| Some History of Newhaven In 1977 the Connolly family experienced the death of a two year old child. Thirty year old Phil Connolly watched in dismay as a former family friend and Funeral Director carried out the ritual of arranging and conducting the funeral. "There must be a better way," he thought. The final straw came when the Director refused to explain the contents of the abundant account and attempted to belittle him for inquiring. Phil researched the funeral world examining processes and traditions in an attempt to simplify the funeral so ordinary people could understand the costs and why they were doing what they were doing. In 1979 he connected with like-minded future partners Keith Russell and Vanessa Hume. This was to change the face of the funeral industry in Australia for ever. After two years of operation their funeral company was conducting 3000 funerals per year. The established industry refused to take this beating and embarked on a campaign to discredit this new funeral company. Crematoria bans, union disruption, and rejection from coffin suppliers became common. Misleading national media comment was seen by the public as a sham and support spiralled. The company became Australia's first national funeral company and enjoyed unprecedented success. Unfortunately growth has a price and a decision was carried to make the company the first of its kind to be listed on the stock exchange. A wise decision for a time but eventually the original shareholders became minority shareholders and control and ownership lapsed. In 1989 with the vast experience of the former venture behind them the Connolly's started afresh. Slower, more sustainable growth the target. They were determined Newhaven Funerals would give the very best service to their families and never again be subjected to unfair restriction. Who could predict the massive injection of United States investment capitol from 1994, which was used by two American Funeral Giants to buy large portion of the countries Funeral assets. Overnight a new kind of competition sprang up. Funeral Directors unused to severe competition by way of what they described as unethical, unprecedented scramble for the funeral dollar succumbed to the might of the US$ and quickly sold. Others, frightened or disgusted by sales strategies, telemarketing and up selling of funeral commodities joined them. Soon almost eighty percent of Australia's funerals were being conducted by foreign funeral companies. Crematoriums and cemeteries followed. Acquisitions accompanied by headlines such as, Making a killing out of grief or Elderly resident's upset by funerals "hard sell" were common.
Determination Wins The Connollys suffered financially and had their growth handicapped by the enourmouse power of the multi-nationals, but were determined to maintain ownership of their comapny and promote growth in spite of pressures. To date all goals have been attained. The company has a continuing fast growth rate, operates crematoria, manufactures coffins, runs grief recovery/training programs in Cairns, Mackay, Brisbane, and Gold Coast.
Decision Time! The decision was taken in 1998 to expand and combat the foreign take-over threat by making available full training and facilities to selected suitable people who wished to enter the Funeral business but lacked the necessary skills, experience or confidence. Newhaven is committed to help transform inexperienced applicants into highly successful Funeral Directors by providing training, expertise, systems and a series of specialised and proven market enhancing ideas.
Where? Any City / Town in Australia or New Zealand that does not have a Newhaven Funerals outlet is available. 
Why A Funeral Franchise? A Funeral Franchise is the beginning of the movement to bring back the Traditional values of the Community Family Funeral Director. Traditionally, worldwide, Funeral Directors have been an integral part of the community creating empathetic and trustful relationships with families and forming generational connections with the people they serve. The last several years has seen the demise of the family Funeral Director as large international companies offered irresistible deals to second, third and fourth generation Funeral Directors. The old established names remain but the companies are consolidated into efficient cash cows for their largely American shareholders. In the past nine years Newhaven has developed systems and a format which enables even the most inexperienced but enthusiastic people to operate a successful Funeral Business. The Connolly's share the sincere believe that Franchising this program will assist the profession to regain its former dignity and personal Australian owned entity.
Franchise Applications Applications may be made to:
The Directors,
21 Quinns Hill Road
Stapylton, QLD 4207
Please include a brief precis of previous business experience, financial capacity and area preferred for Franchising. Email to: admin@newhavenfunerals.com.au | 
