About us

  The Company was founded in 1910 by my Great grandfather, Mr John Godfrey, who was a coach builder in London and moved to this local area to start his own wheelwright/ carpentry firm. At that time it was the local carpenter’s job to make all of the coffins for those who had passed away in their own and nearby villages. This is how J Godfrey & Son Funeral Services began. My grandfather would make the coffin for a local family and help them in arranging the funeral service. However the choice that is available to us today was not available back then. He maintained his high standard of carpentry and professionalism for over 40 years and shared his knowledge and skills until 1953 when he peacefully passed away.

  It was at this time my grandfather, Mr John Russell Godfrey (better known as Russell) took over the company and began to see the industry grow in many ways. In my grandfather's day, choice was very limited and he did not have too much involvement in the arrangements. However my grandfather (Russell) saw the industry change in that they were no longer known as the local carpenters but as the local funeral directors. He became more involved in booking the services and taking the stress away from the families. However, he still didn’t have the variety of options and personalisation of a funeral service that is available to us today. He sadly passed away in June 1993. 

  My great grandfather and grandfather had passed their experience and skills on to my father (George) and he took over the Funeral Services business in 1977 (although he worked for a number of years alongside his father [Russell] before hand). He considers it a great honour to be able to tell people he is the third generation of J Godfrey & Son, that his grandfather (John) is the ‘J’ and his father (Russell) is the ‘son’ in our company’s name. George has gained 40 plus years’ experience himself within the funeral profession. In that time he has gained a considerable amount of knowledge about the profession, which he is able to share with our team, thus widening their knowledge of the profession as well as using his knowledge to help others. He is also very proud that we are still using some of the same suppliers which his father (Russell) worked with when he was alive. George is still working in the firm, supporting his daughter, Faye.

  I am Faye Godfrey, George’s daughter, and I joined the firm, in November 2011 at the age of 23, making us one of the only local independent family run funeral services spanning four generations in the local area. I am proud to say I am one of the only funeral directors in our area to have completed my National Association of Funeral Directors diploma, in funeral Arranging and Administration and my diploma in Funeral Directing. Alongside these diplomas I have learnt (and am still learning) an enormous amount about the profession. I always say I have the best of both worlds- the qualifications and the experience and knowledge from my family before me. Before joining my family firm, I worked and qualified as a florist which enables me to discuss floral tributes with clients in depth, ensuring they get the design, style and colours they desire. 

Since joining the firm, I have now married and have two lovely Children. I am very lucky to have such a supportive family, especially my husband who supports me greatly. 

Both me and my father (George) often wonder what our ancestors would think of the funeral profession and our/their firm today. To be serving the community for so many years and at such a high standard would be beyond their imagination.