Relph Funeral Directors celebrate 150 years of service

Relph Funeral Directors in North Ormesby is marking 150 years of service this year. 

The funeral directors opened its first branch in 1870 and was established by Joseph Relph and members of the Relph family have continued to work in the business ever since. 

Joseph Relph passed the running of the funeral directors to his son Cuthbert in 1898 and he served local bereaved families with assistance from his wife until 1907. Cuthbert’s son Bert then took over the practice before passing it on to his three sons in 1975. 

One of these sons, Michael, still remains working for Relph Funeral Directors as a Consultant, getting involved in arranging and conducting two or three funerals a month upon client’s request.

Amanda Conway, funeral manager at Relph, said: “I am proud to work for a business grown on family values and care for our local community. 

“We aim to create a personal experience for each of our customers, ensuring we give them everything they need to remember their loved ones if the way they would have wished. 150 years seems like a long time but I can assure you we will be here to support our customers for years to come.”

The Relph branches became part of Dignity in 1997 and have since opened branches in Marton, Billingham, Acklam and Stockton-On-Tees.