What’s it like to work for Welham Jones Funeral Directors?

Our History 

Welham Jones Funeral Directors opened in 1992, founded by the Welham and Jones families – and still led today by father-and-daughter team Simon and Rebecca Welham. Over more than three decades, the business has grown to seven branches across Borough Green, Orpington and Chelsfield, Chislehurst and Bromley, Sevenoaks, Swanley, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, while remaining true to the values at the heart of our company history. 

From the beginning, Welham Jones has placed family, community and compassion at the centre of its work. As a genuinely independent funeral director, the business is deeply rooted in West Kent and Southeast London. With our community-first ethos, our teams support local charities, faith groups, care homes and community organisations. 

The same family-focused approach that guides how we care for local families also shapes how we treat our staff. 

The realities of funeral work 

Funeral work asks for resilience and tenderness in equal measure. It can be emotionally demanding, but no one faces those moments alone. Sam O’Flynn, who based in our Tunbridge Wells branch, describes how important a sense of community is, when dealing with the challenges of the role: “Rosanna and I often call each other for a quick debrief. We make a cup of tea and get it off our chests.” 

We are able to foster such relationships through practical, shoulder-to-shoulder training from day one. Whether it’s supporting families through decisions, coordinating funeral logistics or preparing the chapel of rest, colleagues rely on each other. New team members learn their roles side by side with experienced colleagues, shadowing everything from arranging funerals to preparing loved ones for viewing.  

Ricci Webster, another of our arrangers in Tunbridge Wells, explains, “There’s so much more that goes into arranging a funeral than people realise – from medical examiner protocols to legal processes. Thankfully, the team is brilliant at supporting each other, and I know I can always ask for help.” 

The same spirit runs through our Tonbridge branch. Rosanna Hayward, our arranger there, speaks about how the team “talk to each other. We’ve all had losses, so we understand”.  

Across every branch in West Kent and Southeast London, the reality of funeral work is a shared effort. Team members lean on one another, learn from one another and take pride in delivering care that feels personal, steady and dignified. 

How we support our Welham Jones family 

Our staff experience is built on four key pillars. 

• Trust and autonomy: Experienced team members are given the freedom to manage their duties with minimal bureaucracy. That trust speeds decision-making and lets colleagues respond to families with care and agility. 
• Pam describes it plainly: “I’m left to get on with it, without interference. Simon trusts me to run the building, the bookings and the care of the deceased.”  
• Personal support: When life gets difficult, staff are supported practically. Pam says that if something serious happens she only has to ask for time off — and is always met with understanding.  
• Alongside this informal flexibility, we provide an Employee Assistance Programme and can signpost counselling when needed, recognising that the emotional demands of the job sometimes require professional support.  
• On-the-job training and progression: Our induction and training focus on hands-on learning, shadowing experienced colleagues until new recruits are confident. We back structured professional development through the National Association of Funeral Directors and support staff pursuing qualifications such as the NAFD diploma and British Institute of Embalmers certification. Several colleagues have progressed from entry roles to funeral arrangers and directors – proof that career growth here is real.  
• Team culture and wellbeing: Everyone who joins quickly notices the “family” atmosphere. Barry sums it up: “Everyone knows everyone. It’s like coming in to see friends — you don’t get the Sunday evening dread.”  

That friendly environment helps sustain morale in a profession that can be emotionally heavy. 

What our team say about working with us 

Across our branches, staff consistently highlight warmth, pride and shared purpose. Some of the many testimonials include: 

• “Welham Jones epitomises family values, both to its staff and clients alike. I feel at home working here.”
• “It’s the most rewarding job — and the nicest group of people to work with.”
• “We always go above and beyond for families because it feels like a privilege to be entrusted with their loved ones.” 

Our clients often reflect this too, sharing heartfelt reviews about the kindness, clarity and professionalism they receive – something made possible by the committed team behind the scenes. 

This is why so many colleagues stay with us year after year. As Barry Scott put it: 

“Everyone knows everyone. It’s like coming in to see friends.” 

At Welham Jones, caring for local families begins with caring for the people who support them – with trust, warmth and genuine family values guiding every part of our work. 

If you’re looking for support planning a funeral, please contact us