Funeral directors to acquire in the UK

Name: Funeral directors to acquire in the UK
Creator: Firmbase
License: https://firmbase.co/terms

Updated 9 November 2026

Looking to acquire a funeral director in the UK? Firmbase ranks 729 funeral directors using public company information to help buyers prioritise firms for research and potential outreach. The Approach Score ranks firms using public signals including director age and tenure, ownership, business scale, financial strength and recent changes. These firms are not listed for sale, and the ranking does not indicate that an owner is considering a sale.

The median firm has 10 staff and has been in business for 17 years; 11 firms are owned by groups that have acquired several firms in this sector.

Arranging a funeral can involve a funeral director's own services alongside payments to a crematorium or burial authority and other people providing funeral services. A buyer acquiring a funeral business should distinguish work carried out by its staff from arrangements made with those other providers. This list also includes crematoria and other funeral-related businesses, so establish whether each firm arranges ceremonies, operates facilities or combines those roles.

Understand the work behind a funeral business

Firmbase covers 729 UK limited-company and LLP funeral-related businesses with five or more staff. The list lets you compare location and company ownership before asking about operating arrangements. Use the ranking to build a regional view around the services you can deliver and the premises you can operate.

Ownership records can reveal local independent providers. Among the funeral firms here, 26% have one person holding 75% or more. The median funeral business has operated for 17 years. A company's records do not say whether its owner would consider a change of ownership. They help decide which businesses deserve closer research and a sensitive conversation.

Ask how arrangements move from the first meeting with a family to the ceremony and the final account. Check whether premises and vehicles can support the volume and locations of work in your regional plan. Confirm that record keeping and staff cover can sustain the standards your group expects at every location. Local reputation matters, but it requires direct diligence rather than a public company score.

Treat this page as a sourcing tool, not a list of businesses for sale. The Competition and Markets Authority's funerals order sets legal duties for funeral directors, and Scotland also has a Funeral Sector Register and a Funeral Director Code of Practice. Check the premises, records, insurance and family communication arrangements relevant to the location. A buyer should plan for continuity and dignity before assuming any operational change.

729

Firms

43%

Every director 55+

26%

Held 75%+ by one person

Median years in business

Median headcount

£500k to £1m

Median turnover band

includes our estimates

11 firms owned by 3 groups that have bought several firms in this sector. That is 2% of this list. Groups that own firms on this list include Funeral Partners. To have a group's name removed, email dave@firmbase.co.

Key facts

Scotland's Funeral Sector Register includes funeral directors and operators of burial and cremation facilities. mygov.scot

The Scottish Funeral Director Code of Practice applies to funeral directors carrying out that work in Scotland. Scottish Government

The Competition and Markets Authority's funerals order introduces legal obligations on funeral directors and crematorium operators. Competition and Markets Authority

