Fourth-generation Riverland funeral director Steve Kleemann looks back on an unexpected career

As a young man, Steve Kleemann thought he had escaped the family business , only to find himself officiating at a riverside South Australian grave as a grieving dog unleashed howl after mournful howl for its newly departed human companion.

But an accident in the mid-90s that "should have killed me in two different ways" led Mr Kleemann home as a 33-year-old and he joined the family trade. In 2003, when his father Brian "finally decided to retire at 72", Mr Kleemann took sole control, operating as SA Kleemann Funeral Chapel for two decades.

"I stood at the foot of the grave with my notes trying to do my service and I couldn't see the grave from where I was standing because the dust was that thick," he says.Former Australian Funeral Director's Association president Adrian Barrett says family-run funeral businesses have survived and thrived by passing the baton to the next generation.

"I'm sort of implementing the same strategy with my three boys, so I've got a fair chance of one in three." "I've had enough experience with Riverland Funerals that I knew they operated on the same principles as I do."In the end, the decision to retire early came easily, with Mr Kleemann keen to spend more time with his wife, Bev.

Source: News Formal (newsformal.com)

Funerals Regional Community Fourth Generation Owner SA Kleemann Funeral Chapel

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Turmeric farmers find success growing in Riverland's dry climate with minimal irrigationAbout 80 per cent of the crop is grown in India, but Australian farmers have now invested in its growth as its popularity rises due to its health benefits and culinary uses.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

South Australia's Riverland region bursting back to life after floodsIt's been just over a year since South Australia's River Murray burst its banks in the biggest flood since 1956. For months flooding from high rainfall interstate put thousands of hectares of agricultural land under water and inundated 3500 houses.
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »

Steve Gollschewski named as Queensland’s new police commissionerThe police veteran of 44 years has been appointed to the top job after a two-month search to fill the early departure of his predecessor, Katarina Carroll.
Source: brisbanetimes - 🏆 13. / 67 Read more »

Trump jury selection nears close on fourth day of trialFive alternates remain to be chosen before jury selection wraps up and the presiding judge has suggested opening statement could begin as early as Monday
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Sydney property developer Steve Nassif pleads guilty over blaze that destroyed historic $24m Northwood houseThe heritage-protected Northwood home went up in flames in September 2022, with 50 firefighters working for more than an hour to extinguish it.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Scottie Scheffler matches Tiger Woods with fourth win in last five tournamentsWorld No 1 has won four of his last five starts, ripping off a run that includes 40 consecutive rounds at par or better
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »