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About Us |
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Thankyou for your interest in Bristol South Funeral Services established June 2006. Read on and learn some of the history and profile information of our dedicated team members.
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 Liz Davis
I have many qualifications to my name where preparation of the deceased are concerned. Before entering into the Funeral business I was a member of the World Federation of Supreme Hairdressers which enables me to combine my past knowledge of hair and beauty with my current embalming practice and expertise, resulting in preparing everyone in my care in a lovely peaceful, memorable way.
My home is in Minehead Somerset and this is where I reside at the weekends, I share it with my daughter Phoebe, my mother Sheila, my partner Luke and our little dog 'Poppit'.
I started training as an Embalmer in 2000 and became a member of the B.I.E in 2002. Previously I ran my own Hairdressing Salon in Minehead Somerset.
I won the George Wood Cup for my Embalming skills in 2002 and later married my embalming tutor John who ran the Midland School of Embalming in June 2004. We worked together teaching in Nottingham, Walsall, Bristol & Glasgow. John was diagnosed with cancer in April 2005 and suddenly died in the June of that year; he was a wonderful man, a brilliant tutor, a loving father and a very special husband.
John had always talked about having his own funeral company and the changes he would like to make within the Industry if given the chance. For example caring for the deceased in a truly professional, caring and dignified manner, also being able to take care of the family on a one to one basis, thus being able to meet the family and look after them through the arrangement and conduct the funeral personally.
We would often discuss how lovely it would be to deal with families and the deceased in this way so when an unexpected opportunity came along in June 2006 Bristol South Funeral Services was opened and dedicated to the memory of my husband John Davis. 1952 - 2005
My embalming takes me all over the Somerset and Avon area as I also work for many other funeral directors in Bristol, Portishead, Taunton, Weston - Super - Mare and Yeovil looking after their deceased for them. I truly love my work and wish I could look after everyone. I always work with the family in mind and I find great comfort in the fact that I am helping them deal with their grief by making their Chapel visit a comforting and reassuring experience.
 Luke Hebden
Luke joined Bristol South Funeral Services at the beginning of October 2010.
Although Luke has only been with us for a short time, he has over 11 years' experience in the funeral business, completing one week's work experience in a local funeral home at the age of 13. Luke left school at the age of 15 after his GCSE's and started straight away in another funeral directors premises, doing 3 months voluntary work to give him a better insight into the profession.
Eventually, after the 3 month contract changed to 6, Luke landed a full time position with a large well known company based in Bath, which lasted over 6 years. After taking a year out, Luke decided to work for a local carriage master in Bristol on a casual basis, helping out many different funeral directors in the Bristol area.
He eventually went on to work for a very well respected and established company in Portishead and, within a few months was offered a full time position. It was from there that he made the decision to leave after former director Rachel's departure in September 2010 and work alongside his partner Liz at Bristol South Funeral Services
Luke says "I knew from a very early age that the funeral profession was all I wanted to do, I'm not sure what has compelled me to choose this career path, nobody in my family was in the funeral business, but I would never change my vocation. It was almost a 'calling' in a sense and I have always told people that you are either in this line of work for 5 minutes, or the rest of your working life!"
"I have had experience in every aspect of the business and love being able to have the opportunity to help bereaved families, the fact that I am now working for a small company means you really get to know the people you are dealing with, you really do meet some great people from all walks of life."
"I also spent several years working purely behind the scenes, priding myself also on my strict attention to detail. I was taught many of my skills by an ex colleague who I shall always look up to and respect."
We are very pleased to have Luke as a member of our team, his experience is invaluable to us and we are confident that he will continue to be a great asset to our company.
 Katie Gorman
Katie started with Bristol South Funeral Services in the summer of 2008. Previously that year our company had taken care of Kate's family after her grandfather had passed away. This was Kate's first experience with bereavement within her family and was very impressed with the way every aspect was dealt with. Kate then contacted us to see if there was any chance she could help us voluntarily to see if this was a career she wanted to follow, and on reflection she says she wouldn't change a thing.
Many of Kate's friends thought that it was a strange occupation for someone so young, as she was only 19 years old when she joined our team but I always said to Kate "one day it will be you they are contacting for advice when a member of their family has passed away" and since then this has happened on many occasions.
Katie says "I am very passionate about my role within the company and ensure that every family I help has the continuity they need, from the first point of contact, through until after the funeral. We still have visits from families we cared for many years ago, who like to pop in for a coffee and a chat. We always have time to lend an ear and I know this helps the grieving process for some families."
"I also take great pride in providing families with the funeral that suits them, right down to the last detail. We always aim to go that extra mile for our clients, ensuring them that every aspect is taken care of and the celebration of life to follow is a personal and memorable day for everyone."
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