Long-serving Coseley funeral director nominated for national ‘Oscar’

A Coseley funeral director who has helped hundreds of families in the area during their most difficult times has been shortlisted for a national award in the undertaker world’s equivalent of the Oscars.

Coseley funeral director Yvonne Harper who has been nominated for a national Good Funeral Award.

Yvonne Harper, who works for Halliwell funeral service, has received an individual nomination in the Good Funeral Awards 2017, with the winners to be announced at a glittering ceremony in London on September 7.

The annual event is described as being a bridge between the general public and the much misunderstood funeral industry. Past winners have gone on to appear in the national media to dispel some of the myths surrounding what happens when we die.

Other nominees this year include a female gravedigger, a ‘soul midwife’ and the founder of the Oxford ‘Kicking the Bucket’ festival.

Amanda Woodward, general manager of Halliwell funeral service, said: “We’re delighted that Yvonne has been nominated for an individual award. It’s a huge achievement for her. Not only is she a highly professional funeral director with over 15 years of experience, she is also a very caring and sympathetic person.”

The funeral branch is part of Tamworth Co-operative Society which has also been nominated in the awards for the Best Death Related Public Engagement Event.