History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.
Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
In 1915 Mr. Augustus Hedrick Craig went to work at L.F. Sanchez Funeral Home which was established in 1899. The original funeral home was located at 30 St. George Street, in what is now the historical part of St. Augustine. After a few years Mr. Craig became a partner in the business and in 1918 the name was changed to L.F. Sanchez & Craig Funeral Directors. The funeral home was located on the first floor and the Craig family lived upstairs.
In 1934 the location and name of the funeral home changed again. Mr. Craig became the sole proprietor of Craig Funeral Home, Inc. the new funeral home was located at 20 Granada Street, where it remained until 1984. Sadly, in 1943 Mr. Craig passed away. His wife, Willie Lee “Bambo” Craig and her sons continued to run the family business. Mrs. Craig passed away on February 4, 1980.
In 1984, due to the increasing size of St. Augustine the funeral home was relocated to its present day location at 1475 Old Dixie Highway. The Flagler College Auditorium now sits where the funeral home once stood. One year later the Craig family acquired St. Augustine Memorial Park. In 2001 we finished construction on the annex building which allowed us to move our business office out of the main building and just across the parking lot, thus reducing the amount of noise in the funeral home created by office equipment. In 2002, we installed our crematory located at St. Augustine Memorial Park. We are the only funeral home in St. Augustine who own and operate a crematory, allowing us to have total control over the cremation process. In 2005, the funeral home had its interior redecorated to bring in more light and update the furnishings. We have always strived to continue to update our facilities and services to provide our families that allow us to serve them with the highest quality.
Private Ambulance Service
Today, ambulance service and emergency transport is handled by the city or county fire rescue department, but before they took over this service it was provided by local funeral homes. Just as other funeral homes, Craig Funeral Home operated a private ambulance service form 1918 until the mid 1970’s. Many people in St. Augustine where transported to local hospitals in one of our hearses that also doubled as an ambulance.
St. Augustine Volunteer Life Guard Corps. Season, 1933
Picture taken in front of a Craig Funeral Home ambulance
Augustus Hedrick Craig
1884 - 1943
Mr. Craig was born on October 1, 1884 in Orange County, North Carolina to William Paisley and Mary Smith Craig. Mr. Craig along with his brother, Ezra moved to Florida in 1911, to work as carpenters for the Florida East Coast Railroad Co. In 1914 Mr. Craig became a Deputy with the St. Augustine Police Department and later became the Captain of Police and a Deputy Marshal. On February 4, 1915, Mr. A.H. Craig and Willie Lee Bush where married in St. Augustine. Also in 1915, Mr. Craig went to work at L.F. Sanchez Funeral Home which was established in 1899. Mr. Craig became a partner in the business and in 1918 the name was changed to L.F. Sanchez & Craig Funeral Directors. In 1934 the name was change once again to Craig Funeral Home, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Craig had three sons, Augustus Hedrick Craig, Jr. in 1920, William P. Craig, II in 1922 and Stuart Grady Craig in 1925. Sadly on Wednesday, September 1, 1943, Mr. Craig passed away and was interred at Evergreen Cemetery in St. Augustine.
A.H. “Gus” Craig, Jr.
1920-2008
A.H. "Gus" Craig, Jr. Born in St. Augustine in 1920 to Augustus Hedrick and Willie Mae Craig the second of three sons. He was a graduate of the Ketterlinus High School and the University of Florida and Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science. Gus served in the US Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet on the Murmansk Run to Russia in 1943. He spent 18 years in the Florida Legislature. An active member of the Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Augustine Jaycees, Boy Scouts of America, St. Augustine Rotary Club, St. Augustine Chamber of Commerce, Ashlar Lodge #98 F&AM, American Cancer Society, St. Johns County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Known to most of St. Augustine Residents as “Mr. Gus”.
Three Generations of the Craig Family
From Left to Right, Justin Craig, Gus Craig, III and Gus Craig, IV
Our Valued Staff
A.H. 'Gus' Craig III, Owner/Funeral Director/Embalmer
A.H. “Gus” Craig III, owner of Craig Funeral Home, born in 1951 in St. Augustine. A graduate of St. Augustine High School, and Miami Dade College of Mortuary Science. Employed by Craig Funeral Home since 1968 became a licensed embalmer in 1973 and Funeral Director in 1975. He is former director of the Florida Funeral Directors Association, and a member of the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida. He served in the Florida Air National Guard 1971-1977; he became a private pilot in 1970. He is a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church. He is a past president of the St. Augustine Rotary Club and Boys Work, Inc., Community Chest-United Fund of St. Johns County, past Master of Ashlars Lodge F&AM 98, Scottish and York Rite Bodies, Morocco Temple, past president St. Augustine Shrine Club, R.O.J. Ct 90, former director of the YMCA, Friends of Flagler College, American Cancer Society, St. Johns County Welfare Federation, past president and director of the Tri-County Mental Health Services, former director and coach of St. Augustine Little League, Elks #829. He is married to Sheryl and has three sons and two grandchildren.
