History
The first recorded funeral conducted by H L Hawes & Son Ltd was in 1847.
At that time Henry Lawrence Hawes was a coal merchant in the East End, and as so often happened to men owning premises and transport at that time, he was called upon to arrange and conduct funerals when necessary.
Life in those days was tough, and as 55% of babies born died before their third birthday, it is of little surprise that the first recorded funeral was that of a child.
The first known address for this business was in the Mile End new town.
It is known that Henry Hawes had three sons and that two of them eventually set up their own funeral businesses in other parts of the East End.
Records show that when the split came in the 1880's, Henry moved to Ilford with his son, also called Henry, and so became established H L Hawes & Son Ltd, as it is still known today.
More than 164 years on
The Company's head office is at 106 Tanners Lane, Barkingside IG6 1QE with a branch office at 153 Station Road, North Chingford
E4 6AG.
We opened an office in Waltham Abbey, trading as The Abbey Independent Funeral Directors Ltd, in December 2007.
In May 2009 we took over the established business of Peter Musgrave in Leytonstone following Mr Musgrave's retirement.
H L Hawes & Son Ltd has two directors: Mrs Larna Griffiths, former employee who joined the Company in 1947, and Mr Alun Tucker, the present Managing Director.
Alun has over forty years' experience in the funeral profession and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the company.
He is a Fellow, Past President and Former Chief Executive of The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), the trade association for Independent Funeral Directors.
Alun is also Former Chairman of the Independent Funeral Directors College which exists to ensure that funeral staff are trained to the highest standard.
As a Member of The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), we agree to comply with their
code of practice.
We co-operate at all times with Trading Standards Offices, Citizens Advice Bureau, consumer support groups, and any other organisation representing clients in the resolution of complaints or disputes, including The Funeral Arbitration Scheme.