A Century of Service & Tradition

The year was 1900. A new century, a new business, a new tradition begins. Five brothers, John L., Fred, Albert, William, and Juddie Ziegenhein opened the doors of their new funeral home on the corner of Texas and Cherokee Streets in South St. Louis. They saw a need for a livery service and funeral home in that area and were helped by their uncle, St. Louis Mayor Henry Ziegenhein, a South St. Louis builder. Though funeral customs have changed over the years, the Ziegenhein tradition of providing dignified, caring, and affordable funeral service to our clients has not only continued, but actually expanded over these 100+ years.

The five Ziegenhein brothers operated the funeral home for three decades. John L., Sr. wanted to bring his wife, Lillian, and their three sons, Edward J., Walter E., and John L., Jr., into the business. So in the fall of 1931, John L., Sr., established his own funeral home, John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home at 7027 Gravois. At that time, everyone told him, “You’ll never make a go of it way out there.” That early assumption proved false, the business prospered and it has expanded into a south county location.

The city location, John L. Ziegenhein & Sons on Gravois, still contains three of its original and unique features. The lobby contains a fish pond with an imported Italian statue that draws attention from young and old alike. A large vase, which was part of the display at the Japanese Pavilion in the 1904 World’s Fair, also sits in the lobby. A stately grandfather clock, which once adorned the office of Mayor Henry Ziegenhein (St. Louis City Mayor, 1897-1901), stands near the chapel doors.

In 1940 the four remaining Ziegenhein brothers, Fred, Albert, William, and Juddie, closed their funeral home at Texas and Cherokee Streets. They opened the new Ziegenhein brothers Funeral Home at the corner of Gravois and Holly Hills. They operated their funeral business at that location until they closed their doors in 1961. Now a Walgreen’s drugstore stands on that site.

John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home prospered under the direction of John L., Sr., and his three sons, Edwin, Walter, and John L. With the passing of the Ziegenhein family, ownership of the business transferred to key employees in December 1995. This ensured that the Ziegenhein tradition would continue; and the business would remain a locally, family-owned & operated funeral home. On May 22, 1995 John L. Ziegenhein & Sons opened a second location at 4830 Lemay Ferry Road to better serve clients in the south county area.

Our pledge to you is that the John L Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home will continue to provide the people of the St. Louis area, and beyond, with the same caring and affordable service that the Ziegenhein family worked so hard to cultivate and nurture since 1900.

We help life go on -
one family at a time