West Midlands funeral director goes hi-tech to match national chains

An independent funeral director has boned-up on its IT skills in a bid to match the competition on offer from national chains.

Ashcroft Funerals in the West Midlands has joined with Birmingham-based Kimbley Computer Services to make its operations more efficient, ensuring services are on time.

Managing director of Ashcroft Funerals, Gary Sketchley-King, said: “Having an efficient operation in a business such as a funeral directors is vital, especially at such a sensitive time for clients.

“Kimbley Computer Services monitors our computer system constantly, tidying and correcting any issues to let our business run efficiently. Without it, problems could ruin the service for families.

“With this IT support, everything is on time, from emailing images of headstones for approval to funeral arrangements, cutting administration costs,” he added.

And James Kimbley, owner of the IT support service firm, said: “Our service looks after businesses ranging from independent small companies, whose survival depends on the special service they offer, to bigger companies that operate at a national level.

“People are surprised that such a traditional business as a funeral parlour is so switched-on to IT, but it gives them the edge they need.”