The family behind a funeral business which has been helping people for more than 160 years say that working with Funeral Partners will allow them to continue doing what they love.
Gibson’s Funeral Services has been serving their community from as far back as 1860, when the business was founded by Joseph Gibson, who moved to Howden-le-Wear in County Durham offering joinery, carpentry, cabinet making and funeral services.
Since then, six generations of the family have served their community, with Matthew Gibson and his sister Victoria the latest of the family to do so.
Still operating from their original premises at Howden-le-Wear, plus a funeral home in Bishop Auckland and an office in nearby Shildon, the family decided now was the right time to seek an acquisition partner and chose Funeral Partners to secure the future of Gibson’s Funeral Services.
Matthew said: “Things like regulation, the pandemic, tax changes and various other factors have made it more and more difficult for people like us to run businesses independently.
“We felt Funeral Partners values and behaviours fitted with our way of operating the business and that they would support us to continue in our own style.”
Matthew and Victoria are both staying with the business and said their family’s hard work over the decades is what has made the Gibson’s Funeral Services what it is today.
“Our history is a point of pride – it was my father’s business, my grandfather’s business and we have always run it to the best of our abilities,” Matthew added.
“That history and reputation is why we have such a dedicated and loyal following.
“Even after all this time, we get great satisfaction in the service we provide for our clients.
“Frankly, that’s part of the reason why we decided to sell the business – so we could access the support Funeral Partners offers in terms of investment, marketing, administration, compliance, HR and more, so we can focus on what we love to do, and what we are best at – helping bereaved families at their time of need.”
Sam Kershaw, Funeral Partners CEO said: “Gibson’s Funeral Service has a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and we are deeply honoured they chose Funeral Partners as their acquisition partner.
“We are excited to work with Matthew, Victoria and their team and support them as they continue and grow their incredible legacy.
“Their dedication ensures that the Gibson family’s tradition of excellent service to the community will continue for generations to come.”
For more information about the business, visit https://www.gibsonsfs.co.uk/
If you are an independent Funeral Director and thinking about the future of your funeral home, please get in touch for an informal, confidential conversation via https://corporate.funeralpartners.co.uk/
