About William Purves Funeral Directors
Funeral directors
Pre-paid plans
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William Purves Funeral Directors Description
You may be reading this because you’ve just lost a loved one and are naturally wondering where to turn for help. That is the entire point of this website: to give you the advice and guidance you need on every aspect of the funeral process. We feel we are well placed to offer this advice for two reasons. Firstly, we have been in the funeral business since 1888. Secondly, we are a family run firm. Our family wants to be there for your family. Please see this as the start of the support and advice you can expect from William Purves Funeral Directors.
William Purves, the founder of our family run firm, was born in the Borders. He started his career as a joiner and set off for a new life in New Zealand. He got as far as Edinburgh. Obviously he fell in love with the place because he set up shop here. By the end of the 19th Century William Purves and his ten joiners undertook the tasks of cabinet making, french polishing, upholstering… and undertaking
In the early 1900s, his son William (or Willie as everyone knew him) became the second generation to carry on the family business, opening a funeral office in Marchmont Road. Willie was obviously a fortunate man because, due to his mother’s illness, he was given permission to leave the front in WW1 and come home. On his return to the front he learned that the rest of his regiment, The Scots Greys Cavalry, had all been killed.
And so we come to the third generation of the Purves family to join the business. John (or Jack as he was known) was a time served joiner and worked alongside his father until Willie died in 1962. In the late 60s Jack finally retired the joinery side of the company and the family concentrated solely on the funeral business. Soon afterwards they opened a funeral office with rest rooms and a service chapel to seat 50. They purchased their first hearse (an Austin 3 litre) and their first funeral cars (Daimlers).
Jack had 5 children and fostered many more. His son, John, became the fourth generation of Purves to join the company, in 1973, taking over when his father passed away in 1975.
John set about growing the business together with his brother-law, Graeme Brown.
From the early 80s onwards William Purves Funeral Directors opened more of their own offices throughout Edinburgh and The Lothians and purchased other Funeral Directors both in Scotland and the North of England.
Today, John is chairman of William Purves Funeral Directors. He shares the responsibility of running the company with his son, Tim, who is the fifth generation of the Purves family to run the business, as well as fellow company directors James Morris and Roger Pagan.
As you will have gathered the business is very much family run. Today, as well as John and Tim, there are five great, great grandchildren of the founder, currently working for William Purves Funeral Directors.
The five generations share many things in common and one thing in particular: the Christian Faith has always been a very important part of the company ethos.
Reviews
Congratulations to the team from Maitland Bowling Club! Glad to be part of the day, thanks for such a well organised tournament, and for the warm welcome. Hope to see you all next year again.
One of the best parts of this job is giving our clients what they ask for. So when we get a request for ‘ridiculously bright’ flowers and the florist delivers this beautiful arrangement, we know we have carried out their wishes.
We are excited to announce that we will be opening a new branch in St Andrews in the near future and we are delighted to welcome Syd Stevenson to operate and manage this branch.
Syd has been providing the highest levels of care to bereaved families in Fife for over two decades, and will head up a William Purves team operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
As of now Syd and the team can be reached on 01334 303 606 24 hours a day for funeral support.
It costs nothing to have a conversation. Why not call or message us for further information.
After a snowy start to the year, it’s lovely to finally see some sun over Yester Parish Church in Gifford, East Lothian.
We are currently advertising for the role of Funeral Director. If you think this is something that you, or someone else might be interested in then take a look at our website.
http://www.williampurves.co.uk/…/our-te am/job-opportunities/
Lovely to see some blue sky and a little sunshine today. We can’t wait for spring to finally arrive and the snow to stop.
Like many other businesses in the Edinburgh and Lothians, we are sending some of our staff home. If you are planning on coming in to one of our offices, please call first to make sure it is open. As ever, we are still available 24 hours a day via telephone. If you phone your local branch one of our members of staff will answer your call.
Two of our hearses all ready for an early morning start during the week.
A trip into the countryside brought us this stunning picture today. We regularly travel all over Scotland and into England for funerals.
We are delighted that the ceremony could go ahead today with the gravestone in place and that we could play a small part in helping that to happen.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/…/uk-scotland-edin burgh-east-fife-4268…
Great to be mentioned in the Scotsman today with photos of our Memorial Team; David and Martin Beattie.
https://www.scotsman.com/…/greyfriars-b obby-memorial-fixed-…
We have been delighted to be able to help re-erect the gravestone of Greyfriars Bobby's master in time for the 146th anniversary memorial this weekend.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/…/uk-scotland-edin burgh-east-fife-4266…
Today we look at the life of Charles Rennie Mackintosh — architect, designer, artist and one of Scotland's most influential creative figures. The work of this revolutionary artist was influential on European design movements such as Art Nouveau and Secessionism. Who should we include next as part of our ‘life well spent’ feature?
