Funeral co taken over

Luton & Dunstable Funeral Service, in Leagrave Road, Luton, and Vernon Place, Dunstable, had been two of six Independent Funeral Homes branches in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire to go into administration in November 2011.

But family owned funeral directors CPJ Field & Co has now acquired them and renamed them Shires Funeral Directors. The move has safeguarded five jobs and created a further 12 jobs, with more expected over the next year.

The other branches involved are in Letchworth, Bedford, Baldock and Kempston.

The new business name, Shires Funeral Directors, reflects the strength of awareness of the business’ existing monumental masonry division, Shires Memorials.

Jeremy Field, MD at CPJ Field & Co, said: “The acquisition complements our existing business in Buckinghamshire, operating as Heritage and Sons. As an established family owned and managed company with one of the longest associations with the funeral profession in the country, we are confident we have the expertise to successfully reinstate the homes and provide an unrivalled and compassionate service.”