SA Chapter HALL OF FAME

Web: http://alfredjames.com.au/

Alfred James, born in 1881, was one of seven brothers and one sister. His father, John Benjamin James, a cabinetmaker and undertaker in Hyde Park, died in 1900 and his business died with him.

Alfred worked for John Martin & Co, but then established a transport and delivery business at Parkside. In March 1922, the family of the deceased Richard Mitchell (also a carrier and related to Alfred’s wife May) approached Alfred to conduct Richard’s funeral. So Alfred and May James hired the equipment, conducted their first funeral at the West Terrace Cemetery and, in doing so, began what was to become a multi-generational family business.

Alfred’s son, Murray James, entered the fledging business in 1930 and learned coffin-making skills from George A Beeching, a funeral director of Prospect. The business prospered during and following the Great Depression and in 1933, Alfred and Murray moved to the present head office location at Unley.

The funeral parlour at Unley was built in 1942. Then, in 1947, just prior to Alfred’s death, the business of the late George A Beeching was acquired.

Following World War II service, Alfred’s second son, Nelson James, also joined the growing business and established a branch office at Mile End.

The business entered its third generation when Murray’s son, Graham James, joined the business in 1962 following the purchase of Partington & Son at Black Forest and, in 1965, Harold J Moore & Sons of Alberton. In 1975 a new location at Morphett Vale was acquired. These new locations ensured that the name Alfred James & Sons became a very familiar icon throughout Adelaide.

In 1992, following the deaths of Nelson and Murray, Murray James’ family acquired the Nelson James interests and over the past twelve years has established four modern funeral homes, which have been said to exceed the quality of similar facilities in the US. Graham James is now the Managing Director, with a team of dedicated professionals, including his wife, Judy, who is Community Relations Manager.

Over the years, the company has managed to establish seven service locations throughout Adelaide. At a time when companies are being bought and consolidated into multi-national entities, Alfred James & Sons is quietly working through a process of succession planning to ensure that the business continues well into the 21st century.

Alfred James & Sons was inducted to the FBA(SA) Hall of Fame in 2003.