Sullivan and Son Independent Funeral Service

01304 201322

office@sullivanandson.co.uk

About Sullivan & Son

Your local funeral directors

Do you need help arranging a funeral?

We can take care of everything...

We promise to provide the funeral service you want and will provide verbal and written estimates with a complete breakdown of all costs involved.

Please e-mail or call 01304 201322 anytime for an immediate and personal response.

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Why Sullivan & Son?

Your local funeral directors

  • 5* star rating on Google and proud of our many positive reviews
  • Recommended by The Good Funeral Guide
  • Recommended by The Natural Death Centre
  • Extended pledge signatory of The Fair Funerals Pledge
  • Members of The Association of Green Funeral Directors
  • Approved providers of Open Funeral Plans
  • Member of Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors
  • Finance available in association with Funeral Safe

Sullivan & Sons are very proud to have served hundreds of local families and many out of district clients too; promising always a very personal, efficient and best price service.

Association of Green Funeral Directors

Open Funeral Plans

SAIF Independent Funeral Directors
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Meet the team

Paul Sullivan

Proprietor / Funeral Director

In funeral trade since 1992 / Diploma in Funeral Directing 1999

Paul Sullivan

I was born in Ilford, Essex in 1973 and spent my childhood in Swaffham, Norfolk. I came to Canterbury, Kent in 1983 when my father got a teaching headship in Ashford. I attended St Anselms School in Canterbury and it was during my 6th form that my interest in the funeral profession began. WHY everyone asks, I am still not sure! I was attracted to it because of its historic place in society, because of its apparent security and because it was something completely different.

It took nearly a year of perseverance and letters before I was given my chance by an area manager of the then Plantsbrook group (now Dignity) and taken on as an employment trainee through Kent Skills. I was just 19. I started learning the business at John Kemp Funeral Directors in Whitstable and spent my time going all over Kent and the UK on funerals and removals (collection of deceased). I also spent time at F.C. Woods of Ashford and after my first year was taken on as a Trainee Funeral Director based at Woods. I was given my own hearse to look after and again experienced funerals all over south east Kent and beyond.

 
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In 1994 I was offered the position of Funeral Director at Hambrook & Johns in Folkestone along with free company accommodation and I eagerly left home to begin this next challenge. In 1998 I was given the additional responsibility of Hambrook & Johns in Dover and around this time also began studying for my Diploma in Funeral Directing which I passed in 1999.

Shortly after I started to look for a position with an independent firm as working for a large multinational group was not for me. In 2001 I was taken on as Funeral Director/Manager at J. Dilnot Smith & Son, Deal and Woodnesborough (near Sandwich) where I stayed for six years. Always hoping to own and run my own funeral business I seized an opportunity in 2006 and started from scratch a new business named Sullivan & Son Independent Funeral Service at 12 Beaconsfield Road in Dover, which opened on the 31st March 2007. I have two sons, Joshua and Thomas and a daughter Lizelle.
Sullivan & Sons are very proud to have now served hundreds of local families and many out of district clients too; promising always a very personal, efficient and best price service.

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Alex Sullivan

Office Manager

In funeral trade since 2009

Alex Sullivan

I, like Paul, also went to St Anselm’s School in Canterbury and then went on to read English at Kent University. I graduated with an honours degree in 2004 and pursued my interest in cars by working at the Barretts Motor Group in various sales and marketing roles.

In 2009, I joined Paul in a part-time capacity and enjoyed getting to know the industry, as well as helping people at the most difficult of times. As the business has grown, my role has expanded and I now take care of the day-to-day running of the office.

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Colin Meades

Senior Chauffeur / Bearer

NAFD Foundation Course 2011 / In funeral trade since 2012

Colin Meades

I was born in Worcestershire in 1984 with my family relocating to Kent shortly afterwards and have remained in the county ever since. After finishing at Dover College in 2002 I started in the food production industry working at Tilmanstone Salads. After leaving in early 2012 having spent much of my career in a supervisory role I wanted to ind a different occupational outlet. After completing the NAFD Foundation Course in November 2011, I was luckily hired by Paul Sullivan in mid 2012 to work as a part time bearer. Over time I have been offered opportunities for additional responsibilities and am now in the role of senior chauffeur/bearer.

I take great pride in all aspects of my work and am proud to be a member of Paul’s team. His dedication to the families he serves is unsurpassed and his diligence and empathy are reflected in his work ethic and treatment of the families who have lost loved ones.

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Alan Goodall

Chauffeur bearer / Funeral Director / Celebrant

In funeral trade since 2011

Alan Goodall

I was born in Hillingdon in 1953, moving to St Margaret’s at Cliffe in 1973. My working life has been divided between Dover District Council and HM Customs and Excise ,while dedicating my free time to Scouting.

Following my retirement in 2011 I became involved in the funeral business, initially helping my wife in the same role. I soon realised this was a vocation I should have taken on board much earlier in my life as gives meaning and a sense of satisfaction in supporting others.

