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Edwin Burnell was a monumental mason
who started up in business in 1860. He had a yard in Their very first funeral was for a Mrs. Spratt at the outbreak
of World War One. They provided 'a polished elm coffin, brassed
fittings, brocade padded sides, flannel robe, inscription, plate and bearer,
one no. 3 car and one no.2 carriage' - all for £7.2s 0d, and the bill was
never paid! 'Well', said Albert philosophically to his son Reginald, 'that
was the Spratt to catch a mackerel'. Apart from the developing war, this was
a delightful time with horse-drawn carriages and The austerity during and after the Second World War put an
end to the extravagant funeral with mutes, velvet pall, cloaks and child
attendants. Mourners gave up wearing black for months and writing on
black-edged writing paper and carrying black-edged handkerchiefs. The only
vestiges of long-term mourning that are retained are the black tie and
armband, a relic of the crepe bands that Victorian Bristolians
wore on their hats. Even in their passing, The fifth Burnell-Tovey, as the company became styled, is Richard, who reckons he is the best qualified funeral director in the land, with a B.Sc., M.Sc., and Dip F.D. - and he says he never intended to go into the business. In the late 1970s, while waiting for replies to his many
applications for jobs, Richard helped in the office answering the phone and
holding the fort generally while his father, Grayston,
was out conducting funerals. He was 23 when his father, who had 30 years
experience, described him as being a born funeral director in the way he
dealt with people and understood their needs. He asked Richard whether e
would consider joining him in the business. So Richard said he would give it
a go. Richard is proud of the company where he has worked for 27
years and speaks glowingly of his father, Grayston,
who he believes was one of the first people to be awarded the MBIE. 'He
taught me all I know and when I started he made sure I worked through every
age doing removals, lining coffins, preparing bodies and learning about
interviewing techniques. Then having accomplished that, he asked whether I
would be prepared to do the diploma course in funeral directing - and was
subsequently delighted when I got top marks in the country in October 1978
and won the Scales Award'. There is still a strong religious involvement in the
business. Richard's father and grandfather were Christian Scientists. Having
been involved with this movement for
about fifty years and recognising their needs and special requirements, the
company is well known in the The decor in the premises is still traditional throughout
- very much in keeping with the building, which is now around 150 years 1
Richard has been responsible for modernising and refurbishing the funeral
home, particularly the mortuary and cold room. There an attractive entrance
and foyer, two private chapels of rest, a large workshop and coffin storage
area, a mortuary/preparation room and a room for engraving. The transport,
which is a black Daimler fleet of a hearse and two limousines, is garaged
elsewhere the area. Richard arranges and conducts all the funerals himself in this very busy company. Fortunately Judith, his partner, works with him full time and his supportive team of drivers and bearers, who work part time, are always on call. |
Edwin Burnell
(Founder) 1836-1917.
Edwin’s
daughter Annie Burnell with husband Albert Tovey (1868-1927)
Monumental
masonry workshop 1904. Edwin
Burnell (right) and Albert Tovey
(2nd right).
Reginald Burnell
Tovey Albert Tovey Son
of Albert father of Grayston Son-in-law of Edwin
E.
Burnell and Son, Monumental Masons approximately
1904
Richard
(left) with his father Grayston Burnell
Tovey (1923-2000). Picture taken in 1987. Grayston retired in 1978. |