Rusty Hall, Director Funeral Service Operations/Funeral Director
A heritage native of St Augustine, Rusty began working at the funeral home at a young age earning extra money for movies by washing cars and pulling weeds. Rusty is a 1984 graduate of St Joseph Academy and received his AS in mortuary science from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, GA. He is a member of the Cathedral-Basilica of St Augustine. Rusty is a active member of the St Augustine Sunrise Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a former president of the Board of Directors for the St. Augustine Humane Society and has served as the president of the ARC St Johns and on the community’s United Way Allocations Committee. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Menorcan Cultural Society and is the vice president of the St. Joseph Academy Alumni Association. He has four Jack Russell Terriers.
russelldhall@gmail.com
CJ Kidd, Administrative Manager/Direct Disposer
Cherre was born in St. Augustine, she graduated from St. Augustine High School, and was the first woman to join the Florida Army National Guard in 1973 where she served until 1984. An active member of Turning Point at Calvary Church. She joined the Craig Funeral Home family in 1979. Today she is a licensed Direct Disposer, certified Grief Counselor, Licensed Pastoral Counselor and Manager of the Funeral Home administrative staff.
Justin Matthew Craig, Funeral Director / Embalmer
Justin Craig was born in 1979 in St. Augustine and graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1997. Justin graduated from St. Johns River Community College with an Associate in Arts degree and then attended Flagler College where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Justin then went on to complete the Mortuary Science Program at Florida Community College of Jacksonville, graduating with a Associate in Science degree. Since passing his recent Florida law exam, he is now a fully liscensed Funeral Director / Embalmer, making him the fourth generation of Craig's in the funeral industry. He plans to carry on the tradition of excellent service that Craig Funeral Home is known for. When he is not at the funeral home you can usually find him on the tennis court or on the water wakeboarding. He is an active member of the St. Augustine Rotary Club and also serves on the St. Johns County Advisory Board for Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
Augustus Craig IV
Augustus “ Gus “ Craig IV was born and raised in St. Augustine, Florida and is following the footsteps of the founder Augustus Craig whom started this company in 1915. Gus graduated from Nease high school in 1994 and though having grown up in this business started his career as others in the family years ago at the cemetery. He has completed his pre-requisite courses to become an undertaker at St. Johns community college. Currently though he is finishing up at Florida State Community College of Jacksonville a program in Mortuary Science to obtain a director’s license. He plans to continue the family business alongside his brother and continue to offer St. Johns County the best possible service available for years to come. Currently Gus is active in the Kiwanis club of St. Augustine and donates a lot of time to various organizations in the community.
Daniel P. Haley, Funeral Director/Embalmer
Born in 1978 Dan Haley grew up in Plantation, FL. He attended South Plantation High School and graduated in 1997. Dan graduated from Miami-Dade College in 2003 with a degree in Mortuary Science and became a licensed funeral director/embalmer in 2004. Dan and his wife, Tara were engaged in St. Augustine and wanted very badly to return. They relocated to St. Augustine in 2005.
Linda Roy, Funeral Director/Embalmer
Linda Roy is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduate of James Madison High School. She moved to Columbia, South Carolina in 1973 and earned a BA in Business with a major in Marketing from the University of South Carolina. Her 10 year marketing career included introducing the first automated teller machines, and marketing one of the original Title 7 “New Towns”. In 1985 Linda married Jason Roy. They relocated to Florida and had two sons, Christopher and Brian. After staying home with her children, Mrs. Roy returned to school in 2003 and earned an AS in Mortuary Science from FCCJ. Linda served her internship and continues to work for Craig Funeral Home as a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Additionally Linda is a certified Stephen Minister, assisting people in crisis and an active member of St. Josephs Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Fl.
Howard Beckham, Funeral Director/Embalmer
Howard Beckham CFSP, is a Jacksonville native. He graduated from Bishop Kenny High School and from The University of North Florida with a BS Degree in Political Science with a Minor in Business. Howard was a Territory Manager for a large regional copier dealership for a number of years. He later joined Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Florida and became a Technical Analyst for managed health care programs. Seeking a more fulfilling career, Howard completed a degree in Mortuary Science at Florida Community College at Jacksonville and became a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 2005.
He is a member of the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida where he has served on the Legislative and PAC Committee for several years. He was elected by his fellow funeral directors to the District 2 seat of the Board of Directors of the IFDF for the 2008-2009 term. Howard is also a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and has earn the Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) designation in 2009. This is a voluntary certification program for funeral service practitioners that demonstrate a commitment to continued exceptional service and life-long learning. Currently there are only 33 funeral directors in Florida that have qualified for the CFSP designation.