I have been working with Paul since 2012 but during the past year have taken on more work bearing, limousine chauffeuring, and Funeral Directing. I also help families by taking burial and cremation services, co-ordinating the thoughts and memories of the family into a reflective, non-religious ceremony suiting the individual needs.

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What our clients say

Sullivan & Son Independent Funeral Service
Sullivan & Son Independent Funeral Service
5.0
Based on 26 reviews
powered by Google
Mark Popple
Mark Popple
16:12 10 Nov 19
Paul & his team looked after my grandmother. From start to finish the service and professionalism he gave us was simply... outstanding. We thank you sincerely. A very caring business. Thanks Mark.read more
hollie jenkins
hollie jenkins
16:59 30 Oct 19
Top funeral place. When my grandad john died they listened to what my nan and the family wanted. They went above and... beyond and went the extra mile even after the funeral! My nan recieved a little card with my grandads name on and stone. I would highyly recomend them to anyone! Thank you sullivan & son!read more
Jan Baker
Jan Baker
13:20 01 Jul 19
I can't recommend these guys enough, Paul and his team were really understanding and helpful. I have used other funeral... directors, based in Deal before and the service received was very different. If I am unfortunate enough to need the service again I would not think twice about going to them. Highly recommend. Thank you to Paul and team you made a difficult day more tolerable.read more
Peter Baynton-Power
Peter Baynton-Power
12:42 21 May 19
We were recommended to Sullivan and Son by a relative and we are so pleased we went to Paul when my mum passed away. He... was very helpful, explained everything and ensured all went very smoothly. A big thank you to all at Sullivan and Son for the care and service you provideread more
shaun reardon
shaun reardon
10:45 06 Mar 19
Sullivan and Son are the gold standard in funeral directors. Through a family contact I contacted Paul to arrange the... funeral of my mother. From the first contact he was courteous, compassionate and very efficient. I live abroad so could not attend his office personally but this made no difference as everything went perfectly. They even acted as liaison for the various organisations that my mother belonged to in arranging uniformed representatives from the Scouts, the RAF and the British Legion. Alan was the funeral director on the day and I could not have asked for a more friendly and professional service. He and his team were immaculately turned out as were the vehicles. They effortlessly accommodated last minute changes such as when my son and I wanted to be part of the bearer party at the church and also at the crematorium. Nothing was too much trouble and it just worked. Words alone cannot express my thanks and I highly recommend them.read more
Jenny Simmons
Jenny Simmons
17:54 05 Nov 18
I have known Paul Sullivan and his staff for about 7 years, from when I worked at Hawkinge Crematorium. My Father... passed away on the 26th August 2018 and I cannot thank them enough, for the kind way they looked after Myself and my family. I knew Dad was in the most capable hands and was well cared for. We took out a Prepaid Funeral Plan, so the sad business of arranging the Funeral, had already taken place. I would highly recommend Paul and his staff; Julie, Alex and Colin. Lovely Caring and always on the end of the phone if needed. A lovely gesture a courtesy phone call, a couple of weeks after the Funeral, to check how I was coping.read more
Sean -Private- Hale
Sean -Private- Hale
18:22 04 Sep 18
Highly recommended, Julie and the team were excellent
Richard Leveson
Richard Leveson
20:52 21 Mar 18
I have known of Sullivan and Son for over ten years and they were the unquestionable choice to conduct my mother's... funeral in January 2018 when she died aged 101. I had one meeting with Alex Sullivan to set things in motion and was most impressed with his unpretentious and efficient handling of all the necessary details. Alex and Paul Sullivan (who officiated at the funeral) are warm, compassionate, obliging and, quite simply, very likable personalities. I could not have been more satisfied with their service.read more
John Heather
John Heather
11:08 17 Feb 18
Paul and the team were awesome in how they handled my sisters funeral. They were kind,attentive and highly professional... in all their dealings with my entire family. Au unexpected death is always going to be difficult - the cremation most of all,but Paul helped us through the whole event with calm and good humour - nothing was too much trouble Thank you once again Paul and team - I cannot recommend this service too highlyread more
Peter Smith
Peter Smith
11:52 08 Feb 18
My father sadly passed away in December, and his funeral took place in January. From start to finish Paul and his team... at Sullivan & son were absolutely fantastic. Hugely empathic and professional. Understanding of your situation and willingness to help is always at the forefront in order to get what you want for your loved ones final journey. I would most definitely recommend there services to anybody.read more
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Sullivan & Son

We are a family owned and run funeral service covering ALL of Kent and beyond. Including Dover, Deal, Sandwich, Aylesham, Folkestone, Hawkinge, Hythe, New Romney, Ashford, Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Thanet, Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate and everywhere in between. Providing funeral services since 2007 the proprietor, Paul, has been in the profession since 1992.

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Address

  • 12 Beaconsfield Road Dover
  • Kent, England, CT16 2LL
  • Tel: 01304 201322
  • Email: office@sullivanandson.co.uk

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