 125 years of experience and caring in the funeral industry.