O K, we admit it, we're a little nostalgic. We are honored to memorialize those who have been recipients of our services. We are also honored to carry Brand-Wilson Funeral Home into its 70th year of existence, still housed in the same elegant building as when it was established.

When Murray Wilson, Sr. bought the funeral home from Amos Brand in 1963, Brand Mortuary had been operating since 1932. The building originally was an early landmark of Hastings, having been the home of Judge and Mrs. John M. Ragan. As Mr. Brand wrote in 1952, "...you are impressed with (the funeral home's) ideal location in the quiet residential section of the city, with its evergreen plantings and circular driveway which affords the loading and unloading of the funeral party in private ... As one enters the Mortuary he feels the homey atmosphere that prevails." These qualities still prevail today.

Murray, Sr. decided to install state of the art equipment and udpate the outside of the funeral home, while still retaining the decor and dignity of the original structure. Murray, Jr. and Bob Wilson recall their boyhood years living above the mortuary, inspiring Murray, Jr. at a young age to become a funeral director and join his father in the family business.

In those days dialing 2-5169 (the same phone number as we have now) would get you either funeral OR ambulance services, as funeral directors were on call for both!

Bob left his teaching career to become a funeral director in 1990, joining his father, brother, and funeral director Henry Opbroek. Murray Wilson, Sr. passed away later that year. A beautiful new chapel and private family meeting room, designed by Henry, were added on to the funeral home in 1995.

Still a showpiece of the city with its dignified charm, Brand-Wilson Funeral Home remains a model for high quality merchandise and service.

In 2013 Brand-Wilson Funeral Home was purchased by Apfel Funeral Home of Grand Island, NE.