Kenyon’s first civilian disaster response occurred on November 7, 1929 when an Imperial Airways Junkers monoplane crashed in England. From that point on, “Kenyons” were called upon to respond to many aviation disasters including the booming airship business throughout Europe. Initial support was limited to providing traditional funeral services, funerals and repatriation.

Kenyon gradually acquired the reputation for managing all mortuary operations including identification and return of personal belongings, and was often called upon at short notice to deploy to non-aviation incidents to provide the same services. To meet this growing demand, Kenyon created “Kenyon Emergency Services” in 1975, with a major incidents team headed by Sir Harold Kenyon’s grandson, Christopher Kenyon.

In 1996, Kenyon Emergency Services was acquired by an American public company, Service Corporation International and renamed “Kenyon International Emergency Services.” Headquarters were relocated to Houston, TX, home of Service Corporation International.

Since then, new offices and services were added to meet the growing demand from aviation, private business and governments. Available services expanded to include direct support to families: counseling, telephone inquiry centers and crisis communications.

In 2007, Kenyon International Emergency Services was privately acquired, returning to its roots of focusing on its core business of caring for people, businesses and governments impacted by crisis. Today it remains the only firm of its type offering comprehensive resources and experience for every type of aviation disaster, natural disaster, war or terror.