A FUNERAL directors going for four generations opened their third premises in Highworth this week.

Hillier’s have been providing funeral services in Swindon since 1923 and have transformed a former garage on Lechlade Road, in Highworth, which turned out to be the ideal site to continue the family tradition.

Becky Hillier explained to the Adver: “It was very difficult to find a property which would meet our requirements.”

“It’s especially important for a funeral directors to have everything on the same level for wheeling the coffins around.

“The building was derelict. It had been used as a warehouse for quite a few years. It was just four walls when we bought it, it had to have a new roof and build all the interior walls.

“So we’ve managed to do it up exactly as we wanted it so that’s why this one just perfect.”

The new site has two chapels for services, a counselling room which offers free sessions for families, an onsite caretaker, and a garage to keep the herse and limousine.

“We’ve just tried to make it very homely and inviting,” added Becky.

“It is a stressful time so people want to come into a calming environment and I think that’s what we’ve delivered with this.”

The directors also spoke about the changing nature of services that families request.

“Funerals have become very personalised in the last few years so every funeral is different and people will request anything,” said Becky. “You’ll deal with funerals for car enthusiasts and musicians

“We still do quite a few funerals in church but more people are going towards having non-religious ceremonies. People have the freedom to have whatever they want.

“For us it’s about supporting the families through the process to help them arrange the funeral and to provide advice. It’s a very rewarding job, it’s a sad job at times.

“People have the funeral to be a celebration of someone’s life and that family will come will come in with all sorts of ideas to remember their loved one.”

The funeral directors is currently holding open days to help people see the new premises and its facilities which runs from 9 – 5 until this Saturday.