As we at Funeral Partners celebrate a significant milestone in our history, we would like to thank the family businesses that have entrusted us with their legacy, and all our clients and their families who have placed their trust in us to care for their loved ones.
Over the past 19 years, Funeral Partners’ story has been one of steady, thoughtful growth built through acquisitions, new branch openings and a clear commitment to supporting local families while preserving the homes’ heritage and identity within their communities.
From the first funeral home acquisition – Huntleys Funeral Services in Redditch, in 2007 – Funeral Partners has grown into a network of more than 300 branches across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. With more than 150 family brands supporting over 30,000 funerals each year – and over 10,000 years of combined heritage across our branches – this is a business that has married heritage with modernisation to create both reach and resilience, rooted in local communities.
This balance between growth and local identity is crucial. Each funeral home retains its name, history and connection to the community, while Funeral Partners supports these independent businesses in continuing to serve families for generations to come.
As our organisation has evolved, so too have its people. Experienced colleagues from funeral homes across the business have moved into support and leadership roles, while we have also recruited managers from other sectors such as retail, travel, healthcare, financial services and technology, strengthening our ability to innovate and adapt.
This blend of experience is reflected in our senior leadership team, which combines more than 60 years of funeral expertise with wider commercial knowledge to support the continued growth and development of the business.
Kevin Nicholls, Head of Finance, who joined the company in 2007, fondly remembers: “When I joined Funeral Partners, quite a few of us were trying to cover a range of roles. Our first Head Office was in a flat above Woking Funerals, Surrey and the meeting room was a lounge with a small round table. We’ve long since outgrown that tiny meeting room – and nobody knows what happened to that little round table – but while Funeral Partners has grown significantly, some things haven’t changed. The professionalism of colleagues and the original team spirit are still very much with us.”
Brett Benton joined Funeral Partners as a Funeral Service Operative when AN Abraham was acquired in 2010 and is now a Regional Support Manager in the North of England. He reflects: “It has been incredibly rewarding to witness the company’s growth. Personally, my experience with the company has been overwhelmingly positive. Shortly after joining, I was promoted to Funeral Director and have, over the years, progressed into management roles. Throughout my progression, I have always valued the opportunity to remain connected to the local business where I began my career, continuing to arrange and conduct funerals whenever the need arises. Even with significant growth, Funeral Partners has retained the close-knit, supportive culture that has been present from the beginning. It’s a company I am genuinely proud to be part of.”
Reflecting on Funeral Partners’ culture, Sam Kershaw, Chief Executive Officer, says: “I’m proud that despite our growth, we’ve maintained that family feel. This has always been our intention. Our aim is continued growth, but in a manageable way that protects our culture, core values and the service we provide to families. Investment in people, properties, fleet, governance, technology, marketing and innovation remains central to Funeral Partners’ strategy – continuing to evolve the customer experience while meeting expectations and responding to change around digital technology, transparency, flexibility, affordability and personalisation.”
The role of the funeral director continues to evolve as families increasingly seek guidance as well as practical support. Alongside arranging funerals, funeral professionals are helping families navigate difficult decisions with reassurance, clarity and compassion.
Over the past 19 years, we have built a strong foundation. Reaching 300 funeral homes is not simply a measure of growth – it reflects the trust placed in us by funeral homeowners, colleagues, and the families we serve. As we celebrate this milestone, we are looking ahead and planning further acquisitions.
As the profession continues to see disruption caused by the growth of Unattended Funerals and competition for online providers, now could be the time to consider the future of your business. The strength of a well-funded and resourced business like Funeral Partners can help you preserve your
legacy while continuing to support your community.
So, if you want to join us on our journey to 350 funeral homes please, we’d love to start a conversation.
