Parkstone funeral director expands team after investment

Parkstone-based funeral director Ives and Shand has expanded its local team following investment in its premises, with staff from across the wider business now supporting the branch. 

Part of the Douch Family Group, Ives and Shand has seen increased demand since the installation of a ceremony room at its Ashley Road site several years ago. The space is used for funerals and wakes and is also hired by local community groups.

As a result, staff from other branches are now assisting funeral director Marcella McDonagh and branch manager Debbie Brown. Support includes funeral director Kerry Crowson, office administrator Jedda Hunt and funeral support manager Helen Dean.

According to Brown, who also manages the group’s Ferndown branch, AE Jolliffe and Son, the additional staff were shared between locations to meet demand.

Brown said: “Ives and Shand has been here for a long time and it is growing. The new staff are working between two branches which means we can offer an even better service.

“The ceremony room is where people can have a cost-effective funeral and wake in the same place, but it is also available for community groups and others who might need the space.”

Nick Douch, managing director of Douch Family Funerals, added: “The investment in our Parkstone branch in Ashley Road was part of a rolling programme of improvements across all our branches.

“The community is making great use of the ceremony room and it has meant we have been able to grow and take on new team members.”

The Douch Family Group operates funeral director branches in Wimborne, Corfe Mullen, Blandford, Parkstone, Wareham and Swanage.