Our History

The History Of The Davis Funeral Home


Our Mission:

"To help families honor a loved one and provide the support grieving families need."


The Davis Funeral Home is proud of it’s history. We are the oldest funeral home in Nashua, New Hampshire and Hillsborough County and the second oldest funeral home in New Hampshire. We have been a staple in the Nashua community since 1842 and we are the second oldest business in Nashua, next to The Nashua Telegraph which dates back to 1832. Davis Funeral Home served as the first ambulance service for Nashua as our funeral home offered the only means by which to transport those that were critically ill.  

sketch of Davis funeral home in Nashua NH

Owners of Davis Funeral Home

funeral home staff Moses Davis
Moses Davis
Founder 1842-1888
Our Founder
Davis Funeral Home was founded in 1842 by Moses Davis, a local gravestone maker.  In 1846 he opened his own "marble manufacturing establishment."   He conducted business in the Thayer Building, in back of the Greeley Building where the Hunt Memorial Building now stands.  Moses owned the funeral home until 1888.  
He was know as
“a large hearted man who had a kind word for everybody.” 
(Obituary in The Nashua Telegraph, 1888)

Second Generation Of Davis Ownership
After Moses, the funeral home remained under the ownership of the Davis family for three more generations. In 1888, Albert Davis, the son of Moses Davis, took over ownership of the funeral home until 1911. He "carried on {his father's} monument business as well with 15-20 assistants."  There are numerous monuments in several cemeteries in Nashua and surrounding towns that were created by the monumental works of A.A. Davis and his father that can still be seen today.  In 1884 he also served as a tax collector.

“{He}…was always of charitable mind…particularly in the conduct of his business.”
  Obituary in The Nashua Telegraph, 1911
funeral home director Albert Davis
Albert Davis
Owner 1888-1911

Third Generation Of Davis Ownership
In 1911, after the death of his father, Harland Davis assumed responsibility of the funeral home.  In 1911, Albert’s son Harland Davis took over the funeral home and ran it until he passed away in 1928. 



"{He}...was a most likable man. His calling brought him into contact with Nashua homes at the time of bereavement and sorrow. His quiet dignity, inherent good taste and judgment eased, if anything could ease, such periods."
Obituary in The Nashua Telegraph, 1928
funeral home staff Harland Davis
Harland Davis
Owner 1911-1928

funeral home director Albert Davis
Albert Davis
Owner 1934-1971
Fourth Generation Of Davis Ownership
Harland Davis’ nephew, Albert Davis, later took over ownership of Davis Funeral Home. Albert was especially known for his involvement in the Nashua Community. At one time he served as the President of the Nashua Rotary Club and the Vice President of the Nashua Historical Society. He was a member of the Nashua Country Club, the New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association.  He was also a trustee and secretary of Edgewood Cemetery. He was responsible for adding a family room, casket selection room and a garage to house the hearse at the funeral home which previously had been housed in the Wheeler Nutting Taxi Cab building across the street from the funeral home. He owned the funeral home from 1934-1971. 

“[He]…will be remembered, as were his uncle, grand-father, and great grandfather, as a kind, generous and charitable person, helping those less fortunate.” 
Obituary in The Nashua Telegraph, 1973

In 1971, after 129 years of Davis family ownership, the fourth generation of the Davis family, Albert Davis, sold the business and name to his associate Robert S. Ainscow. 

Robert, a native of Nashua, started working at the funeral home in 1949 and served his apprenticeship with Davis until 1950.  He left to serve in the military during the Korean Conflict and then returned in 1965. Robert was the son of the late Harry J. S. Ainscow, a former funeral director, owner and operator of the Ainscow Funeral Home on Spring Street in Nashua.  Like the owners before him Robert was very much involved in the Nashua community.  He held membership in the Nashua Rotary Club and the Nashua Historical Society. He was Vice President of The New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, NFDA, and was also a trustee of Edgewood Cemetery.  

