Dorset's Douch Family Funeral Directors officially launches new facility in Ferndown

The new state-of-the-art AE Jolliffe & Son ceremony room, which has seen considerable investment, was opened by MP Sir Christopher Chope OBE.

The company's branches include Douch & Small, A E Jolliffe & Son, Albert Marsh, James Smith, Ives & Shand and Lesley Shand Funeral Service.

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Nick Douch, managing director, said: "While the new facility has been operational for some time, it has now had its official opening.

“Our chapels of rest were blessed by Rev Patches Chabala and Fr Anthony Achunonu, with numerous other clergymen attending.

“We had a presentation in the new ceremony room before Sir Christopher Chope unveiled the plaque. And we were pleased that Krissy Stamp, Mayoress of Ferndown, was able to attend.

“We had many other official guests including representatives from DMW Architects and Greendale Construction, who designed and built the premises.

“Our commitment to the community we serve is something we take seriously, and we want local people to use what we have created.

"We have a rolling programme of updating or rebuilding all our seven branches across Dorset."

Chope said: "This is a great investment for Ferndown.

"It will benefit the whole community and I know the family has its fifth generation coming up in the business."

He unveiled a plaque in the new Sheila Kendrick ceremony suite - named after the daughter of Bert Jolliffe who set up the business before the Douch family took it over.

At Ferndown, the 1930s house on the site has been extended to provide reception area, offices meeting rooms and five chapels of rest which were blessed during the opening by representatives of local churches.

There is also a garden.

Douch Family Funeral Directors are based in Wimborne, Ferndown, Wareham, Poole, Swanage, Blandford and Corfe Mullen.

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