The business, established in 1842, has three locations in Robertson County: White House, at 533 Highway 76; Springfield at 509 Walnut; and Greenbrier, at 2619 Highway 41 South. Each location is designed and managed according to the needs of the community it serves. Bell takes pride in the level of community involvement his business achieves with active memberships in every club, the Chamber of Commerce and Hospice along with a steadfast participation in the various benefits and charity events that arise.

That commitment to community joins with a knowledgeable staff and a family atmosphere to make Austin & Bell one of the most successful funeral businesses in the region. Many of the funeral directors, embalmers and other employees have been in the funeral business for decades, some as long as half a century. “Even with twenty some years experience, I’m still the junior here,” Bell quipped.

Experience provides families with impeccable service and a strong attention to detail. “It’s the little things you do that make the biggest difference,” explained Bell, who purchased the company after a fourteen-year run as a corporately managed funeral business. Seeing first hand the difference between a bottom-line driven corporation and a compassion driven family operation, Bell was determined to return Austin & Bell to its roots.

Austin & Bell began as Henry & Bell, a furniture company that began making coffins out of necessity in Turnersville, Tennessee. Before long, the business had turned into a separate company and moved to Springfield upon the arrival of the railroad. From there, it expanded to multiple locations and for years offered ambulance service as well as funeral services.

While ambulances no longer make their runs from the funeral homes, the art of a modern funeral has developed its own set of demands and complexities. One of the largest trends currently is toward personalization through video and photographs. Bell especially enjoys using pictures and video clips that showcase someone’s life and character. “Seeing the fun in someone’s life allows that life to be carried forward,” Bell noted.

Austin & Bell is a full service funeral home offering traditional and specialty funerals, pre-arrangement services, cremation and monument sales. For more information about Austin & Bell Funeral Homes, Inc. call 672-5000 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or visit them online at www.austinandbell.com.