
Our History
We trace our roots to the early 1890’s when D.W. Newcomer, a sash and door maker, was called upon to construct a coffin for a close friend. This brief encounter led Mr. Newcomer to enter funeral service by opening D.W. Newcomer’s Undertaking and Livery Service in Kansas City, Missouri in 1893. Followed by his son, David Newcomer, and grandson, Warren Newcomer, the Newcomer family continued to expand the business in the Kansas City area.
Ren Newcomer, a fourth-generation funeral director, graduated from the University of Kansas in 1975 and began work as a funeral director in Topeka, Kansas. In 1978 Ren established Newcomer Funeral Service Group when he purchased Penwell-Gabel and Parker-Price Funeral Homes in Topeka. These funeral homes became the foundation for growth in the decades to follow.
Today, Newcomer remains an independent, family-owned company with over 40 funeral homes and cemeteries in 10 states. We are supported by principals passed down from previous generations – uncompromising personal service and a price that is fair. These principals have guided our expansion and plans for future growth.

Leadership Team

Ren Newcomer
Founder and Chairman of the Board

John Newcomer
President

Perry Hasselbeck
Executive Vice President,
Chief Operations Officer

Cressa Chalmers
Senior Vice President
Operations

Robert Stanley
Vice President
Chief Information Officer

Chet Stone
Vice President
Chief Financial Officer

Gregg Burden
Director of Compliance and Risk Management

Brent Hockins
Director of Facilities and Construction Management

Tyler Cummins
Director of
Human Resources

Jeremy Lamb
Director of Marketing

Roy Montgomery
Director of Sales
core values

Throughout its history, our company has always been characterized by the pursuit of Excellence in everything we do, a relationship of Trust with the families we serve, Care for our associates and our communities, and the ongoing pursuit of Growth both as individuals and as a company.
These four values serve as points on a compass, guiding our daily actions and decisions, helping us to always do the right thing.
locations

Topeka, KS
Junction City, KS
Casper, WY
Denver, CO
Olathe, KS
Miami/Franklin Co, KS
St. Louis, MO
Orlando, FL
Green Bay, WI
Rochester, NY
Syracuse, NY
Albany, NY
Toledo, OH
Akron, OH
Cincinnati, OH
Columbus, OH
Dayton, OH
Indianapolis, IN
New Albany, IN
Louisville, KY
Erlanger, KY
Massillon, OH

Summer Preplanning Workshops
This summer, we are hosting workshops across the country to help families plan ahead. In a no-pressure workshop environment, families and individuals learn about the…
Welcoming New Funeral Directors for Training
Last month we had the opportunity to welcome a number of our newer funeral directors from across our company to our Home Office in Topeka,…
Recognition for Newcomer Pre-Need Sales Associates
Newcomer’s long-time partner, National Guardian Life, recently announced that 18 preplanning associates from across our organization have qualified for the 2022 Producer Circle. The Circle…