Meet the Team
Here to help you
We understand that, during a time of loss, the thought of arranging a funeral can feel overwhelming. But our empathetic, professional and – above all – approachable team are here to make things as uncomplicated for you as we possibly can.
Funeral Directors
Our respectful and dignified funeral directors have over 50 years of experience between them and all possess exceptional talent for caring for your family’s needs. At Memorial Woodlands each family is assigned one funeral director to help them arrange the funeral. The families that we serve often compliment us on our attention to detail in the planning and our discretion on the day.
Steve
Funeral Director
Steve is dedicated to supporting and comforting families during their sad time of need.
He is committed to helping families remember the life of a loved one. He believes in courtesy, care and professionalism.
“I value being able to help families to appreciate that they have plenty of time and that here at Memorial Woodlands I can offer them more choices and help tailor with them the most suitable farewell.”
Anna
Funeral Director
Anna joined Memorial Woodlands as a funeral director because she loves the ethos and the tranquility.
She believes that the nature reserve we are creating, with its environmental and sustainable goals, is very important.
“I want to ensure that all the families I support are well looked after and are able to say farewell to their loved ones in a manner that’s most fitting for them.”
Claire
Funeral Director
Claire is an experienced Funeral Director who joined Memorial Woodlands in September 2023.
Claire believes helping families to craft the most appropriate farewell for their loved one to be an enormous privilege.
“This is a really rewarding role. It’s a privilege to help the families we support and I hope that I can make what is a sad time, that little bit easier.“
Sarah Jayne
Funeral Director
Before joining Memorial Woodlands, I worked as a Maternity Support Worker, within the Maternity Bereavement services at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford. It was here I gained a passion for supporting bereaved families and providing the best care I could to those families suffering a loss. I believe that every family is different and working as a Funeral Director allows me to work differently, adapting carefully to each family’s individual needs. My role here at Memorial Woodlands allows me to comfort, support and guide families when planning their loved one’s funeral. On the day of the funeral, I pride myself on our professionalism and focus hard to ensure that every funeral goes as planned and all wishes are met.
Office team
Our office staff play an important role in supporting the funeral directors, groundsmen, catering staff and our families.
Abbie
Office Manager
Abbie has worked at Memorial Woodlands since August 2017 and leads our busy Administration Team.
“Working at Memorial Woodlands is so rewarding. I love supporting the families and making their time with us as comfortable as possible. The tranquillity of the Woodlands reminds me of what is important in life.”
Maria
Plot Administrator
Maria thrives on her role in our busy Administration Department. She has particular responsibility for meeting families wishing to secure a plot or plots at Memorial Woodlands.
“I enjoy meeting families and helping them select plots within our beautiful and peaceful grounds. One particular aspect of my role is arranging and helping families prepare the interment of their loved ones’ ashes, this I find a particular honour and privilege.”
Andrew
Plot Administrator
Andrew has recently joined our skilled administrative team, he meets and guides families in selecting the most suitable memorial plot, whether a simple or shared memorial tree, within our beautiful woodland setting.
“I’m particularly honoured to be a part of the team that cares for and supports families, enabling them to make an informed choice and secure a final resting place for their loved one.”
Matt
Administrator
“Having graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2023, with an honour’s degree in music technology and further classical music studies, I spent some time composing with, teaching and listening to my fellow musicians.
With some of my own family resting peacefully within these stunning grounds, I already feel familiar with the surroundings at Memorial Woodlands. It is an honour to be able to work with those families who have loved ones in the care of or resting at Memorial Woodlands.
My role here allows me to offer comfort and guidance to those families, whether simply settling families into rooms, providing initial advice or supporting our dedicated funeral directors and the wider team. We pride ourselves on our high standards of service and care and it is a privilege to be able to offer such additional support and guidance as may be helpful.”
Support
Behind the scenes at Memorial Woodlands are a number of valuable team members.
Colin
Trustee
Colin has managed our extensive grounds since we first opened. He planted some of the very first memorial trees. Colin and his team maintain the cemeteries here and see to their seasonal care. He has come to know well very many of those families who visit.
“I’m always out and about and if you don’t spot me in tending the grounds you are quite likely to meet me directing cars in the car park when you attend a funeral here”.
Terry
Support Services Manager
Terry joined Memorial Woodlands in 2016 following a long and distinguished career in the ambulance service.
“I like to think I have brought to Memorial Woodlands an appreciation of high standards, an understanding of the requirement for regulatory compliance and most importantly a calm and dignified worldview”.
Lee
Mortuary Manager
Lee joined us in March 2026, taking on the role of Mortuary Manager, following three decades in the funeral industry that have included roles as a Funeral Assistant, a Funeral Director a Mortuary Manager and running a funeral home. This most recent post was in Newport, Wales. Lee says helping in the funeral sector is something he was “born to do” and takes pride and pleasure in being able to help families say their farewells, sharing compassion and support. Lee is a self-taught restorative artist, one of only three practicing in the U.K. in his early career, and specialised in accident and disaster restoration, a daunting but extremely important skill. Lee considers that working with the Memorial Woodlands team and more importantly it’s clients is a real privilege in a unique space.
Hospitality & Flowers
Our hospitality team are committed to ensuring that families can spend their day in comfort. Helen strives to create tributes that properly reflect each separate occasion.
Becks
Hospitality Manager
Becks and her team cater for whatever occasion our families and guests chooses, from morning coffee or afternoon tea to a buffet reception or even a sit down lunch.
“It’s an amazing feeling and privilege knowing that I can play a small part in making, for each family, what is a difficult time both memorable and seamless and free of stress as I possibly can.”
Helen
Florist
Helen is a freelance florist who has had a studio here at Memorial Woodlands, since 2010. She creates stunning floral arrangements and tributes from fresh, seasonal, flowers sourced from local suppliers.
“You can choose from my portfolio of traditional arrangements or ask for something that is unique and special to your family.”
You can contact Helen at: 07774 607034