Our History

Thank you for dropping by and visiting with us.  As you browse through our site, we hope it will assist you in getting to know us a little better. It will help you see the various services we are able to offer you. It all started back in 1919 when George & Mary Grunnagle opened the Funeral Home on the corner of 3rd & San Benito Streets.

In 1943 the funeral home was damaged due to a fire next door.  George & Mary looked for property to rebuild and provide better services to the residents of San Benito County.  During the war years the basic structure of the new funeral home was built at the current location.  The picture taken in 1945, was the beginning structure of this traditional landmark.

In the 1960's Grunnagle's  enjoyed  the very unique privilege of becoming a local landmark in the City of Hollister. The Funeral Home began to outgrow the facility & a new office wing was added in the mid 1960's.  The picture shows the added office space on the left of the original structure. If you remember the old sign and palm trees on the boulevard in front, you are one of the true pioneers of Hollister! 

In 1970 Marchel & Madeline Nelson and Tom & Barbara Ament made George & Mary an offer to purchase the Funeral Home.  An offer was accepted and after 51 years, ownership was transferred & the Funeral Home changed its name to Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home.  As the funeral home matured an additional building was added on to the north end of the property in 1985.  The building was added with a flower shop in mind. Precious Petals Floral Shop has occupied the space for some time and is serving the community. Though the funeral home does not own the flower shop it added one more dimension for easily accessible service. The last addition was added in 1997 when the crematory became part of the most complete and fully defined funeral Home in San Benito County.  This required one more name charge, the funeral home is now called: Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory.