Roller Funeral Homes

Family-Owned Business Spans Three Generations

Three generations of the Roller family are now involved in the operation of Roller Funeral Homes, a family-owned business founded in 1941.

The company owns 26 funeral homes in 23 Arkansas cities and one in Memphis. In addition, Roller is affiliated with Citizens Fidelity Insurance Co., one of the largest home-owned insurance firms in the state. It markets the leading pre-paid funeral plan in the state, Assured Peace Funeral Plan.

Christine Roller, who helped found the company with her husband, Denver, continues as chairman of the board. Her daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and her husband also serve as executives of the company. “It’s a wonderful profession. I don’t know of any other career where you get to live out your care and compassion every day with those who are grieving. For us, it is more than a business: It’s a calling.”

Bill Booker, president of the company, credits the success of the company to the self-discipline of the Rollers and their willingness to reinvest in the business instead of taking money out.

“The people we have working for us,” Booker says, “are truly dedicated professionals. They believe they are called into the profession to help and provide a service to friends and relatives. They believe they’re adding value to people’s lives.”

The secret of the company’s success, Booker says, is adhering daily to its business philosophy: “To serve as we would be served.”

Booker says 1999 was the busiest year ever at Roller Funeral Homes. The company added six more funeral homes last year. “The timing was just right,” Booker says.

The company, with sales of more than $15 million last year, has recorded an average annual growth rate of 9 percent for the past six years.

He expects more opportunities for acquisitions as second- and third-generation funeral home owners decide to sell their businesses, Booker says.