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About

The history of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Crematory reaches back to 1836, when Henry Brown founded H.J. Brown Coffin House in Raleigh. Since then, five generations have done everything they can to make Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Crematory one of the more complete mortuary establishments in North Carolina. Ours is the oldest business in the city and the oldest funeral home in the state. Tradition is very important to us, and yet we are always looking forward, adapting and caring for Raleigh’s families in unique ways.

Our building and personalized funerals

Sitting area at Brown-Wynne Funeral HomeWe are a growing and progressive company in one of the most vibrant communities in the United States. We provide the personalized funeral services and celebration of life ceremonies you want.

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Crematory offers catering options and personalized funerals, including traditional chapel services, large visitations and contemporary celebrations. Our location was remodeled in 2006 and now offers the Wynne Center, the largest celebration of life facility in the Raleigh area. The Wynne Center is equipped for all kinds of gatherings, whether you desire a full-size banquet meal or finger foods and beverages.

Please let us know how we can make your loved one's service a special and meaningful ceremony. We help create personalized funerals with custom touches—a dove release, musicians, themed decor and much more.

Cremations for Raleigh

Not everyone knows that there are many cremation options. If you are interested in cremation, the funeral home team can explain the process and different options. From a direct cremation without a memorial service or a witness cremation to a full funeral service before or after the cremation and more, we help you understand this increasingly common choice—and handle all of the cremation arrangements.

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Crematory has two on-site crematories, offering a significant convenience for you. Instead of your having to coordinate with two facilities, we handle all of the details for cremations right here. During the cremation process, you and your family are welcome to stay close to your loved one in our private committal chapel.

We’re always here

Please contact us if you need immediate assistance or more information about our services. We are here for every question, and we would love to schedule your tour of the Wynne Center.

History

Henry Brown founded the H.J. Brown Coffin House in Raleigh in 1836. He'd operated the funeral services business for more than 30 years when, in 1868, he helped transfer 267 Confederate soldiers from Rock Quarry Cemetery to Oakwood Cemetery.

When Henry died in 1879, he left his well-respected funeral home to his son, John W. Brown, who became the first president of the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association. In 1915, Henry’s grandson, Fab Brown, brought motor-driven hearses to the business. This pattern of innovation is a hallmark of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Crematory to this day.

Relocations over the years

Brown-Wynne has grown along with Raleigh and the surrounding cities. The original building site was at the corner of Dawson and Morgan. The home moved to the corner of Hargett and Salisbury in 1889 and again in 1928 to Hillsborough Street.

In 1954, Robert W. Wynne Jr. built a new home on the corner of St. Mary’s and North streets. He also had the foresight to expand to Cary in 1969 and the Millbrook community in 1973.

175 years and counting

In 1991, Brown-Wynne became part of the Dignity Memorial® network, North America’s largest network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers.

In 2011, Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Crematory celebrated its 175th anniversary. We’re pleased to say that in the same year Henry J. Brown was inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame for his business leadership and contribution to our great city.

Amenities

Location

Cremation

Service

Other

Plan a Simple Cremation

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

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Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

1-800-Flowers

View arrangements

Bouquet of flowers on a cemetery 

Remember the one you love

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

Learn More
Floral component background

Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

1-800-Flowers

View arrangements

Bouquet of flowers on a cemetery

Remember the one you love

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

Learn More

Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

View arrangements
Floral component background

Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

1-800-Flowers

View arrangements

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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.

VIEW OBITUARIES
Floral component background

Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

1-800-Flowers

View arrangements

Vintage photos scattered

Unable to find an obituary?

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

VIEW OBITUARIES
A beautiful bouquet of flowers

Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

 1-800-Flowers

View Arrangements
Bouquet of flowers on a cemetery

Remember the one you love

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

Learn More
Vintage photos scattered

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.

VIEW OBITUARIES

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.

"Every member of the Brown-Wynne team was extremely professional and caring!"

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

July 2021

"From the moment my husband and I arrived at the funeral home until the end of my mother's service, every detail was explained and handled with such warm care. Any question was answered promptly and with compassion and professionally. We are very thankful."

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

June 2021

"Brown Wynne provides an exceptionally competent and thorough service. Every detail was handled to perfection, leaving the family free to reflect on the departed and to concentrate on receiving their guests. In addition, the staff took a genuine interest in the life of our departed father and in the family. We feel we were in the best of hands."

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

June 2021

"Mark Blake and the entire staff at Brown-Wynne, St. Mary's Street were extremely professional, thoughtful, and genuine. They strove to accommodate our wishes and guide us through unfamiliar procedures at a difficult time. At no time did we feel pressured or exploited. I don't think our experience could have been any better. I would give Mark and his staff our highest recommendation."

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

May 2021

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