Funeral directors undergoes huge rebuild after major investment
A FUNERAL directors has undergone a huge rebuild following major investment.
AE Jolliffe & Son in Ferndown has seen a huge programme of development at the site in Victoria Road on the town's main crossroads.
It is part of Douch Family Funeral Directors, which has invested heavily in the rebuild to create a facility for the future.
Nick Douch, managing director of the family firm, said: "The upgrading of our Ferndown facility is part of a rolling programme to improve all our seven branches in Dorset.
"The site was large but had not been maximised to its full potential over the years.
"However, we were able to get permission to make a far better use of the land."
The site has been extended to provide a reception area, offices, meeting rooms, and five chapels of rest where families can visit their loved ones.
Mr Douch said the new premises will enable people to have a funeral service and a wake in the same location, which is "more cost effective and more practical".
He said technology has been installed so services can be broadcast to those who are unable to attend.
A garden of remembrance is also at the site which people can visit at any time.
There is also now a purposefully designed ceremony room for funeral services which can be adapted for various other community events.
Buildings for the other parts of the business have been added along with parking spaces for visitors and for the business’s funeral fleet.
Mr Douch added: “While we retain the important traditions of our long-standing branches, we are always looking to the future.”
An open day for the public will be held on Friday, October 6, between 1pm and 5pm.
Tours of the areas not usually open to the public will be available and outside will be parked a hearse, motorcycle hearse, and limousine.
Douch Family Funeral Directors have been helping families with funeral arrangements for more than 100 years.
Its branches are based in Wimborne, Ferndown, Wareham, Poole, Swanage, Blandford and Corfe Mullen.
