Our legacy

Our History

Explore our history and learn more about the people, milestones, and traditions that have shaped our funeral home over the years. Discover the story behind our commitment to serving families with care and compassion.

Our History

John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Homes enters the new millennium with a century of service to the people of St. Louis. In 1900, John L. Ziegenhein, Sr., and his four brothers opened their funeral home on the corner of Texas and Cherokee Streets in St. Louis, Missouri. Thus began the first century of dignified and caring funeral services to the neighborhood folks of South St. Louis.

In the fall of 1931, John L. Ziegenhein, Sr. opened his own family funeral home at 7027 Gravois Avenue to bring his children into the family business. The business name was now John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Directors.

Some unique features of this building are located in the lobby:



• The fish pond with its Italian fountain statue
• The grandfather clock which once occupied the office of Mayor Henry Ziegenhein (1897-1901)
• The beautiful vase which was a part of the Japanese pavilion at the 1904 World's Fair
• The imported black Italian marble walls

John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home prospered for over 60 years under the direction of John L. Sr., and his three sons: Edwin, Walter, and John L., Jr. Because none of these Ziegenhein men had any heirs, the ownership of the firm passed into the hands of key employees in December of 1995. This ensured that the Ziegenhein tradition of dignified and caring funeral services would continue. Today, the long-time employee and now former owner Roger Richie, born and raised in South St. Louis, will continue to be active with the funeral home and still be there to greet families.

On May 22, 1995, John L. Ziegenhein & Sons opened their second funeral home location at 4830 Lemay Ferry Road (63129) to provide funeral services to the families of the South County area. The location was named John L. Ziegenhein & Sons South County.

We pledge to you that John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Homes will continue to be locally operated and provide dignified, caring, sensitive, and affordable funeral services to the people of St. Louis and adjoining areas. Our mission is to bring peace and comfort to the sorrow, to help celebrate a life lived, and to affirm the dignity of all people.

Celebrating Life in Our Community

Since 1933, we have been devoted to serving families in our area with high-quality burial, funeral, and cremation services. Our experienced staff members are active in our community and prioritize volunteering and attending local events. We respect the power of remembrance and the value of funerals. We believe in recognizing the significance of every life and honoring the difference your loved one made in the world. Paying tribute to their loved ones helps family and friends grieve their loss and begin the healing process.