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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.

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Amenities

Location

Cremation

Service

Religious & Cultural

Other

100% SERVICE GUARANTEE

At Dignity Memorial, we take our promises seriously. That’s why we offer a 100% service guarantee. We strive to get every detail right the first time, every time. If for some reason we don’t and you’re dissatisfied with any aspect of your service, we will remedy it quickly and fully.

Learn about our Dignity Difference benefits.

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Ratings & Reviews

Verified Customer Reviews

Since 2005, many of our customers have taken the time to tell us how we did each year via our Voice of the Customer program. Our star ratings and comments from families come directly from these surveys.

"The staff when above expectations, very resourceful and open to any questions. Very pleasant to work with."

jd-power-verified-checkmark Verified Burial & Memorial Service Customer

October 2020

"We felt that the staff were very attentive and considered of our concerns and requests. Everything was exactly as we had requested and we were very grateful to the staff for helping us through this difficult time."

jd-power-verified-checkmark Verified Burial & Memorial Service Customer

September 2020

"The staff at Needham Funeral home we're very flexible and accommodating to ensure our specific needs for my mother's service were met. They were helpful, supportive and understanding while I navigated through making arrangements for the first time. I appreciated everything they did for us."

jd-power-verified-checkmark Verified Burial & Memorial Service Customer

August 2020

"The staff was incredible, very compassionate. Made me feel very at ease. The whole staff took care of my father wonderfully and very respectful and I will forever be grateful. Thank you needhams ❤️"

jd-power-verified-checkmark Verified Burial & Memorial Service Customer

August 2020

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