Group opens 1,000th funeral home

The Co-op Group’s Funeralcare division has opened its 1,000th funeral home, in Ashtead, Surrey.

“The opening of Ashtead is a great milestone for the Co-op and forms part of our focus on making our services as accessible as possible to customers and members within their local communities,” said managing director of Co-op Funeralcare, Richard Lancaster. There are 1,550 Co-op Group members within a two mile radius of the new funeral home.

Mr Lancaster added: “Our presence in Ashtead will provide bereaved families in the local community with access to the high quality of care and professional standards that we have stood by for over 100 years. In addition to being there for the bereaved when they need us most, colleagues show exactly what the Co-op stands for by also taking an active role in their communities to make a difference.”

The funeral home was officially opened by Simon Ling, the vice chair and local district councillor, who unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening day of the 1,000th Co-op Group funeral home. The site is one of the first to take on the new Co-op branding, unveiled at the Group’s AGM in May, and features a reception room, two family arrangement rooms and a service chapel.

Jan Neeson, funeral director at Ashtead Co-op Funeralcare, commented: “The opening of Ashtead was a great success and we hope that people will come to see us as a friendly ear in the community.

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“Our team are very passionate about building relationships with local people, and I have no doubt that they’ll get stuck into many projects and charity events as the months go on.”

The British Red Cross, the Co-op Group’s current charity partner, also attended the opening.

“Congratulations to everyone at Ashtead. Co-op Funeralcare is making a valued contribution to our partnership with the Co-op Group to tackle loneliness and social isolation,” said Colin Brown, British Red Cross UK director for independent living and crisis response.

“The partnership has already raised £2m in the first eight months. We look forward to working with colleagues in Ashtead and around the country, as they continue the fundraising effort and we further develop our services to provide vital care and support that helps thousands more isolated and lonely people reconnect with their communities.”