Tobin Brothers Funerals
Our Story
1993
1993
1995
On 21st February 1995, Tobin Brothers Funerals opened its ‘Legacy of Life’ Chapel in Sunshine in the old fire station building on Hampshire Road, strengthening the family’s long term links with the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The Tobin Brothers, Leo and Phonse, who started the business were actually members of the fire brigade while they ‘moonlighted’ making coffins so this was a significant turn of events. The old brass fire hat of Leo Tobin sits in the Tobin Brothers Museum today.
(On 15th January 2026, Tobin Brothers closed the Sunshine Branch location, concluding 30 years of operation at this site).
1995
1998
Tobin Brothers Funerals proudly supports many community groups and events to strengthen community ties and be consistently active in their networks.
In October 1998, Tobin Brothers Funerals, in partnership with Greening Australia, Parks Victoria and Melbourne Water, launched a new memorial program called Tribute Trees. Twice yearly, at the Upper Yarra Reservoir Park in Autumn and Spring, bereaved families were invited to attend a memorial service and to plant indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses in memory of their loved ones.
When the program concluded after thirteen years in October 2011, close to 15,000 people had planted more than 35,000 Tribute Trees in an area of 2.75 hectares and in so doing had made an important contribution to the environment.
1998
1999
In 1999 and again in 2004, in recognition of its commitment to family business best practice, Tobin Brothers Funeral Directors received FBA’s Family Business of the Year Award (Third Generation Category).
Tobin Brothers Funerals is later inducted into the ‘Family Business Australia Victoria Hall of Fame’ in 2013.
1999
2000
The establishment of a dedicated 24 hour phone line, the Funeral Advice Line (FAL) in 2000.
“The Funeral Advice Line plays an integral role in the day to day operations of Tobin Brothers Funerals. The FAL is essentially the “front line” when client families call us and often the first thing they will say is “we have never done this before”. It is our role to guide the family through the process and provide them with the care and support they are looking for.
By the end of the phone call, which can last anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes, it is our hope that we have provided the caller with the peace of mind of knowing that they have made the right choice by engaging Tobin Brothers Funerals. We often handle over 600 calls a day and it takes a degree of level headed thinking, composure and genuine empathy for our client families and colleagues. Grief can bring out many different emotions in people and our staff must have the ability to understand this”. – Mandy Wallis, former Funeral Communications Centre Manager.
2000
2001
In 1986 we established our Ringwood Chapel on the back of the property at 331 Maroondah Highway. The purpose built Funeral Centre served the local community through to early 2001.
Construction of the current ‘Tobin Brothers Funerals Seasons of Life Chapel’ commenced in early 2001 at the top of the same block of land, and the building was officially opened on 20 September 2001 by members of the local community who provide essential care and support services in the local area.
2001
2003
The establishment of the external training arm, Funeral Industry Development Australia (FIDA) in 2003.
The training and education program, devised by David Treloar, administered by Allen Anderson and Geoff Rowcroft, ultimately led to the establishment in 2003 of the external training arm, Funeral Industry Development Australia (FIDA).
Managing Director James MacLeod says that with the increasing expectations of client families, the complexity of funerals and a stronger emphasis on industry regulation, the training and professional development of funeral staff has never been more important.
“In the eyes of our clients, our staff are our business, so investing in the development of staff is investing in the future of the business” – James MacLeod
2003
2006
The formation of the Memories and Tributes division at Tobin Brothers Funerals.
Memories & Tributes, as a stand-alone department within the company, came into being in January 2006 with the aim of bringing video and print production in-house. Up to that time, the production of print materials had been limited to a small number of templates printed by external providers. Now, with greater control over time frames, Tobin Brothers Funerals became able to offer a more complete service to client families.
What sets the Memories & Tributes graphic designers apart from others who work in this field is that they understand that no two people grieve in exactly the same way. They are highly experienced in assisting families who are often going through the process of arranging a funeral for the first time and may be finding it hard to make decisions.
Personalisation options such as liturgy booklets, order of service booklets, thank you cards, remembrance and santini cards, audio visual presentations, framed photographs and portraits of life banners provide special moments of reflection within the funeral ceremony. Afterwards, they also provide family and friends with an appropriate keepsake that celebrates a life.
2006
2006
Tobin Brothers Funerals established in Echuca after acquiring James Ferris funerals and crematorium. Tobin Brothers opened the doors to the newly renovated Murray Valley Cremations in Moama in November 2006.
Of paramount importance to Tobin Brothers Funerals has always been their need to create points of difference between themselves and their competitors and by doing so, create a better experience for client families. One of the differences of which they are especially proud is that they are in a position to care for a deceased person from the moment a family engages their services up until the actual cremation of their loved one.
Managing Director James MacLeod says that “families feel comforted in the knowledge that their loved ones will remain at all times in our care and custody.”
“Tobin Brothers Funerals makes a personal commitment to the client family to be there to oversee everything from beginning to end, not only before and at the funeral but also afterwards.”
2006
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