Funeral director moves into expansion mode

Scotland’ s largest independent funeral director has made a double acquisition in Northumberland and revealed a new launch in Fife, bringing the company’ s total branch coverage to 30- plus in Scotland and north-east England.

William Pur ves said yesterday that it had acquired Gary S taker Funeral Directors, Monkseaton, and Affordable Funerals, Shiremoor, both in Northumberland, in recent weeks.

The group has also announced its first Fife- based branch, branded William Purves, in St Andrews.

Tim Purv es, group chairman and fifth generation of the family business, said: “We are excited at the prospect of providing families in North Tyneside and Nor th Fife the highest quality service at their time of need.

“In addition, our experience in arranging funerals means we are more than equipped to help families trigger an awkward conversation about future planning.”