“You are the best”

Quantock Funeral Services

More than 300 guests came together in London for the 25th Funeral Planner of the Year Awards on Saturday 21 September, where Quantock Funeral Services took the national prize.

Ahead of presenting the awards, Golden Charter CEO, Suzanne Grahame, told the room: “Evenings like these are all about saying thank you.

“Not just in the successes we are celebrating this evening, but in everything you do, every day of the year, for your families. I am constantly humbled as I travel around the country to learn how you go about your lives making a difference for families.”

Suzanne added: “This year we have introduced a number of new awards, looking at education, at family businesses, encouraging people to reflect on different areas of their business. We were delighted that all of these categories were so well supported, so we’ll be looking at how we can do more over the coming years.”

Quantock took the last of 27 awards which covered regions across the whole of the UK and Ireland, as well as six new awards based on interests such as environmentalism, online marketing and innovation.

This year’s host Gyles Brandreth brought to the event not just his trademark wit, but a long standing connection to the funeral profession through his grandparents, who belonged to the Kenyon family.

Gyles told guests: “The real reason I am here tonight is because I respect and value, from both sides of my family, what you do year in, year out. You are the people who have chosen to spend your lives making a time that for many families is the most trying, difficult, emotionally wrenching, the best it possibly can be.

“You all work with such care, with attention, with friendship and with love, and I just want you to know it’s wonderful. What you do is so worthwhile. You are the best.”

Below are the winners of this year’s 27 awards. Each received an award and certificate, alongside contributions towards marketing and a staff celebration, and award sponsor the Woodland Trust dedicated trees on behalf of each winner.

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