Norman McBriar & Son receives half-million-pound investment

Funeral Directors, Norman McBriar and Son, Saintfield has expanded its business following a half-million-pound investment from Ulster Bank. The company, which was founded 20 years ago by Norman McBriar, provides funeral services including coordinating ceremony arrangements, registrations, funeral planning, headstones and memorials. Currently situated on Mainstreet, the investment will see the business relocated to a larger premises in the area. Funeral director, Mark McBriar, said the investment and support from Ulster Bank was important to “help the family business continue to grow”. As part of the initial Ulster Bank-backed investment, the independent funeral directors will add four family viewing rooms and a non-denominational service room for private memorials at its new premises. Commenting on the investment, he said: “We currently operate from a funeral parlour with only one viewing room, but thanks to the financial backing of Ulster Bank we’re expanding into larger premises that will accommodate four viewing rooms to enable us to facilitate rising demand. “Here, family, friends and mourners can gather for a private, non-denominational memorial service or family-only committal.” He added: “We pride ourselves on bearing that load for the family, making the process as simple as possible during what is a difficult time.” Derick Wilson, business development manager at Ulster Bank, said: “We’re proud to support Norman McBriar and Son to usher in a new era for their family business. The purchase and renovation of these new premises will provide the business with the infrastructure it needs to build upon a successful two decades in the local community. “As an independent family business with customer service at its core, the investment will ensure the business is well positioned to sustain its upward growth trajectory.”