Our core values always run throughout everything that we do here at William Purves. www.williampurves.co.uk
Greener Goodbyes are designed to offer a simple way of making funerals a little greener and environmentally friendly. The service is composed of three simple elements; an eco-coffin, a natural memorial and a community legacy. From wicker to cardboard, wood or wool, see our selection of coffins here: http://bit.ly/2xxKkxJ
At William Purves we stay strong, so you don’t have to. williampurves.co.uk
Funerals come in all shapes and sizes, but some happen to be a little more expensive than others. williampurves.co.uk
At William Purves we provide funeral arrangements for all religions. With nearly 130 years of experience, we understand how different communities view death and have a proven track record in providing appropriate services. www.williampurves.co.uk
Took me a while to get round to giving feedback but really wanted to take the time to say thanks. Such a professional and caring response. Nothing too much trouble and all done with dignity and patience at a difficult time. Easy to recommend William Purves.
This company is superb. Had many dealings with their compassionate staff over the years when I worked in care homes. Professional and very caring.
The service provided is second to none from the first moment we walked through the door off the funeral directors we were greeted in a professional and respectful manner!! Our every need was met!! I would definitely recommend this service to everyone who is in the process of grieving, my grandfather looked so peaceful and he was presented n such a dignified way!! I know he would have been proud
The service my sister and I received was excellent couldn't fault the staff. We very at ease and their professionalism gave us every confidence in them. Would highly recommend.
Exquisite Service. Team are caring, sympathetic, polite, courteous and professional. Would not go anywhere else. Nothing is too much hassle. They take the burden of organising such an emotional day. I can't thank them enough.
I'm sure William and Purves do a good job most of the time but I experienced some lack of professionalism from them and a real lack of communication.
After traveling halfway around the world I arrived at their office jet lagged and grieving the sudden loss of my mum. I had made contact the day prior to go in to sort out paperwork however when I arrived it seemed a mystery to them that I was coming, so we were left waiting for a little while and then the staff member had to take some time even leaving the room to "familiarize" himself with the fact they had agreed to provide their services to us.
Once the paper work was completed which went smoothly I was suddenly informed the bill would have to be paid upfront in full. This was never mentioned in prior contact with them. It was uncomfortable and I felt it was unprofessional. Nevertheless I settled the account then and there even though I had made arrangements with other family members regarding the payment later.
Perhaps they looked at me after 35hrs of flying and not appearing and judged that I might do a runner later without paying, perhaps not.
They were also not clear on timings of events and I had no further contact from them which I felt was poor from a company that people entrust their loved ones too.
The staff were friendly and helpful especially the lady at reception and I can't say any of them wanted it to be an unpleasant experience but I do think a breakdown in communication both within William and Purves and to myself was to blame.
All very sad to add this experience on top of losing my mum.
Given the option again I would have picked a different funeral director personally.
Took me a while to get round to giving feedback but really wanted to take the time to say thanks. Such a professional and caring response. Nothing too much trouble and all done with dignity and patience at a difficult time. Easy to recommend William Purves.
This company is superb. Had many dealings with their compassionate staff over the years when I worked in care homes. Professional and very caring.
The service provided is second to none from the first moment we walked through the door off the funeral directors we were greeted in a professional and respectful manner!! Our every need was met!! I would definitely recommend this service to everyone who is in the process of grieving, my grandfather looked so peaceful and he was presented n such a dignified way!! I know he would have been proud
The service my sister and I received was excellent couldn't fault the staff. We very at ease and their professionalism gave us every confidence in them. Would highly recommend.
Exquisite Service. Team are caring, sympathetic, polite, courteous and professional. Would not go anywhere else. Nothing is too much hassle. They take the burden of organising such an emotional day. I can't thank them enough.
I'm sure William and Purves do a good job most of the time but I experienced some lack of professionalism from them and a real lack of communication.
After traveling halfway around the world I arrived at their office jet lagged and grieving the sudden loss of my mum. I had made contact the day prior to go in to sort out paperwork however when I arrived it seemed a mystery to them that I was coming, so we were left waiting for a little while and then the staff member had to take some time even leaving the room to "familiarize" himself with the fact they had agreed to provide their services to us.
Once the paper work was completed which went smoothly I was suddenly informed the bill would have to be paid upfront in full. This was never mentioned in prior contact with them. It was uncomfortable and I felt it was unprofessional. Nevertheless I settled the account then and there even though I had made arrangements with other family members regarding the payment later.
Perhaps they looked at me after 35hrs of flying and not appearing and judged that I might do a runner later without paying, perhaps not.
They were also not clear on timings of events and I had no further contact from them which I felt was poor from a company that people entrust their loved ones too.
The staff were friendly and helpful especially the lady at reception and I can't say any of them wanted it to be an unpleasant experience but I do think a breakdown in communication both within William and Purves and to myself was to blame.
All very sad to add this experience on top of losing my mum.
Given the option again I would have picked a different funeral director personally.