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 and Williams, Doves, Doves and Adlam Reid and Jones and Rice. During the 70s, Saffas (South African Federation of Funeral Assurance Societies) also became part of Homes Trust Funeral Services