Bungard Funeral Directors

12/06/2026

As our Charity of the Year partnership with Impact Initiatives comes to an end, we would like to thank the team for allowing us to support the incredible work they do across our local community.

It has been a pleasure working alongside such a dedicated organisation and helping to raise awareness and funds for the vital services they provide. We are proud of what we have achieved together and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact they make in the future.

Thank you, Impact Initiatives, for a fantastic partnership.
Impact Initiatives https://impact-initiatives.org.uk/

08/06/2026

A few weeks ago we were celebrating being finalists at The Small Awards. This week, that journey took Richard to No. 11 Downing Street.

It was a real privilege to attend a reception celebrating the contribution that small businesses make to communities across the UK.

As a fifth-generation family business serving Brighton & Hove since 1906, moments like this are a reminder that small businesses matter. They support local people, create jobs, preserve traditions and help strengthen communities.

The event also reinforced something we feel strongly about: funeral directors have an important role beyond arranging funerals. We can educate, support and guide families and professionals through conversations that many people find difficult to have.

Through Bungard Aftercare, our Lights of Love Remembrance Service, community events and educational work, we aim to support and inform families long before and long after a funeral takes place.

Alongside our work with bereaved families, we have developed funeral awareness training that has been delivered to organisations including Martlets Hospice and local care homes. We have also created an online version of the programme, with the ambition of making this support available to care homes more widely in the future.

Whether through training, Aftercare, remembrance events, community talks or the conversations we have every day, we believe informed communities are better supported communities.

It was inspiring to meet so many incredible business owners from across the country and to hear their stories. Being invited to represent Bungard Funeral Directors, Brighton & Hove and the wider funeral profession at such a prestigious event was an honour.

Thank you to Small Business Britain, The Small Awards and HM Treasury for such a memorable evening.

And thank you to the families and community who have supported our family business for almost 120 years. We wouldn't have been there without you. 💚

03/06/2026

We had the most wonderful time at The Small Awards 2026!

Richard has only just got around to posting this as he disappeared straight into half-term family duties after the event.

Although we didn't win the Legacy Award this year, we were incredibly proud to be shortlisted amongst some truly outstanding family businesses from across the UK.

Huge congratulations to Hoe Grange Holidays, worthy winners of the Legacy Award, and to all the other fantastic businesses recognised on the night.

The food was excellent, the London Gay Men's Chorus were absolutely brilliant, and the company at our table was even better. A special thank you to Lee Wakeham from HM Pasties, Abbey Booth from Stories With Clothes, and Jess and Mike from Edis Media for making the evening so memorable.

It was especially exciting to share a table with Lee from HMPasties Ltd, who went on to win both the Heart of Gold Award and the overall Small Business of the Year Award. Sitting alongside such an inspiring business felt like a win in itself.

Most of all, the evening was a reminder of just how important small businesses are to their communities and how much can be achieved with passion, hard work and a little bit of courage.

Thank you to The Small Awards and Small Business Britain for a fantastic evening, and thank you to everyone who has supported Bungard Funeral Directors on our journey.

We had the best time. 💚

08/05/2026

We are incredibly proud to see our story featured by The Small Awards.

Being shortlisted for the Legacy Award means a great deal to us as a fifth-generation family business that has served Brighton & Hove since 1906. Over nearly 120 years, our focus has always been on providing the very highest standard of care, supporting families with compassion, dignity and personal attention.

Thank you to The Small Awards and Small Business Britain for recognising the values that continue to guide our family and team today. Most importantly, thank you to the families and community who have trusted and supported us across generations.

We are delighted to share a bit more of the story behind ‘Legacy’ award shortlisted family business Bungard Funeral Directors.

Bungard Funeral Directors has served Brighton & Hove continuously since 1906 and is proud to be one of the city’s oldest independent, family-run businesses.

As a family, they have made deliberate decisions to protect standards rather than pursue growth. One such decision was selling the stonemason’s yard on Old Shoreham Road so they could focus entirely on delivering first-class funeral care.

They would rather be the best funeral directors than the biggest. This philosophy led directly to the creation of Bungard Aftercare, now in its twelfth year, ensuring families continue to feel supported long after the funeral.

