It was after the death of Jean Cottet, owner of a funeral service and mineral water distribution business until 1966, that Antoine Rithner decided to enter the field. He contacted Mr. Gilbert Pagliotti, a veteran of the profession and owner of a funeral parlour in Martigny, to learn about this new line of business. Antoine was already running a flower business.

This 55-year association was a success in every way, combining funeral services with the supply of wreath flowers, wreaths and plants for ceremonies. When Gilbert passed away in 2017, and even long before, it was with his sons Eric and Olivier, their children Boris and Fabrice, and the invaluable collaborators that the adventure continued.

In 2021 (at the age of 81), Antoine and his associates founded Pompes Funèbres Rithner SA to perpetuate this wonderful partnership.