Meet The Team
A Compassionate Team Here For You
At Thomas Furber & Co., we are a small and dedicated team of funeral professionals with over 100 years of service to families in Birmingham between us.
We love what we do. It’s a true honour to be trusted to help families during this difficult time, and something we never take lightly.
Keith Barron, Director
Today, Thomas Furber & Co. is led by Keith Barron. It’s Keith’s family business, as Keith is cousin to Thomas Leonard Furber, great-grandson of founder Thomas Furber Esq who started the company in 1868.
Having been born into an Army family (Keith’s Dad was in the REME), he spent his younger life in several different places in Germany, including Hanover, Fallingbostel, Berlin, Dortmund, Bielefeld, and Gutersloh.
At times the family was closer to home in Somerset and Yorkshire and then finally Aldershot, before Keith moved to Birmingham in 1985.
It’s then that Keith started learning the family business here at Thomas Furber & Co., which was owned by his aunt and uncle, Audrey & Tom.
In 1988, Keith gained the NAFD Diploma in Funeral Directing (DipFD) and later the BIE (British Institute of Embalmers), and, in 2013, Keith became a Director of the business.
Today, Keith runs the business, leading the team and ensuring all families get the best service from Thomas Furber & Co. For Keith, it’s important to stay close to the heart of the business, helping families and directing funerals.
Much has changed about this business over the years, except one thing– it’s all about the people.
Outside of work, Keith enjoys spending time with his family and has a passion for photography, music, and motorcycling.
David Yardley, Manager
Dave’s journey in the funeral industry started in 1985 after a successful career as a painter and decorator.
After a short period working for a national funeral chain, Dave joined Thomas Furber & Co. in 1989, and has been with us ever since.
He passed his funeral directors’ Diploma soon afterwards in 1990.
Forty years of arranging and conducting funerals – sometimes for family and friends of his own – has given Dave a wealth of experience. “My aim is to give every family the highest level of care and attention to detail for their loved ones”.
Away from work, Dave is a Villa fan and also loves snooker and golf.
Sue Yardley, Office Manager
Sue spent the first 20 years of her working life in accounting and still relies on that experience today.
She moved into the funeral profession in 2000 and has been happy to be a part of the Furbers team since 2006. She says, “I get a great deal of satisfaction from what I do at Thomas Furber & Co.”
Sue is married to David, and they have four children and five grandchildren between them. In her spare time, Sue supports her beloved West Bromwich Albion, listening to music and being outdoors in the garden or walking.
Our Dedicated Support Team
Keith, Dave, and Sue are the people you are most likely to meet whilst arranging a funeral for your loved one.
We also have a dedicated and trusted support team: Frank, Keith, Scott, and Steve. They take care of your loved ones until the day of the funeral, collecting them and bringing them into our care at the funeral home.
They will help to prepare the deceased for you chapel visits and the day of the funeral.
The team also cares for and maintains our funeral vehicles fleet and are drivers and pallbearers.
They have all worked for Thomas Furber & Co. for many years and play an essential role in our service to families.
What Our Clients Say About Us
We’re very honoured that our clients choose to give us feedback about the service they received. We receive many thank you cards, which we proudly display in our funeral home. You can also read the online reviews our clients have written about us on Google.
Let Us Help You
We are here to help you in every way we can. Please call or email us with any questions.
For urgent assistance, call us on 0121 427 2233. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.