The Davis Funeral Home History

Davis Funeral Home Building

Our History
Continuing a Long-standing Tradition of Care
About Our Logo

Our History

The Davis Funeral Home was established in 1842 by Moses Davis, a local “grave stone maker”. It is the oldest continuing funeral home in Nashua and the oldest established business with its roots in, and still maintaining its office within the geographic boundaries of Nashua. It is the oldest funeral in Hillsborough County, the second oldest in the state of New Hampshire and amongst the oldest in the nation. Four generations of the Davis family continued the operation of the business until 1972 when Albert A. Davis sold the business and the name to his associate, Robert S. Ainscow. It is presently owned and operated by Norman E. Hall who has been with the Davis Funeral Home since 1972 and acquired the business in 1987.

Since its founding, the Davis Funeral Home has served Nashua and the surrounding communities with dedication, commitment, and service. Through its high standards and reputation in the community it was selected for membership in the Selected Independent Funeral Homes (SIFH) in 1971. Membership in this international organization is by invitation and is extended only to independent firms having achieved the highest standards of service and integrity. This firm, as a condition of membership, agrees to adhere to SIFH's standards and Code of Good Funeral Practice, created and dedicated in the public interest. Only one funeral home in an area is usually accorded this honor and the Davis Funeral Home is proud to be so designated.

Independent funeral homes, such as the members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, have worked in their respective communities for generations. 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.

Annually since 1995, the Davis Funeral Home was also honored to be one of the few funeral homes in the United States designated as a recipient of the prestigious “Pursuit of Excellence Award” presented by the National Funeral Director's Association. It is an honor received for unique programming, outstanding accomplishment in funeral service and innovative achievement in the fields of professional, educational and community service.

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Continuing a Long-standing Tradition of Care

We have a long-standing tradition of compassionate service, community involvement, honesty and integrity.

Moses Davis - “...a large hearted man who had a kind word for everybody...whose word was as good as a note on the bank of England” - Obituary, January 3, 1888, Nashua Telegraph

Harland A. Davis - “...was a most likeable 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, October 9, 1928, Nashua Telegraph

Albert A. Davis - “...was always of a charitable mind... particularly in the conduct of his business.” - Obituary, February 15, 1911, Nashua Telegraph

“... will be remembered, as were his uncle, grand-father and great-grandfather, as a kind, generous and charitable person, helping those less fortunate.”

Robert S. Ainscow - “Mr. Ainscow was instrumental in having the Davis Funeral Home accepted into the membership of Selected Independent Funeral Homes an international organization that accepts only independent funeral homes by invitation only, who maintain the highest levels of service and care.”

We are proud to continue and maintain the founders' visions and traditions, and at the same time maintaining our dedication to fulfilling the present needs of all who call upon us.

Norman E. Hall - “-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.” - Quoted Item from Selected Independent Funeral Homes Bulletin, Sept., 1990 and Aug., 1991.

Andrew R. Hall - “-Our family thanks you so much for everything you did to make our time of sorrow easier. Everything was so efficiently handled that it seemed effortless, so we could concentrate on our guests.” - Quoted Item from Selected Independent Funeral Home Survey.

We believe to maintain this level of care and service to those we serve, we must continue to educate ourselves with the most current help and information available, through our ongoing commitment to education through numerous seminars and conferences.

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About Our Logo

Our Trademarked “Candle” logo and “One Memory Lights Another” motto, were designed by a collaboration of our staff members. We felt a strong need and desire to create a logo that would help promote and perpetuate those wonderful memories which sustain us during those difficult times we face.

During our collaboration we came up with the following description…

“As one candle, lights another, bringing brightness to a dark room, so does one memory light another, keeping a loved one alive in our hearts and minds forever.

Pins are available at our Grief Store.

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