Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials was established in 1992 when Mac Jones, a well-renowned funeral director in Sevenoaks, went into business with his son in-law Simon Welham and together they created an independent family-owned funeral directors in Kent. In 2003, after a 30-year career in banking, Simon joined to manage the operations of Welham Jones.
Rebecca Welham joined the family business in 2010, she trained from the ground up to become a Senior Funeral Director, whilst managing the marketing operations as Business Development Manager. In 2021, she was appointed Director.
Our fierce pride in having the family name attached to our business means we would never compromise the standard of service we provide.
Over 30 years, the family firm has grown to seven funeral homes in different parts of Kent, including: Borough Green, Chislehurst, Orpington, Swanley, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells – with a main ‘hub’ to service them all in Dunton Green.
Mac Jones left his role as General Manager of The Southern Group, the UK’s largest privately owned funeral concern, when it was acquired by SCI. He and his son-in-law, Simon Welham, started floating ideas for a local, independent funeral directors underpinned by traditional values to serve the community.
Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials opened its first funeral home in Sevenoaks. The ‘ideal building’ on a prominent site near Sevenoaks railway station, at the junction of St Botolph’s Road and London Road, will be remembered by many as the site of French’s Dairies, another well-known family concern.
“It was a proud moment seeing our name above the door” ~ Simon Welham
After 18 months serving the communities in and around Sevenoaks, the business is incorporated as Welham Jones Limited.
An opportunity presents itself to expand, and suitable premises are found at Belmont Parade, Green Lane, Chislehurst. Welham Jones becomes the towns’ first and only funeral director.
Welham Jones expands further by opening premises in Station Road, Swanley, establishing itself as the town’s only family-owned funeral director.
Simon joins as Managing Director, whilst continued expansion leads to pressure on premises, and a site is secured in Dunton Green to establish a purpose-built, state-of-the art private mortuary. Opened early in 2004, this facility provides up-to-date facilities that comply with current and foreseen Health and Safety legislation.
Workshop and garaging facilities are opened alongside the Dunton Green mortuary, giving Welham Jones a focal point for its operations. A new fleet of vehicles, comprising hearses and limousines, completed a 2-year investment programme intended as a platform for further expansion.
The availability of suitable premises in Western Road, Borough Green, leads us to open a very spacious office and establish ourselves as the town’s only family-owned funeral director.
Daughter, Rebecca, joined the family business in November 2010 as a funeral director and business development manager. Rebecca builds on Welham Jones’ existing relationships with local businesses, nursing homes and the clergy as well as promoting the company and family name.
A visible retail property close to Chelsfield station became available, prompting our decision to open a new branch in Chelsfield and Orpington.
A ready-made property came onto the market in Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, leading to a decision to open an office there.
On 2nd September, we celebrated our 25th anniversary in business.
Our Tonbridge branch opened in September, after a period of redevelopment.
The COVID-19 pandemic meant we had to change the way we operated due to restrictions set out by the government, whilst still supporting families at a very uncertain time. As key workers, Welham Jones operated throughout the pandemic.
Moving forward with the family progression, Rebecca Welham is appointed as a Director of Welham Jones in December.
On 2nd September, Welham Jones celebrated our 30th anniversary, as the country started to readjust back to a more usual way of operating funerals.
Welham Jones feature on the cover of So Tunbridge Wells, introducing the family business to its readership base. (Photo: @SnappyDavid)
Welham Jones launch a new website with improved user experience for visitors.
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