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History & Staff

Our Story

Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.

We have over 60 years of experience caring for families in the Eustis, Umatilla, Mount Dora, Tavares, Sorrento and Zellwood area, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.  Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

Why Us?

In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.

Why Us?

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.

Learn the legacy.

Clarence E. Harden and Albert Layton co-founded the Layton-Harden Funeral Home of Eustis in 1958. Their goal was to provide the residents with excellence in funeral services. The first service ever conducted was on August 17, 1958 for Oscar William Henn, a prominent longtime Resident of Eustis. When Layton-Harden Funeral Home opened, they also ran a 24-hour ambulance service, serving the Central Florida area. This was a common practice that Funeral Homes fulfilled. Clarence, his wife Dorothy, and daughter Kathy lived at the Funeral Home, so they could attend to the needs of all families around the clock.

In the Mid-1960’s, State Road 19 also known as Bay Street was widened from 2 lanes to 4 lanes. When the state zoned which property was to be used for the expansion, it was decided that the east side would be used for all right of ways and expansion. This in essence cut the Funeral Home chapel by about 1/3 and left no front lawn.


In 1966 Clarence purchased the interest in the Funeral Home from Al Layton and renamed it to Clarence E. Harden Funeral Home. It was changed a few years later to Harden Funeral Home. In 1971 the Funeral Home had it’s largest and most extensive remodeling to date. A 4-car Garage, new entrance, Lobby and 2nd floor living quarters were added. In 1981, a new garage was then built onto the backend of the Funeral Home because the 4-car Garage has been slowly remodeled for offices and to make room for a new casket display room to help meet the ongoing needs of a growing business.

Mr. Harden introduced to Lake County residents: Itemized pricing of services years before it was required by the U. S. Federal Trade Commission, crematable caskets, and prepaid funeral services funded by Life Insurance. Harden/Pauli Funeral Home is a charter stockholder of Funeral Services, Inc. pre-need trust company, a member by invitation of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, a charter member of the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida.

Who We Are

Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.

Clarence Harden

Clarence Harden

Co-Founder, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer (1929-2014)
Dorothy Ann Harden

Dorothy Ann Harden

Co-Founder (1934-2022)
Lance Pauli

Lance Pauli

Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Betty Pauli

Betty Pauli

Funeral Assistant
Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor

Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Steven Roundtree

Steven Roundtree

Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
Bobby Crossman

Bobby Crossman

Funeral Director
Shawn Haag

Shawn Haag

Pre-Need Counselor
Shanon Burke

Shanon Burke

Administrative Assistant
Rev. Darrell Reynolds

Rev. Darrell Reynolds

Funeral Assistant
Garry Hirsch

Garry Hirsch

Funeral Assistant
Bailey Hubbard

Bailey Hubbard

Funeral Assistant
Sebastian Jones

Sebastian Jones

Funeral Assistant
Landon English

Landon English

Funeral Assistant
Bob Moulden

Bob Moulden

Funeral Assistant
Luverne Monroe Turner

Luverne Monroe Turner

Funeral Assistant
Gail Roundtree

Gail Roundtree

Hairdresser
Teda Smith

Teda Smith

Organist

Explore Our Location

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