Jennings Funeral Directors

In 1848, George Jennings, like many other carpenters and builders at the time, was asked to perform the duties of an undertaker by a close family friend, as he had the necessary skills to build a coffin, arrange for the hearse and take care of all the other funeral arrangements.

The funeral was such a success that in the same year George and his wife Sarah set up their first funeral home called, George Jennings General Undertakers. Initially, George and Sarah did all the work themselves, often working long hours from small premises on 2 Union Mill Street, the same place George worked as a woodworker. They worked tirelessly until their son Frederick took over the business in 1875, after which they enjoyed a well-deserved retirement. George and Sarah both died in 1907.

Over The Generations

George's son, Frederick, took over the family business in 1875. At this time the business was beginning to outgrow the funeral home on Union Mill Street, and between 1893 and 1903, Frederick moved the business to a new home on St. James Street. The new funeral home was much bigger and had space for new workshops, stabling and a coach house.

Frederick was in charge of the family business for over 40 years and died in 1916. His two sons Frederick (Jnr) and George took over the business after him, while his third son John, known as Jack, went on to become a Methodist Minister after leaving His Majesty's Forces. Frederick and George expanded the funeral home by purchasing and refurbishing the adjacent building and this allowed them to add an oak-panelled service room.

By 1937 they had added three Chapels of Rest, each with leaded windows and the horse-drawn hearses had been replaced with Model T Fords before they acquired the firm's first Daimlers from the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. Around this time their sons, George (Jnr), John and Harold had also joined the business. They celebrated the centenary of Jennings in 1948.