With a history spanning more than 100 years and a strong family ethos, funeral directors A.J. Wakely & Sons is truly embedded in Bridport and the local community.

And championing our local, independent businesses is one of the things we do best at Bridport Nub News, so we have partnered with the funeral directors and it will be part of our Obituaries page.

From humble beginnings in Beaminster, A.J. Wakely can be found in Dorset, Devon and Somerset.

Simon Wakely said: "My grandfather was a builder and undertaker in Beaminster, when father, David, came to the business, they moved to Bridport by taking on Northover and Gilbert [removals company and funeral directors] in the early 1960s."

Jack and his son, David, expanded the business to Lyme Regis and Crewkerne before opening in Chard, Ilminster and Yeovil. Simon's uncle, Clive, joined the team, which led to further expansion.

Simon and Clive have worked together on the opening of Sherborne, Sidmouth, Axminster and Wincanton, and quite recently South Petherton.

Simon said: "We embrace all the traditional aspects of funerals and we embrace all the new ideas, such as direct to the cremation, that go along with funerals now and the changes that have taken place.

"People want to celebrate life and I think that's how things have changed; they want to celebrate life as much as mourn a life.

"When someone walks through the door, they tell us what they want and we're here to accommodate everything they want, but give good advice and support to make it happen in the best way it can for them."

Simon highlights that many things have changed in regards to funerals since he became a funeral director.

"I have been in the business now for 27 years and I have seen a huge change from when I first came in," he added.

"People seem more open to talk about funerals and prepayment. I think in the last 10 to 15 years, one of the biggest changes I have seen in this industry is prepayment. People want to talk about their funeral and plan it, and in some cases pay for it.

"I can see the benefits to families. If you've given your family that guidance about what you want for a funeral it can help them in decision making. Many don't want their family to worry about paying for the funeral - it is obviously a difficult time for families, whether they plan ahead or not, we are here to help.

"If there was one message I could send out to anyone planning a funeral, I would always recommend them going to see their local funeral director to get it done properly."

Just as the business is a big part of the community, A.J. Wakely makes sure it supports the town's groups, charities and fundraisers.

Simon said: "We give sponsorship for rugby clubs, golf clubs, bowls clubs, churches and numerous fetes, raffles and local open days for care homes."

The team also supports local businesses, using Creeds to print service sheets and the local florists in the Bridport area.

As well as this Simon is part of many groups and involved in a lot of sports, including hockey, cricket, squash and golf. He was a member of Bridport Round Table for 25 years, which helped deliver food parcels to families in Bridport last Christmas - which A.J. Wakely also supported - and is a trustee of St Mary's Church House Hall.

He has also recently signed up to be a volunteer pilot for the Cycling Without Age Bridport trishaw project.

To find out more about A. J. Wakely, visit ajwakely.com

You can find the latest local obituaries on the Bridport Nub News Obituaries page.