Shrewsbury family-run funeral directors celebrates 10th birthday
A Shrewsbury family-run firm of funeral directors has celebrated its 10th birthday in style, with a staff function, the appointment of a new Director, and the receipt of a prestigious local award.
Aubrey Kirkham Funeral Directors has been serving the Shropshire community for a decade and marked the special anniversary with a celebratory evening event for staff and partners, and with the presentation of a prestigious Gold Award from the Mayor of Shrewsbury.
“To reach such a marvellous milestone in this day and age is a great achievement and one which we couldn’t have hoped to have achieved had it not been for the dedication and hard work of our whole team” explained Aubrey. “And so it was only fitting that we celebrated with our staff and close associates.”
Twenty eight core employees and partners joined Aubrey and his wife Ann to mark the occasion, and the couple used the opportunity to announce the formal appointment of daughter Leanne as Director of the firm. “Leanne has studied tirelessly to achieve a formal Diploma in Funeral Directing under the guidance of a National Association of Funeral Directors appointed Tutor and she was recognised at a social ceremony in Windsor two years ago.”
“This makes her one of very few fully qualified lady funeral directors in our region, and she has thrown herself into the business with real passion and commitment” Aubrey explained. “Ann and I wanted to recognise this formally by appointing her to the board of the company, and with her at our side we very much look forward to the next ten years and beyond.”
Aubrey Kirkham Funeral Directors was established in 2002 to provide care and support to bereaved families throughout the county. Building on this mission over the last decade, Aubrey has invested heavily in staff training and development, has volunteered his time to support local events such as the Shrewsbury Flower Show, and has developed a whole range of free seminars and materials to assist grief counsellors and allied professionals, as well as families themselves.
His wholehearted commitment was once again publicly recognised at this year’s Mayor of Shrewsbury Awards with the firm presented the prestigious Gold Award. This is the third consecutive time that the firm has been singled out for praise by the Mayor, with a particular commendation for bringing initiatives such as living funerals – where those with terminal illnesses can choose to attend a celebration of their life alongside loved ones – and the launch of a free expression of wishes form to make planning a funeral easier for grieving families.
“I’m hugely proud of my parents for reaching this milestone” explained Leanne Garvey. “Not only have they grown an ethical business which is a strong local employer, but they provide support for Shropshire families at their time of greatest need. They take this service well above and beyond what could be demanded from a business though, and it’s this commitment which I was so pleased to see recognised by the Mayor of Shrewsbury.”
“I’m delighted to formally join them on the board of the company, and I very much look forward to working with them to continue helping families from across our region, and to making a positive difference to our community” she concluded.