The first 25 firms, in Approach Score order

Rank	Firm	Approach Score	The facts behind the score
1	Strathmore Funeral Directors Forfar, Angus	Approach Score 90/100	2 directors aged 70 or over · longest in post since 2000 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £1.1m Net assets £1.7m (Jul 2025) Company no. SC204660 · Companies House strathmore-fd.co.uk
2	R. N. Chicken Cumbria	Approach Score 90/100	In post since 2002 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £371k Net assets £392k (Aug 2025) Company no. 04494528 · Companies House
3	Jardine Funeral Home Ltd. Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway A director sits on 4 or more companies	Approach Score 89/100	In post since 2011 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 16 staff · turnover est. £3.9m Net assets £3.5m (Dec 2025) Director resigned Jan 2025 Company no. SC413589 · Companies House jardinefuneralhome.com
4	West Berkshire Funeral Directors Newbury, Berkshire	Approach Score 89/100	Director aged 65-69 · in post since 2009 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 14 staff · turnover £827k Net assets £81k (Nov 2025) Charge satisfied Jul 2025 Company no. 07070048 · Companies House wbfd.co.uk
5	Williamson Brothers Hanley, Stoke on Trent	Approach Score 89/100	Longest in post since 1990 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 20 staff · turnover est. £6m Net assets £8.6m (Sep 2025) Director resigned Oct 2025 Company no. 02529344 · Companies House williamsonbrothersfunerals.co.uk
6	South Downs Funeral Services Waterlooville, Hampshire	Approach Score 89/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 2011 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 9 staff · turnover est. £587k Net assets £522k (Mar 2025) Director resigned Feb 2026 · PSC register changed Feb 2026 Company no. 07800147 · Companies House southdownsfuneralservice.com
7	Allerton Memorials Reading, Berkshire	Approach Score 89/100	In post since 2007 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £568k Net assets £270k (May 2025) Company no. 06072341 · Companies House allertonmemorials.co.uk
8	Malcomsons Funeral Service Craigavon, CO. Armagh	Approach Score 88/100	1 director aged 70 or over, 1 aged 45-49 · longest in post since 1991 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 16 staff · turnover est. £941k Net assets £1.4m (Apr 2026) Director resigned Aug 2025 Company no. NI025313 · Companies House malcomsons.co.uk
9	Irene Jessop Funeral Service Stockton on Tees	Approach Score 87/100	In post since 2017 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 9 staff · turnover est. £713k Net assets £518k (Dec 2025) Director resigned Apr 2026 Company no. 11123549 · Companies House irenejessopfunerals.co.uk
10	Lesley Barlow & Family Clacton-on-SEA, Essex	Approach Score 86/100	In post since 2003 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 10 staff · turnover est. £829k Net assets £1.2m (Mar 2026) Company no. 04713455 · Companies House lesleybarlowandfamily.co.uk
11	Alan Jones Funeral Directors Wigan	Approach Score 86/100	In post since 2012 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 30 staff · turnover est. £2.5m Net assets £2.2m (Jun 2025) Charge satisfied Feb 2025 · PSC register changed Mar 2026 Company no. 08079116 · Companies House alanjonesfuneraldirectors.com
12	H C Townsend & SON	Approach Score 86/100	Longest in post since 2005 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 11 staff · turnover est. £976k Net assets £607k (Sep 2025) Company no. 05566959 · Companies House hctownsend.co.uk
13	Vaughan Bros Funeral Directors Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent	Approach Score 86/100	1 director aged 65-69, 1 aged 50-54 · longest in post since 2000 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £589k Net assets £1.1m (Mar 2025) Company no. 03946033 · Companies House
14	Alasdair Morrison & Partners Isle of North Uist	Approach Score 85/100	In post since 2008 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £686k Net assets £463k (Dec 2025) Company no. SC352333 · Companies House amorrison.co.uk
15	Ugalde & SON Liskeard, Cornwall	Approach Score 84/100	Longest in post since 2007 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 11 staff · turnover est. £794k Net assets £965k (Mar 2026) PSC register changed Jun 2026 Company no. 06270617 · Companies House ugaldeandson.co.uk
16	Joseph Geldart & Sons Leeds	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 2012 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £851k Net assets £735k (Mar 2025) Company no. 08014713 · Companies House josephgeldart.co.uk
17	E Bush Funeral Directors Tyne & Wear, Tyne and Wear	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 2002 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £788k Net assets £350k (Jul 2025) Company no. 04466452 · Companies House bush-funeraldirectors.co.uk
18	S. & J. Maddocks Andover, Hants	Approach Score 84/100	Longest in post since 2007 Independent More about this firm 23 staff · turnover est. £1.7m Net assets £1.3m (Dec 2025) Director resigned Sep 2026 Company no. 06226489 · Companies House sjmaddocks.co.uk
19	James Sherry (funeral Directors) Motherwell	Approach Score 84/100	Longest in post since 2009 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 8 staff · turnover est. £1.3m Net assets £1.1m (Dec 2025) Director resigned Apr 2025 Company no. SC367301 · Companies House jamessherryltd.co.uk
20	Button & Family Funeral Services Sheerness, Kent	Approach Score 83/100	Longest in post since 2021 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £458k Net assets £172k (Apr 2026) Director resigned Mar 2026 · PSC register changed Mar 2026 Company no. 13312532 · Companies House buttonfuneralservices.co.uk
21	WS Taylor Funeral Directors Newcastle Upon Tyne	Approach Score 83/100	Longest in post since 2009 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £408k Net assets £344k (Mar 2025) PSC register changed May 2025 Company no. 06853520 · Companies House foresthallfuneraldirectors.co.uk
22	C M Allott & SON Hornsea, East Yorkshire	Approach Score 83/100	We hold older figures than Companies House In post since 2010 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £878k Net assets £871k · newer accounts made up to Jul 2025 Director resigned Jul 2025 · PSC register changed Jul 2025 Company no. 07309968 · Companies House cmallottandson.co.uk
23	T Pennack and Sons Chelmsford, Essex	Approach Score 82/100	Longest in post since 2015 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 14 staff · turnover est. £4.6m Net assets £5.6m (Sep 2025) Company no. 09435178 · Companies House tpennackandsons.com
24	Woodford Family Funeral Service Guildford	Approach Score 82/100	Longest in post since 2016 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £305k Net assets £157k (Apr 2025) Company no. 10136077 · Companies House
25	W.C. Matthews & Son Limited Helston, Penzance	Approach Score 82/100	Longest in post since 2010 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover £570k Net assets £775k (Dec 2025) Company no. 07380758 · Companies House funeraldirectorspenzance.co.uk

704 more firms are in the list, in Approach Score order.

