The Wilson Funeral Home has been a cornerstone of Wellington’s community for over a century, offering compassionate and professional funeral services since the late 1800s.
Our History
The Wilson Funeral Home has stood as a trusted presence in Wellington for over 120 years. Our story begins with Robert Henry Wilson, born in Auckland in 1856, who spent his early years living with his family at the remote Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse. Following in his father’s footsteps, Robert joined the New Zealand Lighthouse Service in 1877, serving at several coastal stations including Dog Island and Pencarrow Head. While stationed at Pencarrow, he married Emily Saunders in 1882.
In 1885, with a young family to consider, Robert left lighthouse life behind and began work as a contractor in Wellington. Just over a decade later, his name appeared above the door of Flyger and Wilson, Undertakers and Contractors, in Cuba Street – Te Aro. In 1898, he stepped out on his own and founded what would become The Wilson Funeral Home, originally operating from Tutchen Street in Mt. Victoria. Between 1902 and 1905, the business moved to Adelaide Road – Newtown, where the Wilson family lived above the “funeral parlour” – a true family-run enterprise.
Robert was known for his compassion and integrity, values carried on by his children. By 1912, the firm was known as Robert H. Wilson & Sons, with sons Thomas, William (Bill), and Harold all contributing to the business. Each brought their own character and strengths: Bill was a serious and committed leader, while Harold was a warm and humorous presence who could bring calm to even the most emotional of days.
Over the decades, the company grew in both reputation and capacity. Leadership passed through generations, with new stewards taking the reins, including Alan Irvine, who purchased the firm from Bill and Harold in 1957. Alan, trained at the prestigious San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, brought a vision for professionalising funeral service in New Zealand. He played a key role in establishing formal training for funeral directors and embalmers—an effort that continues to benefit the profession nationwide.
Ownership transitioned again through the 1970s and ’80s, including a chapter as The Wilson-Pailthorpe Funeral Home, before returning to its roots as The Wilson Funeral Home under the ownership of Simon Manning and Todd Wearne. In 1999, the firm moved to its current premises at 375 Adelaide Road. Modern, purpose-designed facilities that include a chapel, reception lounge, and spaces designed for comfort, reflection, and personalised care. These facilities have been refurbished over the years and now support live streaming, so family and friends unable to attend in person can still be part of the service.
Today, The Wilson Funeral Home operates from two locations: our main office in Newtown and a branch in Karori, open by appointment. We provide funeral services to the Wellington community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our dedicated team ensures that every funeral is conducted with the utmost care and respect, acknowledging the emotional demands on families during difficult times.
In August 2023, we joined with innovative and like-minded funeral providers across New Zealand to become part of the Propel Funeral Partners group. This partnership strengthens our ability to serve families while maintaining our unique identity and values. As part of this transition, Simon Manning took on a board position within the group, continuing to contribute to the future of funeral care at a national level.
What makes The Wilson Funeral Home unique is not only its long history but also the continuity of care and dedication across generations. Though the funeral profession has changed dramatically since Robert Wilson’s time, from drawn blinds and hushed tones to today’s open, expressive celebrations of life the heart of our work remains the same: to support families with compassion, professionalism, and dignity.
