A NEW business specialising in headstones and memorials has begun operations at an old location.
Leigh Davis and his partner Mary Farnsworth started Sunraysia Memorials in the same building where his parents ran a stone masonry business before retiring in 2020.
“We’re experienced but new,” Mr Davis said.
“I grew up while the business was running from mum and dad’s house and I’d open the door for the clients.
“That grew into doing what I could until I was full-time, on and off, for about 15 years.”
Following a change in personal circumstance, Mr Davis said the couple discussed running a memorial service together.
“The timing seemed right and it just ticked off all of the boxes for us,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to be born into it, but Mary in her nature is really good with people, she can already do the majority of what we do here just by being an empathetic person.
“It’s just felt like putting on an old pair of boots.”
Ms Farnsworth said it all felt quite new to her but things had worked out well.
“Everyone’s welcomed and supported us,” she said.
“It has been a lot of hard work building behind the scenes over the last few months but it feels right.”
Mr Davis and Ms Farnsworth said their were aiming for a personal touch, with services including various markers of all sizes, from plaques under trees to large vault monuments.
“There’s so much ‘rest in peace’ in cemeteries,” Mr Davis said.
“We prefer something a bit more personal than that.
“The monument will essentially be there for a lifetime.
“We can do things above and beyond the cemetery now.”
