Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory

Our building and personalized funerals

We 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

The H.J. Brown Coffin House was founded in Raleigh in 1836 by Henry Brown. Since then, five generations have done everything to make Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Crematory one of the most complete mortuary establishments in North Carolina.

As North Carolina’s oldest funeral home and Raleigh's oldest business, Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Crematory has a strong connection with the community. In 1868, Henry assisted in the transfer of 267 Confederate soldiers from Rock Quarry Cemetery to Oakwood Cemetery.

Motor-driven hearses

Henry died in 1879, leaving care of the firm 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, began using motor-driven hearses for funerals. This pattern of progress is a hallmark of the business and continues today.

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.