Greenville area funeral services announce merger

Gray Mortuary of Pelzer is merging with Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes.

The owners of both businesses say the merger ensures family ownership and the benefits that come with a locally owned business. McAfee Funeral Homes already has three locations in Greenville and Simpsonville.

Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes will acquire Gray Mortuary, according to a news release. Terms were not disclosed.

The two businesses had a longstanding relationship, according to the release, of “mutual respect and cooperation, supporting each other in their mission to provide comfort and support during difficult times.”

“The funeral profession has been in a period of consolidation since the 1990s,” Jay McAfee, CEO of Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, said in the release. “Much of the acquisition has been by large funeral corporations with hundreds of locations nationally and internationally. However, some firms choose to remain independently owned and operated. We were honored when the Gray family approached us about this opportunity and take the responsibility very seriously to continue to serve this community to the standard set by the Grays.”

The current staff members at Gray Mortuary will remain with the firm, ensuring continuity and the same level of care that the community has come to expect, he said. All pre-arrangements made prior to the merger will continue to be honored as well.

“My father, Tuck McAfee, had great respect for Mrs. Mary Lou Gray and appreciated their professional relationship as the two firms served their respective communities,” Tommy McAfee, president of Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, said in the release. “He always felt the two firms shared common values, sensitivity to families’ needs and respect for their loved ones. Now after almost 100 years, the two firms have become one.”

Lance Gray, president of Gray Mortuary, said it was easy to decide which company to entrust with the Gray Mortuary legacy.

“As we began to develop a plan of succession for our business, we knew that we wanted our legacy to be carried on by another family who would continue to provide the same standard of service as we have throughout the years,” Gray said in the release. “The obvious choice for us was Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, as they have provided multi-generational service to Greenville families in a compassionate and professional manner for 111 years.”