Howard has been married for 26 years to Marie and together they have three wonderful children.
He volunteered to serve as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was assigned for two years to the California San Diego Mission. Since then, Howard has served in various positions in The Church, including Sunday School Teacher, and Elder’s President, and as Assistant High Priest Group Leader.
For over 15 years he has served as an Assistant Scout Master. He is a Wood Badge Course Graduate, and has also been on two Wood Badge Training Staffs. Currently he serves as The Shawnee District Camping Chairman and was awarded the District Award of Merit from The North Florida Council for his service to youth and adults through Scouting.
Howard can usually be found at lunch time on Tuesdays offering the prayer at the St. Augustine Kiwanis Club where he is an active member.
Pamela J. Smith, Prearrangement Counselor/Cemetery Resources
Pam Smith was born in 1955 in Ft. Hood, TX and graduated from Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, KY. In 1973 she married her husband, James and moved to St. Augustine. They have one son, Jay who is currently serving in the United States Air Force and two granddaughters. Pam has been employed at Craig Funeral Home since 1982 and is one of our prearrangement counselors and our cemetery resource counselor. Pam has also been a local Mary Kay representative for 5 years.
Teresa A. Brown, Accounting Manager
Born in Jacksonville, FL Teresa Brown moved to St. Augustine in 1973. She graduated with honors from St. Augustine High School and in 1980 married her high school sweetheart, David. They have three daughters, who are all married, and a granddaughter. Teresa is a member of Turning Point at Calvary, where she served as Senior Ministry Assistant before joining the Craig Funeral Home family in March, 2004. Teresa is active in fundraising and participating in “March of Dimes” and “Pink up the Pace” community events and getting our staff team together for these as well. She is a member of “Women of the Moose” and “Women’s Society Club” and is a Notary Public.
Beverly Zipperer, Office Assistant
Beverly Zipperer has been at Craig Funeral Home since February 2004 as a Death Registration Specialist. Born in Jacksonville, FL, January 6 1949, she grew up there and graduated from Terry Parker High School in 1967. She attended Massey Business College to become a Legal Secretary. She married her husband, Hugh, in November 1969 and they have two sons, Casey and Travis. She has been a Legal Secretary, Church Secretary and worked at a Christian book store before moving to St. Augustine in 1996.
Melinda Nelson, Administrative Assistant
Melinda was born in St. Augustine and graduated from St. Augustine High School. She worked 24 years with the Department of Military Affairs and retired as a Master Sergeant from the Florida Army National Guard. Melinda is married to Benny Nelson and they have one son, Deedo Nelson. Melinda has been a part of the Craig Funeral Home family since early in 2006.
Ron Hall, Foreman/Certified Crematory Operator
Ron supervises the staff at the Cemetery and is in charge of operating the crematory.
John Westervelt, Assistant Foreman/Certified Crematory Operator
John assists in preparing gravesites for burial and maintains the grounds. He is also a certified crematory operator.
Robert Leo Rodgers, III, Associate
Robert is a native and lifelong resident of St. Augustine. He graduated from Pedro Menendez High School. Robert has started a family with his fiance Stacey and thier daughter Jaidyn. He competes in ATV racing and won several races. He is very active in sports thoughout the community. He has been a member of the Craig Team since 2007 and has future goals to be a funeral director to help serve his community. Robert is active in Relay for LIfe for the American Cancer Society at Pedro Menendez High School.
Deborah O'Brien, Receptionist/Aftercare programmer
Debbie moved to St. Augustine from New York in 2006 Aside from being the Craig Funeral Home receptionist she also works on the the production of Memorial DVDs and many of the printed stationary for funerals. Debbie processes insurance claims and coordinates our aftercare program. Debbie works on our holiday project starting early in the year designing inviations and placing names on the memorial angels and doves. Debbie attends St. Anastasia Catholic Church. She has two sons who attend college in New York and a daughter who attends Pedro Menendez High School.
Chris Spears
Cemetery Associate, helps prepare graves for burial and maintains cemetery grounds.
Debbie Morales
Debbie Morales graduated from high school in Fort Lauderdale. She has resided in St. Augustine for the past 3 years. Presently she is a house manager at the St. Johns County Womens Refuge and an active member of Turning Point At Calvary Church. She has a love for community and people. She is currently working as office personnel at Craig Memorial Park.
Adam Fischer, Associate
Adam is the fourth generation of his family to be born and raised in St. Johns County. He is married to Janessa, and has four children. Adam graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1996, and completed his Bachelors in Business Administration in May 2009 from St. Leo University. After high school, Adam joined the United States Air Force, and upon completing his enlistment he enlisted in the Florida Air National Guard at the 125th Fighter Wing located in Jacksonville. He is currently in his final semester at Florida State College at Jacksonville finishing his A.S. in Mortuary Science. Adam is an Elder at Good News Church, and is very active as a small group shepherd