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The Global Family Business Champions

Investment Pays Off For Dorset Funeral Group



A leading Dorset funeral group that invested heavily in two of its branches has seen its team grow to meet increasing demand from the communities it serves.


Douch Family Funeral Directors has expanded the team at its two Lesley Shand branches in Corfe Mullen and Blandford.


The Corfe Mullen branch was completely rebuilt in 2018 and the Blandford branch opened in 2015. Both have ceremony rooms available to local families and community groups.


Emma Byron, who manages both branches, said:

“We are really proud of what the Lesley Shand team has become. Five people working across two branches, supporting each other and the wider Douch Family when needed."

"Our ceremony rooms are there for families arranging services but also for the wider community to use. Being rooted in these towns matters to us and we work hard to reflect that."


“Our community outreach is important to us and being a long-standing family business means we really understand the communities we work in.”


Nick Douch, managing director of Douch Family Funeral Directors, said:

“The investment in both Lesley Shand branches has been worthwhile and it’s great to see the team grow in response to that. Being a family business we look ahead for generations, and our philosophy is one of service, transparency and doing right by the communities we serve.”

Douch Family Funeral Directors operates seven branches across Dorset and offers a multi award-winning funeral plan.


Photo:  (l-r) Peter Short, Danielle Beechey, Emma Byron, Natalie Lanham Leanne Admini,


Douch Family Funeral Directors have been helping families with funeral arrangements for over 100 years. Branches include Douch & Small, A E Jolliffe & Son, Albert Marsh, James Smith, Ives & Shand and Lesley Shand Funeral Service. They’re based in Wimborne, Ferndown, Wareham, Poole, Swanage, Blandford and Corfe Mullen.

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