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Halifax-based funeral director Shaun Thorpe is opening an independent funeral home later this month on Wheatley Lane in Lee Mount, after years of providing bereavement support to families.
Previously specialising in frontline mental health services for the NHS, Thorpe entered the funeral profession as a casual bearer, before progressing to become a qualified funeral director at BJ Melia and Sons.
Speaking on the opening, Thorpe said: “It is about supporting people through grief, being an active part of the community, encouraging open conversations about death and bereavement, and ensuring every family receives compassionate and dignified care.”
Thorpe has emphasised the importance of providing affordable care suitable for all customers, regardless of their circumstances or background. He added: “I am committed to making funeral services accessible, ensuring that those facing financial hardship are still able to arrange a dignified funeral for their loved one.”
He has invested in a private service chapel, offering families a traditional funeral service, for up to 30 guests, usually followed by a direct cremation, at a lower cost than services held at a crematorium or church. The chapel can also be used for services prior to a burial or an attended cremation.
Thorpe has recently been recognised for his efforts within the sector, having been nominated for funeral director of the year at the Good Funeral Awards for his professional support and dignified farewells in West Yorkshire.
