Co-op funeral home undergoes extensive refurbishment
The Co-operative Funeralcare has opened its newly refurbished funeral home in Lower Holyhead Road, Coventry.
Some 20 guests attended the ceremony at the funeral home, one of 13 in Coventry, Warwickshire, south Leicestershire and Northamptonshire owned and operated by the Heart of England Co-operative Society.
The ceremony followed a complete refurbishment of the interior of the home. The interior comprises two new arrangement rooms, three new chapels of rest, and an improved chapel waiting area.
Ali Kurji, chief executive of the Heart of England Co-operative Society, president Clive Miles, directors and staff joined the guests who included Alison Crake, president of the National Association of Funeral Directors, and Cllr John Blundell, the deputy lord mayor of Coventry.
The dedication ceremony was led by Acting Archdeacon Pastor Clive Hogger, of St Anne’s Church in Coventry; Area Dean Reverend Stephen Burch of St James’ Church in Coventry; Reverend Roger Woodward, Baptist Minister; and Alan Penny, Civil Celebrant.
Darryl Smith, general manager of the Society’s Funeral Division, said the extensive refurbishment reflected the ongoing commitment to client families past, present and future in Coventry.
He said: “At the Heart of England Co-operative Society we are dedicated to helping our client families through a difficult time by providing them with the very best levels of care, support, service and facilities possible.
“This is why we have invested heavily in these premises here in order that we can continue serving our client families locally, in their hour of need, from premises that are better suited to their needs.”
He added: “We have been based at Lower Holyhead Road for many years serving generation after generation of local Coventry families, but the time was right for us to invest in modernising and improving the facilities for the benefit of our client families.
“Initial responses from everyone who has been inside the newly refurbished premises is that the improvement is noticeable, and the air of calm that has been achieved by using a modern colour pallet aligned with stylish new furniture and special lighting which combines to make the funeral home look and feel very peaceful.”