Originally known as Trenerry Bros, it started when Joseph Trenerry came to Griffith in 1919 from Broken Hill.

Joe started funeral directing in conjunction with his plumbing business in the new town of Griffith in late 1919.

His sons Bill and Wally continued the funeral business (J Trenerry & Sons) up until 1990 when Bill’s daughter Carol and husband Greg Collier purchased the business, renaming it Collier Trenerry.

Now under the third generation of family ownership, Collier Trenerry employs six permanent staff and two casuals.

“The main focus of Collier Trenerry is as its motto says: ‘Families Helping Families’,” Greg Collier said. 

“We feel a family’s pain and want to carry it for them. The families we serve are of the greatest value and in our service, we want the best for them.”

The first hearse used by Joe Trenerry was horse drawn and this was used up until 1926 when a Studebaker ute was purchased and the body of the horse drawn hearse was mounted on the back.

Bill and Wally used to dig the graves at Griffith cemetery – which was just a paddock – with a pick and shovel. In 1959 when the cemetery was turned over to Wade Shire Council mechanical digging became common.

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“The funeral industry has changed from a service and burial from hospital to cemetery, to refrigerated storage of bodies, viewings, orders of service booklets, PowerPoint presentations, music/sound systems, to every conceivable option a family may think of,” Mr Collier said.

“Procedural changes are now a paperwork nightmare with local and state government applications and registrations.

“A funeral in 1990 would have taken approximately four working hours whereas today’s funerals will often take up to 12-man hours from arrangement to completion.”

TALKING about end of life arrangements can be confronting to some people, so the idea of arranging their own funeral requires guidance and professional help.

Therefore, those who do not want to burden family with funeral arrangements following their passing are increasingly turning to pre-paid funerals.

The biggest benefit of a pre-arranging and prepaying a funeral is knowing loved ones will be relieved of difficult decisions and the financial burden for the funeral at one of the most difficult times of their lives.

Griffith’s longest established funeral directors, Collier Trenerry, is in the perfect position to help people manage their pre-paid funeral. Owners Greg Collier and Carol Collier have trained staff on hand to help with arrangements and answer any questions.

“When faced with having to make funeral arrangements, most people have no prior experience in organising such an event and little knowledge of what to do,” Mr Collier said. 

Planning for your funeral is as logical and sensible as making a will.

Collier Trenerry will guide clients through the planning process, explaining the options and services available and the costs involved.

At Collier Trenerry a person or family will meet with a trained pre-arranged consultant to establish a contract that outlines the details of a selected funeral service that is paid for now but provided at a future date.

“When planning a funeral, decisions need to be made on all the options. For example, type of service, its location, music, readings, poetry, officiant, Power Point presentation, and order of service,” Mr Collier said. “They will decide whether there will be a burial or a cremation, graveside or church service, the choice of a coffin, the selection of funeral notices, deciding on floral tributes and looking at catering options.

“Collier Trenerry will ensure that all wishes are fulfilled.”

Mr Collier said the cost of a pre-paid funeral is fixed, regardless of future price increases. It does not impact on a pension entitlement, as it is not subject to an income or asset test.

“By planning and pre-paying your funeral arrangements in advance you can be sure that your funeral wishes are carried out exactly as you want and that your family members are protected from the financial burden of paying for your funeral,” Mr Collier said.

Funeral planning, before the need arises, is a positive way of putting our affairs in order. 

“Usually, we will not wish to leave all the stressful tasks to our family. We will also benefit from a greater sense of calm and control when we have looked after an issue ourselves.”

Any person wishing to pre-arrange their funeral with Collier Trenerry can be assured of complete confidentiality and discretion.