Declan Stephens takes over Hassan Funeral Service

Respected County Antrim Funeral Director Sean Hassan has sadly announced his retirement recently, handing over the mantle to new proprietor Declan Stephens. Sean Hassan Funeral Services was established in 1972 by Sean and his wife Caroline, situated at 45 Warden Street, Ballymena. The bedrock of Sean’s business has been attention to detail, with a genuine sense of care, professionalism and empathy being afforded to all those who picked up the phone in their time of need. Having a base for what was already a 24 hour service was always important and, in 2001, Hassan Funeral Directors opened a Funeral Home, consisting of a beautiful Chapel of Rest, a coffin showroom, memorial showroom and two viewing rooms. An embalming theatre is also discreetly located at the rear of the premises. The Chapel of Rest itself remains open 365 days a year from 9am to 10pm for those who need it most.

Declan Stephens, proprietor of Hassan Funeral Service, along with the premises

Much as Sean has proudly dedicated himself with love and genuine care to the local community and the industry throughout almost 50 years of service, Declan plans to follow in his footsteps, having trained with and worked alongside Sean. The firm has and will continue to be a full service business, offering help and assistance in everything from organising the ceremony and burial arrangements to choosing hymns and headstones. Sean himself will remain an influential part of the business alongside Declan, working behind the scenes, in an advisory role.

They will continue to operate from their convenient town centre location on Warden Street, now operating under the name Hassan Funeral Services.

We at Funeral Times have had the opportunity to get to know and work with Sean a great deal over the past number of years and can say without doubt that his presence, personality and humour will be sorely missed, not just by ourselves, but by friends and colleagues in the community and the industry. We wish Declan all the very best with his new endeavour and look forward to continuing to work closely with him in the future.

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Paul Wilcox serves 50 years at helm of Wilcox Limousines

CEO Paul Wilcox, of Wilcox Limousines the UK’s leading funeral vehicle coachbuilder is celebrating leading the flagship company for 50 years on 1st January 2020.

Paul started working at the company aged just 14 years during school holidays, his parents founded the business in 1948. However, on 1st January 1970 Paul officially joined the company as a full time employee alongside his older brother Peter Wilcox. Together Peter and Paul ran the company for over 40 years.

Paul Wilcox is now the CEO

Paul and Peter Wilcox with their mum back in the day! with his eldest daughter Jade Webb Wilcox as Managing Director, other family members are nephew Louis Wilcox, Sales Director and daughter Leila Wilcox, International Sales and Marketing.

“There is no doubt that having a brother as a partner has given us an advantage. Today is both a very exciting and yet challenging time, the business in over 70 years of trading has never experienced anything like Brexit before, however due to the launch of the stunning new Jaguar XF range and our ever loyal customer base, business continues to thrive.

I’m looking forward to seeing the next generation of family members including my daughters and nephew take the business to the next level and to see what they achieve in the next 50 years!”

Wilcox Limousines, the UK’s only Jaguar Cars approved convertor is a third generation family business with over 70 years of coachbuilding experience. They have supplemented the Jaguar XJ range with a Jaguar XF based UK hearse and limousine, after the huge success of XF 3 door launch internationally. The new range includes a 5 door Hearse and matching 6 door Limousine which have been designed for the UK Market.

• Memorial Cards • Bookmarks • Wallet Cards (Card/Plastic) • Acknowledgement Card • Order of Service

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