Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Ever since we opened our gates we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.
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 our own crematory and memorial park, 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 continue to update our facilities and services to provide our families the the highest poquality .
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.
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”.
Learn the legacy.
Craig Funeral Home
1475 Old Dixie Highway
St. Augustine, FL 32084 was established years ago, and serving families has always been our focus. We take pride in being able to guide people through some of their most difficult days. We take pride in maintaining a setting that allows people to find solace. Celebrating life is our mission. That’s never changed. And with pride, it never will.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible. Together, we make this place amazing.
Gus Craig
Owner- Funeral Director
Justin Craig
General Manager/ Funeral Director
Justin was born and raised in St. Augustine. He is a graduate of St. Joseph Academy and received his bachelor’s degree in business form Flagler College. He then went on to receive his A.S. degree in Mortuary Science from Florida State College. He is a member of the St. Augustine Rotary club and is active in St. Augustine Little League. He is a proud father of three children. In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, golf, surfing, gardening and spending time with family.
Rusty is a heritage native of St. Augustine. He graduated from St. Joseph Academy and Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service. He is a member of the Cathedral Basilica Parish, past president of the St. Augustine Sunrise Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow. Currently serving Rotary International District 6970 Assistant Governor. Rusty is the current president of the St. Joseph Academy Alumni Association as well as the Menorcan Cultural Society. He enjoys walking his Beagles through the Plaza early in the morning.
Taylor Sawyer was born in Lafayette, Indiana and was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. After graduating from Mortuary School in Indianapolis, Indiana, Taylor moved to Jacksonville, Florida. Taylor's first experiences with the mortuary industry came in 2008 and 2010 with the loss of her two best friends. The events influenced her to want to provide better experiences and memories to families going through loss. Taylor has a true passion for the mortuary field and helping people. She believes this is exactly where life was meant to take her.
Pam Smith
Pre-Arrangement Counselor
Pam moved to St. Augustine in 1973. She worked at Atlantic Bank (now Wells Fargo) she came to work for Craig Funeral Home in 1982 at the inception of the pre-arrangement program. She is married to James and her son and daughter in law Jay and Maria are both retired from the U.S. Air Force. She has four grandchildren. Pam attends Faith Community Church. In her spare time she enjoys reading and traveling.
Sharon Mullady
Pre-Arrangement Counselor
Sharon has been with us for 2 years now. She is a awesome addition to our staff. She brings to the table a lifetime of experience in the funeral industry.
Debbie O'Brien
Reception/Insurance coordinator/Special Projects
Debbie is from Long Island NY she has been in St. Augustine for 13 years and has worked for the Craig family ever since.She receives visitors in our office and processes insurance for families we serve. She produces many of the memorial DVD's shown at services and prints most of the register books and memorial cards. In August Debbie begins planning and executing our Holiday Remembrance Program held in December. Debbie is active in our community she prepares home cooked meals and serves the homeless in downtown St. Augustine with the Dining for Dignity group. Debbie has three grown children, and a corgi. She loves spending her free time strolling the beaches of St. Augustine.
C.J. Kidd
Craig Memorial Park Office Manager and Direct Disposer
Employed by the Craig family for 40 years. Office manager for Craig Memorial Park, Direct Disposer, Licensed Grief Counselor with a BA in Pastoral Counseling. A member of Turning Point at Calvary for 37 years. A St. Augustine native who loves spending time with her family and friends