Our Staff
West Coast Funerals, a South Australian family owned and operated business, was created in 1987 by Ralph and Jennifer Watkins. Our professional dedication to the people we serve remains the commitment of West Coast Funerals.
Situated amidst family-owned farming land at 1123 Flinders Highway, just 15 kilometres from the city of Port Lincoln.
Our facilities include our residence, chapel and lounge, crematorium, office, memorial areas and also an award winning garden.
Jennifer Watkins
Funeral Director
Jennifer has a special affinity for the West Coast and its people, having grown up on her family’s rural property where West Coast Funerals is situated.
In 2006 Jennifer commenced her studies with Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga,, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Class 1 in 2012, with her dissertation Beyond Cemeteries: Changing Trends in Australian Funerary Memorialisation from 1975 to 2010.
Jennifer was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 2020, for her thesis Rural Rites: Women’s Experience of Funerals and Remembrance on Lower Eyre Peninsula in the post-1960s era..
Linda Dreckow
Funeral Director
Linda Dreckow is our daughter and commenced her working life in nursing and aged care.
The attributes gained in those vocations have been invaluable in her role as a Funeral Director, where communication and empathy are amongst the many requisite skills.
In addition, Linda’s professional expertise has been enhanced by undertaking further studies. She has obtained qualifications in many facets of funeral directing, mortuary skills and bereavement care.
Linda and her husband Cameron – who is a farmer and also a Livestock Representative for Quality Livestock – live near us in our rural location.
Peter McNicol
Funeral Director
Peter McNicol is based in Streaky Bay and covers the West Coast district.
Peter has been associated with West Coast Funerals for many years. He has always maintained a strong
community interest in his local area, and his skills in communication and organisation are highly regarded.
Ralph Watkins
Funeral Director
Ralph was the founder of West Coast Funerals, commencing the business in October 1987, following a successful career in nursing education.
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Seeking to improve the service and facilities available to the people of Lower Eyre Peninsula, Ralph's research into funeral trends led to the creation of the business.
Later, In response to local needs, Ralph co-ordinated the establishment of an on-site crematorium in 1997..