Image description: Richard Whittle from Bungard & Sons pictured in a dark suit and striped tie.

01/05/2026

You may start to see this film being shared by independent funeral directors across the country, including us here at Bungard Funeral Directors in Brighton & Hove.

We’re proud members of the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), and this forms part of their national Handled With Care campaign.

It focuses on something more and more families are being presented with — direct cremation, often arranged online, and often without any service or anyone present.

For some, that level of simplicity feels right. But what we see, time and again, is that people don’t always fully understand what that choice means in reality — or that there are ways to keep things simple without losing support, guidance, or the opportunity to mark a life in a meaningful way.

This campaign is about giving people a clearer, more honest picture before they make that decision — and making sure they know there’s a local, experienced team here in Brighton & Hove they can speak to directly, not a call centre, if they want to talk things through.

Because having guidance, and having the chance to come together — whether to grieve, reflect, or celebrate a life — often matters far more than people expect.

28/04/2026

We were incredibly proud to be part of a very special celebration on the 18th April. 💛

Our wonderful colleague Zoe married her partner Paul after 35 years together — proving that some love stories don’t need rushing… just the right moment.

Following their intimate registrar ceremony with Diana Harvey, Saturday was a chance to celebrate with family and friends at The Harbour Club — and we were honoured that Richard was asked to lead the ceremony as celebrant. A role he was deeply proud to take on for someone he has worked alongside and supported for many years.

It was a day full of laughter, love, and reflection — everything a meaningful ceremony should be.

We were also delighted to celebrate together as a team, alongside Richard and his wife Amie, Ben and his wife Layla, and Lisa and May from LJ's flower shack, who have been long-standing friends of ours.

A truly special occasion, and one we feel very lucky to have shared.

Congratulations Zoe & Paul 💍

27/04/2026

We had a lovely start to the weekend at The Drive Bowls Club. Richard and Zoe were invited to help open the Summer Season with the first ‘roll out’, joining the President and members for lunch before heading down to their all‑weather rink — a real hidden gem in the heart of Hove.

Richard’s first roll out went slightly better than Zoe’s 😂 but after a few practice shots we both ‘got our eye in’ and had a brilliant afternoon with the members. We can genuinely recommend giving it a go!

Bungards have proudly sponsored The Drive Bowls Club since 2019, and it’s always a pleasure to support a space that brings people together. If you’ve ever thought about trying bowls, they run relaxed, free taster sessions every Sunday morning from 10.30 to 12. No booking needed — just turn up and you’ll be warmly welcomed.

https://thedrivebowlingclub.co.uk/

The Drive Bowling Club

21/04/2026

We are incredibly proud to share that Bungard Funeral Directors has been shortlisted for the Legacy Award at The Small Awards 2026.

Now in its tenth year, The Small Awards is a nationwide search for the UK’s greatest small businesses, organised by Small Business Britain, celebrating the vital role small firms play in their communities and the wider economy.

As a fifth-generation, family-run business serving Brighton & Hove since 1906, this recognition reflects the dedication of our family – Richard, Amie and James Whittle – supported by our valued colleagues Ben Day and Zoe Walker.

The Legacy Award recognises the unique strengths and challenges of family businesses, celebrating those that demonstrate strong family involvement alongside long-term business success.

For nearly 120 years, we have remained independent and focused on providing the highest standard of care rather than being the biggest. This has led to important family decisions – from focusing entirely on funeral directing to introducing Bungard Aftercare, which has now supported families for over 12 years.

Our commitment extends beyond the funeral itself through our annual Lights of Love Remembrance Service, quarterly coffee mornings, and ongoing support within our community.

Thank you to all the families who have trusted us and to our local community for your continued support. We are honoured to be recognised alongside so many inspiring small businesses and look forward to celebrating in May.

08/04/2026

From a traditional funeral to a no-fuss direct cremation, plan the funeral you want with a pre-paid Golden Charter funeral plan.
When you take care of your funeral, you’re taking care of your family too.
Here at Bungards we’re proud to partner with Golden Charter.
If you’d like to find out more please get in touch.

23/03/2026

Wishing all our followers a very Happy Monday!