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.
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.
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.


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.

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.

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.

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.
What our clients say










