A family-run funeral service in Felixstowe is preparing to open its doors on Saturday – and hopes that it will be serving the community for many generations to come. 

Run by Luke Smith and his wife, Victoria, Smith Family Independent Funeral Directors in Undercliff Road will open for business this weekend. 

Mr Smith explained that he felt compelled to become a funeral director after losing his grandmother.  

“I find great comfort in helping people,” he explained. “I treat people's loved ones as our family - we use loved ones' names, not a number. 

“The costs of funerals are getting very high, and people are struggling to pay them. 

"So, we decided that it was enough, and everyone should be able to say goodbye to their loved one and not break the bank.” 

Ipswich Star: L-R: Michael Tuckwood, Michael Davies, Luke Smith, Victoria Smith, Alistair Parker and Ken Guilder. Image: Luke SmithL-R: Michael Tuckwood, Michael Davies, Luke Smith, Victoria Smith, Alistair Parker and Ken Guilder. Image: Luke Smith (Image: Luke Smith)

Ipswich Star: Luke and Victoria Smith are parents to two-year-old Layla, and are expecting a baby boy in January. Image: Charlotte BondLuke and Victoria Smith are parents to two-year-old Layla, and are expecting a baby boy in January. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)Ipswich Star: A new family-run funeral directors has opened up in Felixstowe. Pictured L-R: Alistair Parker, a bearer, business owner Luke Smith and his wife Victoria, holding two-year-old Layla, and Michael Davies, also a bearer. Image: Charlotte BondA new family-run funeral directors has opened up in Felixstowe. Pictured L-R: Alistair Parker, a bearer, business owner Luke Smith and his wife Victoria, holding two-year-old Layla, and Michael Davies, also a bearer. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Helping people in their time of grief has been handed down through the Smith family for many years.  

“My great-grandfather was an undertaker over 120 years ago,” said Mr Smith proudly. “There have been stories told of him handmaking the coffins for his funeral home.  

“I don't know much about him, however my nan has just given me the bowler hat he used to wear. It’s over 100 years old and is on display in our funeral home today."

Ipswich Star: The treasured bowler hat belonging to Luke's great-grandfather. The treasured bowler hat belonging to Luke's great-grandfather. (Image: Charlotte Bond)Ipswich Star: Luke and his wife Victoria want to help the community give their loved ones the fitting funerals they deserve. Image: Charlotte BondLuke and his wife Victoria want to help the community give their loved ones the fitting funerals they deserve. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)Ipswich Star: Luke said that it was losing his own grandmother which made him want to be a funeral director, for he knows how important compassion and sensitivity are to those who have lost someone. Image: Charlotte BondLuke said that it was losing his own grandmother which made him want to be a funeral director, for he knows how important compassion and sensitivity are to those who have lost someone. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Reverend Andrew Dotchin is the vicar of St John the Baptist and St Edmund’s King and Martyr churches in Felixstowe. 

He said: “It’s too easy for all that is associated with death and dying to be seen as a functional transaction. To have funeral directors like Luke who come in and care for the deceased and those who are bereaved in their moments of extreme crisis and uncertainty is a very great thing."

An open day will be taking place on Saturday, October 21, from 10am to 2pm at 14 Undercliff Road West. 

For more information, click here