One of Robert’s biggest accomplishments was getting Davis Funeral Home an invitation to the Selected Independent Funeral Homes.
funeral staff Robert Ainscow
 Robert Ainscow
Owner 1971-1987

In January of 1987, Norman E. Hall purchased the funeral home from Robert Ainscow making him the sixth owner. He became a licensed embalmer and funeral director in 1970 and joined the funeral home in 1972. Prior to working at Davis Funeral Home he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era and was assigned to the United Sates Army, Mortuary, in DaNang, South Vietnam. 

Like the owners before him, Norman was active in the Nashua community. He was a former member of the Nashua Rotary West Club, former director of the Nashua Boy’s Club, and a member of the Nashua Historical Society. He held membership in the Odd Fellows and was a Past Noble Grand of the Masons. He also held membership in the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Professionally, Norman was a Past President and executive board member of the New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association, and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, NFDA. At one time he proudly served on the NFDA Policy Board representing New Hampshire and was a member of the Selected Independent Funeral Homes and the Cremation Association of North America.

 “Words can never express my family’s gratitude for his helpfulness and professionalism. A more compassionate person will never be found. Mr. Hall is an asset to the profession and is to be highly regarded.”
(Selected Independent Funeral Homes Bulletin, 1990) 
funeral staff Norman Hall
Norman Hall
Owner 1987-2019

funeral home staff Robert Mcintosh Jr.
In 2007, Robert A. McIntosh, Jr. joined Davis Funeral Home. A native of Nashua, Bob served his apprenticeship at a local Nashua funeral home and earned his associates degree from the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Science in 1990 were he studied funeral service and embalming.  He has worked in the Nashua area as a funeral director and as a diener, conducting autopsies with Nashua Pathology for thirty years.  

In March of 2019, after 12 years of service to the Davis Funeral Home, Bob purchased the funeral home from Norman Hall. He is committed to continuing to maintain the Davis Funeral Home as an independent funeral home with the the traditional values and personal service that Nashua and the surrounding communities have known and trusted for over 175 years. 

Bob & Norman

Davis Funeral Home Achieves Excellence

Member of the Selected Independent Funeral Homes

Although we can say our funeral home meets the highest standards and we have an amazing reputation, it is better to prove it. In 1971, Davis Funeral Home was selected as a member for the Selected Independent Funeral Homes (SIFS), an international organization that only extends invitations to funeral homes that have earned the highest level of service and integrity. Selected Independent Funeral Homes is the world’s oldest and largest association of independently-owned and community based funeral service providers. The association believes in a connection to the community, accountability to families served, and the need to maintain an exemplary reputation well beyond minimum professional standards. Their commitment is that a family receives the best information, the best care and the greatest flexibility in developing a funeral or memorial service that meets the family’s needs. Going forward as a member, we have agreed to operate according to the Code of Good Practice from the Selected Independent Funeral Homes which was created in the interest of the public.
Furthermore, Davis Funeral Home under the Selected Independent Funeral Homes is the only funeral home in Nashua that is a certified “Selected Transfer Services” provider. This title means Davis Funeral Home is able to provide other funeral home members of the SIFS timely, efficient, and quality services of embalming, cremation, etc. at a reduced rate. Some times funeral homes may not have the capacity to handle demand at all times. In this case, a funeral home, such as Davis Funeral Home, can provide their assistance at a low cost to help them through this time of high demand.
Selected Independent Funeral Homes logo
National Funeral Directors Association logo

National Funeral Directors Association “Pursuit of Excellence” Award

Annually since 1995, Davis Funeral Home has been a recipient of the National Funeral Directors Association’s “Pursuit of Excellence” Award. This award is presented to only about 200 funeral homes in the United States each year who provide exceptional service, adhere to the highest levels of professional standards, are active members of the community, and go well beyond the expectations of families.

Membership in the Selected Independent Funeral Homes and winning the Pursuit of Excellence Award demonstrates the quality of our funeral services. Davis Funeral Home grew as a small Nashua funeral home in 1842 to an established leader in the funeral industry for the entire country.
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