About Us
Arranging services for people of all
faights and beliefs
What Makes a
William & Son Funeral?
150 Years of Funerals
We arrange services for people of all faiths and beliefs, including secular ceremonies. We treat all clients with respect and care by delivering the very highest standards. Celebrating over 150 Years of Funerals.
Local community service
The Scott Family have been serving the local community for five generations. The original funeral business was founded in 1869. Over the following 150 years, they developed their reputation for providing a high quality service at reasonable cost. One of a very few families left from the Victorian era that still have family members actively involved in the funeral profession.
Traditional Values - Modern Service
Ours is a very traditional profession, with many elements emanating from the Victorian era. William & Son embraces the best of these, and combines them with modern facilities to give its clients the very best experience in the difficult circumstances they face when they lose a loved member of their family.
The Scott Family
A family tradition of excellence since 1869
The Scott Family have been serving the local community for five generations. The original funeral business was founded in 1869. Over the following 150 years, they developed their reputation for providing a high quality service at reasonable cost. One of a very few families left from the Victorian era that still have family members actively involved in the funeral profession.
Bill Scott Jnr
Over 40 years dedicated service to the community
Bill began his career in the family business in 1981, learning from his father and grandfather the importance of compassion and respect. With over 40 years of service, he has a wealth of personal experience and is highly respected as a profficient funeral director. Today, Bill continues in partnership with his brother, upholding the family tradition of putting families first and providing them meaningful, memorable tributes through the funerals he organises and conducts.
Our Story
A Family Tradition Since 1869
We are an independent family business, with roots going back to the late 1800’s, and an unbroken lineage to the present day. One family. One mission. Each generation succeeding the last with an unerring commitment to serve our local communities with a caring service, of high quality, at an affordable price.
Our story started in 1869, when my great-great-grandfather, William Henry Scott, founded Birmingham Reform Undertakers. He took compassion on grieving families who were being impoverished by the cost of the elaborate funerals of the Victorian era. That period was characterised by the embellishment of everything, and funerals were no exception. Victorians put a great deal of importance on their funeral rituals, and there was significant social pressure to provide their dead with the most elaborate send-off possible, so it was not unusual for bereaved families to put themselves deep into debt to meet the cost of these ever grander events. For poorer families, this often meant going without the necessities for daily living - even food - just so money could be put aside in preparation for a death, or paid into the local burial fund. This was a constant struggle for them, but one they endured so they wouldn’t have to suffer the indignity of a pauper’s funeral, which carried a great stigma in Victorian society.
Birmingham Reform Undertakers provided the respectful, inexpensive option that was otherwise missing. They focused on the necessary elements of a funeral, and on doing them well, so that the less affluent families in their community could bury their departed with dignity, without taking on a large debt.
Starting out in Monument Road, Ladywood, Birmingham, our founder was later joined by his son. His son had the same name, and the business name then changed to reflect their father & son partnership. The firstborn son in each generation since has been given his father’s name and followed him into the family business. Each one carrying forward the company’s commitment to the values of the founder.
The company’s reputation grew over the years, and the business expanded, opening premises in Edgbaston and Handsworth - and then later, with the acquisition of W. J. Gane & Sons, in the 1970’s, to Weoley Castle and Quinton. As the city changed, so did the location and number of branches. Not all survived, but the business continues on to this day, though no longer in family ownership.
Nevertheless, the values held dear by my forebears are now embraced once more in a new business, at premises in Quinton - very near our former branch office. This new family venture has been named in recognition of our 158-year line of succession. Here, we will continue the family tradition for which we are renown, and look forward to serving those who put their trust in us.
An Elegant Farewell
Tailored to your particular need
The service you will receive from William & Son is fully bespoke, tailored to your particular needs, wishes and budget – a service that reflects the individual character of the deceased, and honours their memory.
We understand the importance of making sure everything is just right, and equally understand how to add the finer details and subtlety required to provide an elegant service that you can be proud of and can look back on fondly in time to come.
Compassionate care
Our role is to serve you
From your first call to us – whether during working hours, or when requesting our 24-hour call-out service – you will receive compassionate care and competent guidance. We are here to serve you and make a difficult time a little easier to bear.
Our experience covers a broad range of funeral styles, as well as different religious and cultural traditions, so we are able to advise on many aspects of funeral related matters.