Two hundred funeral homes and growing across UK
Funeral Partners has established a new Northern Ireland region as its most significant acquisition for four years brings its total number of funeral homes across the UK to more than 200.
Eighteen respected funeral homes in Northern Ireland became part of the Funeral Partners network in late 2019, as it expanded beyond the UK mainland for the first time.
In December, two established family businesses in Berkshire and Merseyside also chose to join Funeral Partners, which now maintains the heritage of more than 100 different family businesses.
Miles and Daughters, established 20 years ago by experienced Funeral Director Adam Miles, operates six funeral homes in Reading, Wokingham. Twyford, Bracknell, Crowthorne and Maidenhead.
Frank Dooley & Son, established in 1910, has been run by three generations of the Dooley family and operates four funeral homes in St Helens, Haydock and Widnes.
Chief Executive Officer Sam Kershaw said: “I am proud that these businesses with such excellent reputations for high standards, caring for the bereaved and supporting the local community have chosen to join us.
“Families can be assured they will continue to deliver the same efficiency, professionalism and personal care to their communities.”
Funeral Partners becomes the leading funeral provider in Northern Ireland, with a number of century-old family businesses becoming part of its network. These include James Brown & Sons, the name synonymous with arranging family funerals in Belfast since 1904, which now expands to South Belfast and Dunmurry.
Third generation Funeral Director James Brown MBE, whose grandfather founded James Brown & Sons, remains with the business, while fourth generation Funeral Director Jon Baird remains with Bairds of Antrim, which was established by his great grandfather in 1870.
Across the country, Funeral Partners now has more than 50 funeral homes in Greater London, 23 in Birmingham, 12 in Manchester and more than 50 funeral homes across Kent, Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire.
In the last two years, it has also established a new Merseyside region and grown its presence in Scotland, North-east England and Yorkshire.
In Merseyside, three generations of the Dooley family have built up Frank Dooley & Son’s enviable reputation for high quality service, and Kieron Dooley and his sisters Karen and Fiona will remain with the business, helping it to grow as part of Funeral Partners.
In Berkshire, Miles & Daughters Funeral Directors has chosen Funeral Partners to continue Adam Miles’ legacy, after he sadly died in 2018.
Adam was raised in Wokingham, with his family’s businesses serving the town for three generations. He worked in the funeral profession for more than 30 years.
Sarah White, who had previously worked in support and caring roles including in a further education college, continues to manage the business. Sarah has achieved qualifications with the National Association of Funeral Directors and is a member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors.
