Testimonials & Reviews
“For six decades in funeral service, I have had the honor and privilege of knowing the Joseph Gawler family, firm, its leaders and staff. The Gawler name symbolizes quality, dignity, and reverence for our fellow man, known and respected by all 22,000 funeral homes in America because of the Presidential funerals.
Their story and history do not stop there, because Gawlers is dedicated to serving every family who calls on them with the same care, with a presidential-level of service and dedication for all. They are not only a firm that cares for the dead in the District of Columbia, but more importantly, they care for the living, those left behind in their grief and loss. Gawlers plays a key role in beginning the healing process for countless families they serve, their primary mission always at the forefront of everything they do.
There is a reason the name Joseph Gawlers Sons is revered nationally, and that reason is on display every moment. One cannot possibly think of Joseph Gawlers Sons without thinking about history. They will always be connected to great historical names in funeral service like National, Marsellus and Belmont…and history will always remember them as being fundamentally associated with fine funeral service, standards, and expectations.
“The Gawler name symbolizes quality, dignity, and reverence for our fellow man”
I would like to thank Mr. Duane Hills for the opportunity to contribute to his historical documentation of the Gawlers story. Mr. Hills, as president of Joseph Gawlers Sons, is a lover of all things history and has carried the torch for the firm in a most dignified and professional manner. He sets a high standard for the directors in his organization and I am proud to call him a friend.
For six decades in funeral service, I have had the honor and privilege of knowing the Joseph Gawler family, firm, its leaders and staff. The Gawler name symbolizes quality, dignity, and reverence for our fellow man, known and respected by all 22,000 funeral homes in America because of the Presidential funerals.”
Bill Simpson
President of Mastercraft Casket Company
Owner of Simpson Funeral Museum
“Several years ago, while visiting Washington, my daughter, Gretchen, stopped by Joseph Gawler’s Sons. She hadn’t seen the building in many years and was curious to see the firm, built by relatives she had heard stories about all her life.
“The story of our family can now be passed from generation to generation.”
That day she met Duane Hills, President of Gawler’s. As they chatted, Gretchen was delighted to learn of Duane’s interest in the history of the funeral home, Joseph Gawler and the Gawler generations.
As a family, we were even more excited that he had already begun researching our history and working on a book titled, “One Block West of The White House.” Immediately, many surviving family members began collecting photographs and other documents that could be included in the book Duane was writing. I, for one, appreciate his diligence in writing this book because I am sure he spent many evenings, burning the midnight oil after a long day of helping families after the loss of a loved one.
I was pleased we could provide photos and documents to aid in his research, and now the proud history of Joseph Gawler’s Sons has been written, and the story of our family can now be passed from generation to generation.
It is gratifying to see this project completed during my lifetime and it has been my honor to work with Duane and to contribute to this unique and worthwhile effort.
William Gawler
June 2022