You're seeing the first 25. Buy all 729 for £799 + VAT, with the facts behind each score, director names, shareholders and financials.

Buy the list of all 729 firms, with director names, ages and shareholders

Each row comes with the facts behind its score, financials with dates and contact details.

What's in the file

One row per firm, in Approach Score order, as Excel + CSV.

The score and the firm

Approach Score

The facts behind the score

Points for each part of the score

Financials with dates

Website

Publicly available contact details, where identified

Directors and shareholders

Director names

Director birth month and year

Director appointment dates

Named shareholders with more than 25%, with ownership bands

Some people with significant control appear as Other individual, with no further detail. Director email lookups are not included.

Frequently asked questions

How can I approach a funeral director owner?

Identify yourself with care at the first contact and explain your experience of funeral services. Say that you found their details on the public Companies House register through Firmbase. Provide a simple way to object to your use of those details and stop if they do. Check the Telephone Preference Service and the Corporate Telephone Preference Service before calling. Keep the approach private and avoid references to any family arrangements.

What is Scotland's funeral sector register?

The Scottish Government's Funeral Sector Register holds information about funeral directors, burial authorities and cremation authorities in Scotland. The Scottish Government also says its Funeral Director Code of Practice applies to funeral directors carrying out that work there. Check the role and location of the business you are reviewing. A claimed trade membership is separate from the Scottish regime and should be verified with the body concerned.

mygov.scot · Scottish Government

How should the funeral Approach Score be interpreted?

The methodology page explains the public company signals used in Firmbase's Approach Score. It can help you decide which businesses to research in a region. It cannot measure the care given to families, the condition of facilities or an owner's plans. Review service records, premises and staff practices separately before deciding whether a conversation is appropriate.

How can families be kept informed during ownership change?

Agree with the existing provider who will contact families with arrangements in progress, and when. Keep the person responsible for each ceremony clear and preserve promised services and prices unless the family agrees otherwise. Protect private records and allow space for questions. Communication should follow families' needs and the timing of their arrangements, rather than an internal transaction schedule.

How this list is filtered

Active on Companies House. Companies in liquidation, administration, receivership or a voluntary arrangement, or with a proposal to strike off, are left out.
Dormant companies are left out.
Firms whose owners asked to be removed are left out.
Private limited companies, public limited companies, LLPs and private unlimited companies only. Sole traders and partnerships are not covered.
SIC code 96030.
5 or more staff, from filed headcount or our estimate where none is filed.
Registered office in the UK.

How this list is built

The Approach Score ranks firms mainly on public Companies House information about owner tenure and age, ownership, size, financial strength and recent register changes.

Firms with higher scores appear first in each list.

Use the ranking to order research, then check each business directly.

Read how the Approach Score works

What it does not mean

No firm here is for sale, and the score says nothing about any owner's plans.

At least 95% of the firms where we hold directors had them checked in or after November 2026.

What we do not cover

We cover limited companies, LLPs and private unlimited companies. Sole traders and ordinary partnerships are not on Companies House, so they are not here. Regulatory information is not included in this list. Buyers should check the relevant register as part of their due diligence. Check the Scottish Government's Funeral Sector Register in Scotland. England, Wales and Northern Ireland have no equivalent bespoke funeral director regime; check voluntary trade memberships separately.

Why age bands but no people's names

Age bands come from the month and year of birth on Companies House. This page shows no exact ages and no people's names. Both come with the purchased list. The band edges from 45 to 65 are the ages where the score changes. A row shows no age bands when a director's surname is in the firm's name, its group's name or its website. Those directors' ages still count towards the score.

Is this your firm?

You can ask us to take it off every acquisition page, and out of every list we sell after that. Give us your name and work email, and we send you a link to confirm. If your email address is on the firm's own website domain, the firm comes off once you confirm. If it is not, a person reviews your request first. A list already sold stays with its buyer.

To have personal data erased, see our privacy policy.

Other areas

East Midlands East of England London North East North West Northern Ireland Scotland South East South West Wales West Midlands Yorkshire and The Humber

Buy the list of all 729 firms, with director names, ages and shareholders

Each row comes with the facts behind its score, financials with dates and contact details.