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 a Henry, and so became established H. L. Hawes & Son Ltd as it is still known today.
More than 160 years on, the Company's head office is now at Barkingside with a branch office at Station Road, North Chingford. In December 2007 we opened an office in Waltham Abbey, trading as The Abbey Independent Funeral Directors Ltd. In 2009 we took over the established business of Peter Musgrave in Leytonstone foloowing Mr Musgrave's retirement.
H. L. Hawes & Son Ltd has three directors: Mr & Mrs Selwyn Griffiths, former employees who joined the Company in 1947, and Mr Alun Tucker, the present Managing Director, who is responsible for the day to day running of the Company. He has over 35 years experience in the funeral profession.
In recent years many enquiries have been received regarding prepaid funerals, and we now offer THE HAWES FUNERAL PLAN & Golden Charter, which enables someone to plan and pay for their funeral in advance.