Meet the Staff

As a youngster, due to a family bereavement, Sean decided at the tender age of twelve years old that a life in service to the bereaved families and their loved ones of Carlisle was what he would dedicate his life to.

Sean spent time on the works experience scheme from North Cumbria Technology College, known colloquially as 'Harraby Secondary', whilst aged fifteen years old at two different funeral directing firms in the city. This experience confirmed in Sean's own mind that the career path he would passionately pursue would be that of a Funeral Director.

Upon leaving school in the summer of 2002 whilst aged sixteen years, Sean landed his first job in the funeral profession as a Funeral Service Operative/Coffin Hand. During this time, along with his usual duties of preparing coffins and people's loved ones for viewing and washing vehicles, Sean would accompany the Funeral Directors on their appointments and soon learned the more complex aspects of arranging a funeral.

At seventeen and a half years old Sean became a Funeral Director proper, the youngest ever in the City of Carlisle. Fast forward a few years to the summer of 2017 whilst at the age of 31, Sean, having become disillusioned with the seemingly constant taking over of some of the cities established independent firms by a national conglomerate firm he decided to open his own funeral parlour.

Sean is married and has five children. In his spare time Sean enjoys watching football, particularly following his beloved Middlesbrough Football Club who he has supported since a child. Sean and his eldest son have season tickets and follow 'Boro' home and away!

Sean realised an ambition of many years when, in the autumn of 2024 after over two years of studying he successfully passed the National Association of Funeral Directors 'Level 4 Higher Diploma in Funeral Directing' and therefore formalising his many years of experience with a recognised professional qualification.

Sean said; "Over the years, I have gained an intimate knowledge of my hometown of Carlisle and its residents. I feel the time is right to offer my own small, independent, personal and caring funeral service so I can continue to serve my local community in a role I see not just as a job but as a vocation".

My name is Jason, I am from the Midlands originally but moved to Carlisle almost twenty years ago with my wife Kerry.

We have fifteen year old twins, Ethan and Lily who attend Richard Rose Central Academy. The twins take up most of my spare time with boxing, climbing and camping, but it keeps me active. 

Kerry works at Ullswater School in Penrith where she has been for many years. 

Before reaching my goal to become a Funeral Director, I worked on behalf of H.M. Coroner covering the whole of Cumbria and although this was difficult at times it only solidified my resolve to become a Funeral Director.

In 2011 I had my opportunity being offered a role as a Funeral Director at a firm in the city. When asked why I wanted the position I explained that after losing my first child, Thomas, I had never forgotten the help and guidance I had received from Mike the Funeral Director who had taken care of Thomas’s funeral. He had taken us through the most horrific and heartbreaking time of our lives with such care, compassion and empathy that he still remains a friend to my family, including my children, who never met Thomas. Through this experience I hoped that some day I would be in a position to help families who find themselves in need of the same guidance and support. 

More recently, in 2018, Sean Crilley contacted me asking if I would work for him here. Having worked with him previously and in fact, trained by Sean, I knew his ‘family first’ ethos and genuine pride in his role as a Funeral Director. I said yes immediately. I now feel I have truly found my vocation in life through my position as a Funeral Director.

I was born in Carlisle in 1977. I have two daughters and a step-son.

I am married to Claire who I have known since she was aged 15. Claire is a Healthcare Professional at Brampton Medical Practice. I began my training as a Funeral Director in 1997 at the age of 19 with a local independent firm. I lost my own father when I was aged 23 so I understand the heartache that families endure when losing their loved ones.
 
Eventually I was joined by Sean and Jason and we all worked well together for many years, but were all disillusioned when the firm we worked for was, sadly, taken over by a national company. However, Sean has now invited me to join himself and Jason within his company and I was more than pleased to accept his kind offer.
 
After 27 years experience as a Funeral Director I am delighted to be able to serve the good people of my hometown of Carlisle working for an independent family funeral company once again offering a most personal and caring service to the bereaved clients that call upon us to serve them.