Funeral director opens its eighth branch in the Midlands
Family-owned Wathall’s, a Derby-based independent funeral director, has opened its eighth branch – in Littleover.
The new location joins Wathall’s existing branches in Macklin Street, Allestree, Alvaston, Ashbourne, Borrowash, Chaddesden, and Burton-on-Trent.
The newly refurbished branch, formerly a retail unit, is fully accessible and includes additional disabled parking, an arranging room, and a chapel of rest for families.
It also features an area with samples of headstones and memorials, provided by Wathall’s sister company, Art Stone Memorials.
Helen Wathall MBE, said: “Over the generations, we have always been dedicated to providing local services to local communities and to supporting people at times of greatest need in several ways. I have wanted to open a branch in Littleover for some time to better serve the local community here who have previously come to our other Derby branches.
“I was therefore delighted to be able to secure these premises which give us the space to provide comfortable and private rooms for families to pre-plan and arrange funerals as well as a chapel for families to be able to say their final goodbyes to a loved one.
“The Littleover branch will also enable families to peruse the new ranges of urns and KEepsakes as well as discuss memorials and headstones which are designed, created and installed by our sister company Art Stone Memorials.”
The branch is managed by Karen Knighton, an experienced funeral arranger who joined Wathall’s in 2022 after working in the NHS and transitioning to the funeral services profession.
She said: “Having worked at various other Wathall branches, I am delighted to have responsibility for the new Littleover branch. Littleover is also a thriving business community and we look forward to becoming part of
the local efforts to provide a thriving and welcoming experience for local residents and visitors alike.
“Funeral arranging is a very rewarding job and there is no better feeling when a family tells you how much you have helped make a horrible time in their lives more bearable.”
