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. The Davis Funeral Home occupies the historic Isaac Marshall House, built in 1840, which provides a comfortable homelike atmosphere where families can pay final respects to their deceased loved ones in a quiet, dignified manner. It is located in the historic district of Nashua and has served as the location of the funeral home since the early 1900’s. Over the years many changes have taken place within the building, the most recent being in 1993 when a large addition was built to accommodate a second chapel for visitation and services, separate selection rooms for various funeral service needs, and a funeral service museum devoted to the history and heritage of the Davis Funeral Home. Among other items, this area contains a horse drawn hearse on sleigh runners, built in the 1840’s. The funeral home also meets all the ADA specifications for handicapped accessibility, has a ramped main entrance, and has a building-wide sprinkler system for greater safety of those entrusted to our care. A perimeter security system is another feature to ensure the safety and protection of the funeral home. 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. 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. We received the prestigious Golden Eagle Award in 2001, and acheived Emeritus Status in 2003 & 2004. 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.
