About

Needham Funeral Service has provided London families with care and compassion since Russell Needham purchased Harrison & Skinner Funeral Home in 1949. Our funeral home, more than 135 years old, has been modernized to suit your needs, while maintaining elegance and historical value.

We have on-site parking for approximately 100 vehicles and reception facilities for groups of up to 75 guests. We offer a broad range of services and welcome people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds.

Maybe you are seeking a basic cremation with a scattering in a meaningful place, or maybe your loved one wanted a full traditional funeral service with a cemetery burial. Or perhaps a creative outdoor celebration complete with live music, favourite foods, personal tributes and funeral favours is the order of the day. Whatever you need, we are here to help you and your family celebrate a life well-lived.

Your trusted provider

As a member of the Dignity Memorial® network, Needham Funeral Service gives you not only the warm, familiar attention you expect from a locally operated funeral home but also the value you deserve by way of the largest network of, funeral, burial, cremation and cemetery service providers in North America. Please feel free to visit and tour the funeral home, and call us if you need immediate help planning a funeral or would like more information about our services.

History

Sitting area at Needham Funeral ServiceLocated on its original acreage at 520 Dundas St. in the heart of downtown London, Needham Funeral Service is considered a local landmark. The funeral home has been updated to suit the needs of the families we serve while maintaining an air of elegance and historical value.

A welcoming private home

Designed as a private home by William Robinson circa 1870, the original builder and owner was likely James H. Fraser of the law firm Fraser & Fraser. James was a member of the Queen’s Council, a status title given by the monarchy usually to barristers and recognized by the courts. His distinctive central London home was of the Italianate architectural style, characterized by rounded window and door openings, hipped roofs, strongly accentuated corners and cornice brackets.

The location evolves

After serving as a family home for about 50 years, the building sat vacant for a couple of years in the 1920s before becoming a Masonic Temple. Mizra Grotto Temple also served as a girls' school during the day (Miss Matthews School) and a Baptist church on Sundays. Other organizations and groups also rented space in the building until 1937 or 1938, when it became the location for Harrison & Skinner Funeral Home. Russell Needham purchased Harrison & Skinner Funeral Home in 1949 and renamed it Needham Funeral Service. His son, Lloyd, took over in the 1970s. Today, we are a member of the Dignity Memorial® network, the largest group of licensed funeral service providers in North America.

Celebration of Life Planning

Our planners are celebration of life experts. We plan more celebrations each year than any other provider, and we know just what to do to create a uniquely beautiful and heartfelt tribute with attention to detail like no other.

Every family who entrusts us with their loved one’s service can expect an event that includes:
  • meaningful music celebration of life
  • cherished memories celebration of life
  • a personalized message celebration of life

Start planning a celebration of life today

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Get inspired by our offerings

When planning a celebration of life, your imagination is the only limit.

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Plan a Simple Cremation

Simple can still mean exceptional. Let us show you how.

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Remember the one you love

Honour the memory of your loved one with cemetery flower placement.

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Remember the one you love

Honour the memory of your loved one with cemetery flower placement. You choose the flowers. You choose the months. We do the rest.

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Unable to find an obituary?

Not finding what you are looking for? Search for your loved one's obituary across any of our other locations.

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