Brooks Independent Funeral Directors opens in Malmesbury High Street

The sun shone on town mayor Gavin Grant and deputy mayor Phil Exton as they cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Brooks Independent Funeral Directors on Saturday, October 28.

A partnership with Johnson and Daltrey converted the former jewellers at 21 High Street, Malmesbury into a funeral directory office and chapel of rest in 2017, but it has now been taken over by local lad Chris Brooks.

Town mayor Gavin Grant outside the new Brooks Independent Funeral Directors in Malmesbury next to the raffle stand (Image: Richard Harris)

Born and bred in Malmesbury Chris has been in the funeral profession since leaving school 18 years ago and is delighted to see his vision of his very own business come into fruition. 

His father David supported his son's desire to work in the funeral profession by arranging work experience with the town's funeral director at the time (Chris Matthews) when Chris was just 15 years old.

Chris went onto complete the Foundational Certificate in Funeral Services after leaving school aged 16, and qualified with a Diploma in Funeral Directing in 2009.

Chris Brooks (Image: Richard Harris)

When the chance arose to form his own funeral directors under the Brooks name earlier this year he leapt at the opportunity.

The young entrepreneur is committed to personally serving the town's community with the utmost professionalism and care at emotional times of loss.

Chris handed out Brooks branded cupcakes and cups of tea to residents who visited the office for the first time.

Visitors coming into the Brooks Independent Funeral Directors for the first time (Image: Richard Harris)

There was also raffle tickets for sale offering an afternoon tea for two at the Old Bell which was raising money for one of Cllr Grant's mayoral charities,  HEALS of Malmesbury.

Mayor Gavin Grant said: "Brooks has an interesting story as a young entrepreneur born and bred in Malmesbury with a vocation at a very early age to go into the funeral business and its great to see him continuing the family tradition of the Brooks family trading in Malmesbury. 

"We were also delighted that he chose HEALS of Malmesbury as local beneficiaries of the raffle and he wants to use local suppliers wherever possible for his business."