18/05/2026
Staff Appreciation Post – Rob Evans 💙
Rob Evans has dedicated more than 32 years to the funeral profession, beginning his career in the industry at just 26 years old.
Seeing a hearse pass by as a young man sparked his interest, although he always assumed it would be difficult to enter the profession as many funeral businesses were family run. In 1994, Rob discovered Bedwardine Funeral Services and approached the Chamber of Commerce to ask if there were any training opportunities available; after a lot of negotiating Rob was finally able to get the funding he required that allowed him to begin his training. And the rest is history!
Rob believes in old fashioned values and traditions which were instilled in him by a true gentleman of the profession, the late Rupert Patrick, of Kempsey, who guided Rob on his journey to become the very much - loved and highly respected Funeral Director he is today. 🎩
From the very beginning, he immersed himself in every aspect of the role including the upkeep of the company vehicles and fitting out coffins with furnishings before progressing onto attending callouts and ultimately caring for the deceased.
Now serving as Funeral Services Director and Manager, Rob reflects proudly on his journey and says he has never regretted entering the profession. Although he had opportunities to move elsewhere during his career, his huge passion for the role and the close-knit community of St John’s and Worcester kept him at Bedwardine Funeral Services where he earned his stripes as a professional funeral director, arranging and conducting services with the compassion and care that remain a priority today.
Originally from Birmingham before later moving to Stourport, Rob now firmly considers the area his home after 3 and a half decades.
When asked what he finds most rewarding about the role, Rob describes it as:
“An honour and a privilege to look after families at their most vulnerable time of need, and also to look after their loved ones with the upmost love and care before they go on their final journey.”
He takes immense pride in caring for the local community, supporting families across Worcester and its surrounding villages. It is Rob’s aim to preserve the rich history and highly held reputation of the funeral home that he has dedicated, with passion, to his career.
For Rob, knowing he has done a good job comes from the heartfelt thank you cards, recommendations and kind words his clients share afterwards. Rob is very humbled when familiar faces return time and again. This enables him to proudly look after generations of the same families.
Behind the scenes Rob ensures each funeral is tailored to every individual wish for his client’s loved ones. He approaches every person in his care with dignity and the highest respect throughout the entire process. With the deepest sincerity Rob will care for your loved one, treating them as though they are a member of his own family,
Despite more than three decades in the profession, Rob admits some aspects never become easier. Funerals for younger people still affect him deeply, especially as a father of two.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rob experienced devastating personal loss, losing his mum, auntie and uncle within the space of three months, which understandably hit him extremely hard and gave him even deeper empathy to relate to so many people he cares for.
Rob remains professional throughout the day, but when he returns home for quiet reflection the emotion often overwhelms him: “After all this time, it can still hit you like a sledgehammer.”
For Rob, coping means staying strong, he likens this to a “safety net” that the families seek during their darkest moments. Sometimes they simply need someone to listen, and often, amidst the sadness, happy memories and even laughter can help ease the process:
“People often say they didn’t expect to laugh in a funeral parlour,” comments Rob.
He believes in treating every family with honesty, integrity and transparency, values he was taught from the very beginning of his career and ones he continues to instil in his team today.
Throughout his time at Bedwardine, Rob has always gone the extra mile for families. Before picture coffins became available, he was known to hand-paint coffins himself, creating something truly personal and meaningful for the families.
When asked what advice he would give someone entering the profession, Rob says:
“Do it for the right reasons, it’s all about the families.
In his free time, Rob enjoys walking, travelling, live music, collecting memorabilia and he has a keen interest in the paranormal and ufology. As part of his own spiritual journey, he enjoys Reiki and breath work to keep him grounded.
Family remains at the heart of everything he does, and he strongly welcomes increasing regulation and standards within the funeral profession. This allows Rob and his team to provide families across the city with the highest standard of service.
Thank you, Rob, for your decades of dedication, compassion and unwavering support for families and the wider community at Bedwardine Funeral Services in St Johns and across Worcester. 🎩🕊
