On March 19, 1949, a middle-aged couple, Christian and Lucinda Grayson, purchased the Young Funeral Home and Ambulance Service in Charlestown. They became one of three funeral homes in this small town.

Christian and Lucinda had confidence in their abilities and knew if they did their job correctly and with compassion, their new business would be successful. With any new business, there were long and hard hours of work. Mr. & Mrs. Grayson worked side by side, day and night offering funeral and ambulance service to their new community. They conducted eight funerals in their first year of business.

In 1952, their eldest son, James R. Grayson, was licensed as a funeral home director and embalmer. Upon returning from serving four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, he worked at another funeral home until is parents' business grew enough to support the two families.

In 1968, Christian and Lucinda purchased the Barnes Funeral Home in Hanover, and their second son, Ed Grayson began operating this funeral home. It was destroyed in the tornado of 1974, then rebuilt and sold in 1978 with the retirement of Ed Grayson.

The business continued to grow and in 1966 along with their son James, the Graysons decided to build a new funeral home in New Washington. Like the Charlestown location, they offered funeral and ambulance service.

In 1977, James and Elsa Grayson succeeded as owners of Grayson Funeral Home. Shortly thereafter, James Grayson's wife, Elsa, received her license as a funeral director and embalmer and she and Jim remain active in the business.

Success in the funeral business was fueled by the experience Christian and Lucinda attained in founding and operating the Jeffersonville Monument Company. This operation continued until 1949 when they moved to Charlestown and opened Grayson Funeral Home.

Years ago the family made the decision to broaden the base of their family business. In true family tradition, their sons: Chris, Jeff and Paul have taken over more responsibility in the operation of their family business.

Chris Grayson received his funeral director and embalmer's license in 1982 after graduating from Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. Today, Chris oversees the operations of the Charlestown, New Washington and Hanover Funeral Home locations. These funeral homes have been providing high quality service to the southern Indiana area for three generations.

In 1981, Jeff Grayson founded the Charlestown Monument Company. The company has since grown to the current staff of eight. Charlestown Monument Company currently services a large delivery area including Louisville cemeteries and offers a large variety of services and specialties. With the addition of talented artists and skilled craftsmen, more attention is now given to aesthetic designs and beautiful illustrations engraved in granite. Along with new technological advancements in computer and photo abrasive systems, much more complex designs and illustrations are now possible. Recently, Nicholas Grayson, son of Jeff Grayson has joined the the company and is now working with his father.

In 1969, Melton "Buddy" Grayson, Chris and Lucinda Grayson's youngest son, opened a burial vault company called Superior Vault Company. Buddy operated this business until his retirement in 1992 when Paul Grayson, Jim and Elsa Grayson's youngest son, began managing the vault company. Superior Vault Company now manufactures the Doric brand of burial vaults throughout southeastern Indiana and central Kentucky. Rod Reno, son-in-law of Ed and Nancy Grayson is currently co-managing the vault company and its day to day operations. Recently, Gabe Grayson, son of Paul Grayson has joined the company and is currently working with his father.

The Grayson family in 1992, decided to further expand the breath of their service to their community by creating Superior Crematory Incorporated. It has developed into the largest crematory in southeastern Indiana offering cremation service, urns and urn vaults to more than 75 funeral homes throughout Indiana and Kentucky.

In 2005, Paul Grayson and Michael Grayson received their funeral service licenses. By doing so Michael Grayson becomes the fourth generation of funeral directors in the Grayson family. 

In July of 2011, the Grayson Family expanded once again by purchasing the Hanover funeral home. After an extensive remodeling the funeral home was renamed Grayson Funeral Home. Jean Reno the daughter of Ed & Nancy Grayson and granddaughter of Christian and Lucinda Grayson is our on site representative. In July of 2017, the Grayson Family sold the Hanover funeral home.

In December of 2021 the Grayson Family sold the Superior Vault Company, Inc upon the retirement of Paul Grayson.  In May of 2022 the Grayson Family sold Charlestown Monument Company, and the two locations of Brummett Monument Company upon the retirement of Jeff Grayson.