Axminster Nub News expands Obituaries section as it partners with J.F. Clarke & Son

With a history spanning more than 140 years and a strong family ethos, funeral directors J.F. Clarke & Son is truly embedded in Axminster and the local community.

And championing our local, independent businesses is one of the things we do best at Axminster Nub News, so we have partnered with the funeral directors and it will be part of our Obituaries section.

From humble beginnings in Axminster, J.F. Clarke & Son is now run by the Searle family, with Roy Searle having first joined as an apprentice back in 1972 and later becoming proprietor.

In 1982, Simon Searle joined his father as an apprentice and continues to work at the family business until this day.

Now with over 35 years of experience, Simon is a pillar of the community, continuing the family tradition of funeral directing, offering support to local families in the wider Axminster area.

His wife Carole has also worked for the family business for almost two decades as a receptionist. She is a familiar, friendly face in Axminster, here to offer support and help organise a fitting tribute for your friend or family member.

In April 2019, Simon entrusted his business to family funeral directors A.J. Wakely & Sons, which was founded in Beaminster more than 100 years ago and now serves communities across Dorset, Devon and Somerset.

The main Bridport branch is now managed by Simon Wakely, grandson of founder Jack Wakely, who said: "My grandfather was a builder and undertaker in Beaminster, when father, David, came to the business, they moved to Bridport by taking on Northover and Gilbert [removals company and funeral directors] in the early 1960s."

Jack and his son, David, expanded the business to Lyme Regis and Crewkerne before opening in Chard, Ilminster and Yeovil. Simon's uncle, Clive, joined the team, which led to further expansion.

Simon and Clive have worked together on the opening of Sherborne, Sidmouth, Axminster and Wincanton, and quite recently South Petherton.

Simon said: "We embrace all the traditional aspects of funerals and we embrace all the new ideas, such as direct to the cremation, that go along with funerals now and the changes that have taken place.

"People want to celebrate life and I think that's how things have changed; they want to celebrate life as much as mourn a life.

"When someone walks through the door, they tell us what they want and we're here to accommodate everything they want, but give good advice and support to make it happen in the best way it can for them."

Simon highlights that many things have changed in regards to funerals since he became a funeral director.

"I have been in the business now for 27 years and I have seen a huge change from when I first came in," he added.

"People seem more open to talk about funerals and prepayment. I think in the last 10 to 15 years, one of the biggest changes I have seen in this industry is prepayment. People want to talk about their funeral and plan it, and in some cases pay for it.

"I can see the benefits to families. If you've given your family that guidance about what you want for a funeral it can help them in decision making. Many don't want their family to worry about paying for the funeral - it is obviously a difficult time for families, whether they plan ahead or not, we are here to help.

"If there was one message I could send out to anyone planning a funeral, I would always recommend them going to see their local funeral director to get it done properly."

To find out more about J.F. Clark & Son, part of the A.J Wakely & Sons group, visit ajwakely.com

You can find the latest local obituaries on the Axminster Nub News Obituaries page.