Call 01233 421852
OWNER
Carl was a trained and experienced motor vehicle engineer advancing his skills further working on aircraft for 15 years and in these years of experience he proved his hard working nature and keen eye for quality and exactness maintaining high levels of expectation of himself and others.
Carl begun his work in the Funeral Industry working in the crematorium at Barham, Canterbury and Charing, Ashford taking his Cremator Technician exams to further his skills. Carl was then head-hunted by Earl & Co Funeral Directors in Ashford, Kent and after training as a Funeral Director soon became the Manager of the local firm.
Carl believes in the value of an independent funeral directors and when this local firm changed hands to a corporate company Carl moved onto the family firm ‘Dilnot Smith & Son’ in Deal, Kent where he gained more experience taking a funeral through from the very beginnings of the planning stages to the completion of arrangement and direction.
Carl thrives on ensuring a level of professionalism and excellence in his work and thoroughly enjoys being the supportive and directive figure as your Funeral Director.
OWNER
Joanna has worked as a music teacher for around 20 years, teaching classroom music in secondary schools as well as violin and kinder music at different points during her life as a mother of two; Samuel and Daisy.
Joanna was committed to caring for children and sharing her passion as a musician and now uses this care and passion to serve families in our funeral business. Joanna also worked administratively in the banking and investments sector for a few years when Samuel was younger and this has given her the experience in finance and administration to support the company.
She likes to be challenged and has always taken on roles that allow for growth as well as support to others. Joanna studied music at a high level from a very young age and this dedication has led to a very focused and determined personality that aims for the highest of standards and again this is seen in her commitment to our families.
OUR STAFF
Catherine Hadaway
"Catherine works in our office, as an administrator. Catherine has a breadth of experience to help guide and support our clients, having worked previously as a police woman prior to having her own children (which included Carl!). Catherine met Barry; they lived previously in the Ashford area, at which point Catherine worked for Crouch’s Garage delivering parts before her final role of her career as a physiotherapy aid at Buckland Hospital in Dover. Catherine is a very caring person and will do everything she can to help and assist our families and support our family firm.
Away from work, Catherine loves a fine wine, cooking, baking and gardening and she also commits to her local church and walking her dog."
OUR STAFF
Andrew Davison
"Andy has been with us since the very beginning and has been instrumental in our growth. He has been in the funeral sector for 22 years. Andy is also a repatriation specialist and carries out our UK repatriations personally. He has a wealth of knowledge that is rare in the funeral sector this day and age. Outside of work, Andy enjoys nature and long walks in the countryside."
DRIVER
Oliver Linington
" Oliver is a key member of our bearing/driving team demonstrating his observation and leadership skills; a keen eye for detail being a very desirable attribute in what we do. Oliver consistently strives for the highest standards in everything he does and in turn, we do as a company. His caring 'family-man' nature is always apparent when looking after our clients. "
DRIVER
Barry Hadaway
"Barry has also been with us since the very beginning, never shying away from picking up a paintbrush or getting stuck in and we most definitely wouldn't be where we are today without him. After leaving school, Barry worked as a Lambaretta specialist and he was also a retained firefighter in Maidstone, where he grew up. He then spent most of his life in Retail as an area manager for Sweet Market/Four Boys and later running off licenses for Arthur Coopers and Threshers in Ashford. Barry is a wine and sprit aficionado and enjoys frequent trips to France with his wife, Catherine."
OUR STAFF
ROSIE
"Rosie, otherwise known as 'Dolly' is our family pet who brings us huge comfort at work and at home, after long days. She spends most of the working day in her beanbag and most of her evenings on a lap! She lives for cuddles and saucisson! "
