Doves Group was established in 1883 as a funeral directing organisation in Durban initially named Doves Funeral Services. Doves Group emerged in 1959 when Homes Trust Funeral Services, through a series of acquisitions, acquired industry respected funeral directing companies such as Goodall & Williams, Doves, Doves & Adlam Reid and Jones & Rice. During the 70s, Saffas South African Federation of Funeral Assurance Societies also became part of Homes Trust Funeral Services Doves Group was the founding member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and is currently the member of South African Funeral Practitioners Association (SAFPA) and the Funeral Federation of South Africa (FFSA). Doves Group has influenced the present day structure of the funeral industry