About Us
"I like the fact that you can help a family with a situation they’re not normally in. You can make the experience easier"
—Walter Hapgood
About Roller Hapgood &Tinney
Quality Service & Compassionate Understanding
Established in 1899, Roller Hapgood & Tinney is one of the oldest family owned and operated funeral homes on the Peninsula. We are the proud recipients of a State of California Senate Certificate of Recognition,
and though a lot has changed over the years, one thing has not; our commitment to you, to the community, and to the families we serve.
Family Owned & Operated for Four Generations
The family business was established in 1899 when Josiah Roller organized his first funeral. As a retired cabinet maker who was often called upon to craft coffins, (he) agreed to organize a funeral for a friend whose father had died in
Palo Alto.
In those days, bodies had to be transported by horse and buggy either to San Francisco or San Jose for burial. Josiah agreed to make the arrangements in exchange for help in establishing a funeral home in Palo Alto, something he thought was long overdue. As the only funeral home this side of San Francisco, Roller’s business quickly grew.
In 1906, Josiah Roller’s son, Arthur, took over the burgeoning business, and in 1912 Frank Hapgood joined as a partner. In 1951, they moved the business to its current location at the corner of Addison and Middlefield streets.
Source: Palo Alto Weekly, November 6, 1991, by Melinda Sacks
Good Employees are Essential to a Successful Business
In keeping with the belief of our founders, our staff of professionalsis knowledgeable, caring and sincere; qualities that are invaluable during your time of need. Palo Alto is a community rich in religious and cultural diversity, and our staff is well trained in the traditions and faiths that surround us.
Member Associations & Affiliations
