Pictured above: (l-r) Aubrey Kirkham, Lady Mayoress Kath
Owen, Ann Kirkham and Leanne Garvey at the Mayor of Shrewsbury's
Awards
A family-run firm of local funeral directors was awarded one of
the town's highest accolades at the recent Mayor of Shrewsbury's
Awards, after being presented with the prestigious Gold Award.
Shrewsbury-based Aubrey Kirkham Funeral Directors was one of
just a handful of businesses in and around the town to be
recognised, and were singled out for their superb care for bereaved
families in the area, and for the way that the team consistently
goes above and beyond to ensure loved ones are supported with tact,
sympathy and compassion.
"We were utterly thrilled to be recognised in this way"
explained Aubrey Kirkham, Founder and Director of the company. "We
care passionately about our business and do everything in our power
to help and assist families in the area who have suffered a loss.
We see this as a genuine part of our role, so to be nominated was a
delight and to actually win the Gold Award was a humbling
experience."
Founded at the turn of the century, Aubrey Kirkham Funeral
Directors saw the culmination of Aubrey's 30-year vision to run a
respectful and esteemed funeral service. The family-run firm has
introduced a number of innovative initiatives, including providing
access to a number of dedicated DVDs from internationally-renowned
Canadian grief counsellor Dr Bill Webster, to help bereaved
families cope with the difficult festive period. They have also
introduced Living Funerals for the terminally ill and those who
wish to share a celebration of life with their friends and loved
ones.
Aubrey's nomination was supported by Dr Webster, who told the
judging panel: "To give real service you must add something which
cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and
integrity. Aubrey Kirkham serves his community well, but he goes
beyond the expected. By providing aftercare and support to his
community and client families, long after the funeral is over and
the bills are paid, he shows that he cares and that he is there for
people long after the job is done. That is why I am so pleased to
be associated with him."
The company adheres to strict practices to preserve the dignity
and respect of clients, and recently supported Aubrey's daughter
Leanne Garvey to achieve full certification to become one of
Shropshire's very few qualified Lady Funeral Directors and Trained
Embalmers, allowing female staff to deal with female clients if
wished.
A recent expansion of the Chapel of Rest to also act as a
Ceremony Room, and ongoing investment in the upkeep of a fleet of
vintage funeral cars including a Daimler and Rolls Royce are other
actions which were commended in the award entry.
And the business has become even more of a family affair, with
Aubrey's wife Ann joining the team. With a passion learnt from her
father, Percy Thrower, combined with her own skill and vision,
Ann's Funeral Flowers 4 You by Ann Thrower business provides
beautiful floral tributes for bereaved families.