Growth continues as Funeral Partners invests in two established businesses

Two respected funeral businesses have joined the growing Funeral Partners family as it invests in funeral homes across the country.

Graham J Clegg Funeral Directors of Merseyside and Ashdown Funeral Service, of Sidcup and Belvedere, have become the ninth and tenth businesses to join Funeral Partners in 2018.

With 30 year old family business Howard’s Funeral Directors of Southport joining Funeral Partners earlier this year, the company has established a new Merseyside area and appointed an experienced area development manager, Nick Wiscombe.

Funeral Partners’ chief executive officer, Sam Kershaw, said: “Ten businesses have now joined us in 2018 as we deliver on our aim of growing Funeral Partners. We are delighted to welcome these respected businesses, which have developed enviable reputations for professionalism and excellence. We are committed to investing in and supporting these businesses while maintaining their heritage and traditions of service to their communities.”

Established by funeral director Graham Clegg in Maghull, Merseyside, in 1994, after he joined the profession in 1974 working with his grandfather, father and uncle. With his wife Christine, Clegg is remaining to support the business and the established team which consists of funeral director Andrew Roughley, funeral service operatives Robert Hardaker and Ian Buckley. They will also be joined by office staff Karen Slater and Pauline Davies, assisted by Stephen Davies and John Rutherford.

Clegg said: “I’m proud of the service we provide to the community. We chose Funeral Partners because we want more time to ourselves and they will protect our reputation and the way the business works and provide security to the team.”

Ashdown Funeral Service was formed in Sidcup in 1995 by Edward and Rachel Micallef, who opened a second funeral home in Belvedere in 1999.

With more than 50 years’ experience in the funeral profession between them, Edward and Rachel have built a strong reputation for personal service in their local communities. As Funeral Partners invests in developing the business, they will continue to work at Ashdown for 18 months, while starting to plan for retirement.

Funeral arranger Sue Culley also remains with the business, which becomes part of Funeral Partners’ expanding South East London area.

Rachel said: “We’re happy to be part of Funeral Partners as it’s important the business continues to look after families the way we have.”