About Us
The Miller family can trace its history in the town back over two hundred years, working as carpenters, ferrymen, nurserymen, painters, gardeners and funeral directors.
Alfred George Miller, the grandson of a Palace miller set up business as a builder in Purewell in 1910. Four years later, on the advice of Mr Frampton of Frampton’s brewery in the high street, he relocated to Barrack Road, buying the former Cross Keys public house with his two brothers, William and Clifford.This is where the name Miller Brothers originates.
At that time most of Miller Brothers work was building and decorating with the occasional funeral – historically you went to the carpenter for your coffin because he had the skills to make it.
Post-war, funerals were still sporadic, with Alf or Roy making the coffin and Alf carrying out the funeral with bearers hired for the day.
In 1958 Alf bought 119 Bargates and spent a year converting it into business premises. At this time there was still more building work than funerals, but that trend began to reverse and in 1974 the building work stopped all together and Miller Brothers became funeral specialists.
Miller Brothers have had a variety of vehicles over the years, from the first black Model T Ford, Daimler, Humber, Volvo and Ford to today’s fleet of hearse and cars.
Alf Miller died in 1974 and his grandson Terry joined the business.
Miller Bros. has been established in the town of Christchurch for one hundred years, an accolade few businesses manage to achieve. The town has seen many changes over that time and Miller Bros. have changed with it, remaining a true family business serving the local community with dignity and respect.
