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August 2009 - We have finally signed the lease on our new premises which we have been looking at for a number of years. Directly opposite Beckenham Crematorium and Elmers End Cemetery this branch will service Beckenham, Penge, Croydon and further afield. It will open with a memorial showroom in a couple of weeks followed with a Chapel of Rest and Funeral arranging rooms. Our Rolls Royce Fleet will be based at this new branch which will eventually become our Head office.
Steven Mears Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons
171 Elmers End Road. Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4SZ
0800 731 4972
June 2009 - Our Cheshire Branch has started to receive Funeral Requests. Wih our newly furnished Chapel of Rest at his branch we are now able to offer 'viewing' at all our branches.
May 2009 - Wednesday 15th April 2009 saw a new addition in our ongoing commitment to client care when three members of our Staff underwent a vigorous training and subsequent examination in the Care of the Deceased program.
After an intense one day course we are pleased to report that all three members of staff passed the examination and we proudly display the certificates awarded to –
Mr Dennis Heffernon - staff member since June 2008 having spent in excess of thirty years as a paramedic for the London Ambulance Service and his experience has been a valuable asset to Steven Mears Funeral Directors.
Mr Tommy Surridge staff member since 2007 (on a casual basis) the youngest member of our team yet always keen to be involved in the day to day requirements of all aspects of the Funeral Service.
These awards will only we feel contribute to the high level of care we strive to achieve as a professional organisation and our commitment to an ongoing in house staff training exercise and we congratulate these individuals on their achievement.
April 2009 - Our Cheshire branch has now been completed with the decoration of our new Chapel or Rest and arranging office. This brach is now able to provide a full Funeral Service. We are now awaiting a final inspection from The National Association of Funeral Directors.
March 2009 - Our Silver Cloud Hearse has been returned to us after a complete respray. This Hearse is now hired by local Funeral Directors almost every week.
December 2009 - We have closed our Coydon branch to allow for the expansion into our new branch in the same area - details to follow (See August 2009!)
November 2008 - Something a little different - our Memorial 'Ebay' shop opens. Clients can now buy through this website and even make a cheeky offer via 'Best offer'
October 2008 - Our new Chapel or Rest is finished and the first service is due to take place this weekend. Pictures to follow shortly.
September 2008 - Our Lewisham Branch is to get a new Chapel of Rest and increased floor space devoted to memorial, coffin and casket display. Work is well on its way.
August 2008 - Inspection of our Wokingham branch by the National Association of Funeral Directors to see if the premises conforms to the Code's standards
August 2008 - Delivery of our new full colour memorial brochure. With over 40 pages of memorial in all shapes and colours this is truly one of the best memorial brochures available. Memorial range in price from £100 up to £9,000! Something for all budgets.
July 2008 - Signs on the windows of our Cheshire Branch, Desks and showroom stock installed - First sale on first official day of opening!! Well done to all who helped open this branch in record time.
June 2008 - We have received the keys to our Cheshire Branch and are moving in! Mostly a Memorial Showroom, run by Chris Jackson, but also able to offer a very simple Direct Funeral Service to local crematoriums and Cemeteries
September 2007 - As we have continued to grow and develop so has our diverse fleet of Vehicles that we are able to offer our clients.
Soon to be added is a Toyota Hiace Purpose built Ambulance equipped with all the latest lifting systems thus making
the practice of handling and maneuvering deceased's a lot safer for all those involved in this procedure.
August 2007 - Development of the Nationwide Memorials Franchise has started. Any individual or company wishing to be considered for this should contact our head office.
August 2006 - After a very frustrating wait of over nine months our fixers have finally been able to take their BRAMM fixing licence exams. Both team leaders passed and we are a fully accredited company. This would of been achieved much faster apart from the inept organisation of the examinations. The organisers seeming to forget that there are companies in the south of England! We have been assured that they are trying to address this situation.
March 2006 - The Memorial Centre & Steven Mears Memorial Centre have been 'Business Approved' by the British Registrar of Accredited Memorial Masons. We support this lead by The National Association of Memorial Masons to regulate Memorial Fixing in the UK. The next step is for our individual Fixing Masons to gain their 'Fixing Licence'. Companies and individuals can be searched on the B.R.A.M.M web site to see if they are registered.
January 2006 - Due to the Success of our Rolls Royce Limousine we have taken delivery of our Second Limousine. This now represents an investment of over £150,000 in our Rolls Royce fleet which is unique to London and The South East of England.
December 2005 - Sponsorship deal with www.uk-funerals.co.uk completed. This Two year deal with an option to extend is seen as pivotal to our campaign to reach and help as many Families as possible.
August 2005 - Completion of the purchase of Aarons Garden - this being the florist opposite to our Sydenham branch. Interflora branded florist with own web site www.getflowers.co.uk
April 2005 -Investment of £156,000 in new Funeral Vehicles :-
Mercedes Hearse RX05 FTA (soon to be TIL 5796) based on the Mercedes E class series built by Binz came into service with us 19th April 2005
Mercedes Limousine RX05 FTE based on the Mercedes E class series built by Binz came into service with us 19th April 2005
March 2005 - Opening of our new Memorial Showroom in Croydon at Surrey Funeral Directors.
December 2004 - Completion of takeover of Surrey Funeral Directors. This Owner Run Company will allow us to better serve the community of Croydon and the surrounding areas.
October 2003 - Our Rolls Royce Silver Sprit
limousine has been delivered back to us and we are using it on our funerals.
Our fleet of Rolls Royce cars is unique to London.
September 2003 - Appointment of Lisa McDermot as
Funeral Arranger
August 2003 - Introduction of the new
coffin cover
July 2003 - Appointment of Chris Jackson -
Working from our Sydenham Head Office, he is responsible for all computerised
inscription layouts, memorial quotations and orders tracking.
June 2003 - Our Rolls Royce Hearse is now ready
to work - Click here for a
picture
May 2003 - We have purchased a Silver Sprit
Rolls Royce and sent is to be stretched into a six seater, six door limousine.
This will be ready to use in October.
April 2003 - 1957 Rolls Royce Hearse purchased.
This should be ready to use by July.
March 2003 - On time and only slightly over budget
!
Our new Bellingham branch is opened.
January 2003 - Appointment of Mrs Julie Bygrave
as Funeral Arranger at our Bellingham branch which is due to open in
March.
December 2002 - Builders move into what will be
our Belling Branch
March 2002 - New fleet and chauffeurs to drive them
Two additional limousines and also two new members of staff to drive
them.
August 2001 - New General Manager
Mr Steve
Ryan has been appointed as General Funeral Manager.
July 2001
Mrs Dianne Gillard, Funeral
arranger at our Lewisham branch, has just passed the foundation exam for the
Diploma in Funeral Directing - well done Dianne
New Shop
Our new Funeral Head Office is now
open at 371 Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6NZ. |
