Two Funeral Partners businesses have opened new funeral homes in accessible locations to support more families at their time of need.
Wm Dodgson & Son Funeral Services opened its newest and largest funeral home in Oulton, Leeds, while Graham J Clegg Funeral Services has expanded in Merseyside to Maghull’s busy Central Square, Westway.
Martin Dodgson, former Lord Mayor of Leeds and Consultant at Wm Dodgson & Son, said: “We are delighted to be able to support more Oulton and Rothwell families and expand upon the help we can offer with our first ever masonry showroom, as well as two private chapels of rest, a quiet and dedicated space for bereaved families and a spacious reception area in our new funeral home.”
Graham Clegg, Business Principal at Graham J Clegg Funeral Services, added: “Within a day of our sign going up above the door in Westway we received greetings cards and drop-ins from old and new faces, which has been a real pleasure. We have a warm and approachable team that are always delighted to meet people.”
Now part of Funeral Partners, Wm Dodgson & Son was founded by William Dodgson in 1842, with his great, great-grandson Martin being the fifth generation of Dodgsons. Martin is still involved in the business and local community, and on occasions still conducts funerals today.
Over the years Wm Dodgson & Son opened additional funeral homes in Halton, Moortown, Middleton Park and Kippax. Now, the funeral directors is proud to have the Oulton funeral home as its newest branch, which will be managed by Funeral Director Toni Kerr and supported by Funeral Arranger Jackie Higgins, who has spent a number of years working at Wm Dodgson & Son in nearby Kippax.
Martin concluded: “This is a significant chapter in Wm Dodgson & Son’s history, and I look forward to greeting people at our new funeral home and being here when they need us.”
Graham J Clegg’s new premises in the Central Square retail centre has excellent roadside visibility as the brand expands its presence from Dover Road to Westway, situated in a convenient location with three car parks and a bus stop nearby.
The funeral home also has a newly decorated and furnished reception area, arrangement room and chapel of rest onsite. Recently, the funeral directors launched its own Facebook page to engage with the Maghull community virtually and keep up to date on local initiatives.
Graham added: “We’ve already had the honour of helping a number of families since setting up the new funeral home in Westway, which shows a clear need for our services and reaffirms our decision to open here.”
Sam Kershaw, CEO of Funeral Partners, said: “I’m proud to see the expansion of both of these highly respected brands. As well as honouring their family names, the new branches will give us the ability to serve more families in modern, spacious facilities.
“The expansion is testament to the superb service these funeral teams offer and shows the value brought through investment.”
Keep up to date with Wm Dodgson & Son’s community activities at www.wmdodgson.co.uk and on Facebook. You can also follow Graham J Clegg at www.cleggfunerals.co.uk and on Facebook.
