Kevin Henderson, of J G Henderson & Son Ltd, is retiring from his position of funeral director after being at the helm of the business for 55 years.
His wife, Pam, who ran the administration and ``backed him up'', will also retire.
``It's the end of an era,'' Mr Henderson said.
The decision to close the business was not an easy one.
``It's a bit of a hard one to swallow.''
However, due to his age Mr Henderson could not see himself continuing the business for much longer.
Established in 1892, the business was run by Mr Henderson's father and grandfather before him.
He started in the job when he was 16 and embarked on a 10,000-hour apprenticeship.
``That covered all aspects of funeral directing. I had to learn to design and make caskets, how to maintain vehicles like the hearse, polish the caskets, set out and dig graves and direct funerals from start to finish.''
The business was also one of the few in South Otago that still produced its own caskets.
It had also been contracted by other funeral services in Otago to manufacture caskets.
No two funerals were the same, and it was never an easy job to farewell people, Mr Henderson said.
He estimated he would have directed ``quite a few thousand'' funerals.
``The most funerals I did by myself was 172 in one year.''
Now, Mr Henderson hoped to spend his retirement enjoying life.
``I've seen too many people work right until the end and have no enjoyment in life at all.''
He will also help his son, Aaron, continue to operate his log cartage business.
