Meet The Team

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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.

Meet The Team

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 the founder Thomas Furber Esq, who started the company in 1868.

In 1985, Uncle Tom & Auntie Audrey, as Keith called them, invited Keith to learn the family business here at Thomas Furber & Co.

In 1988, Keith gained the NAFD Diploma in Funeral Directing (DipFD) and later the BIE (British Institute of Embalmers). 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 families.

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.

    
 
 
        
   David Cheung 
 153 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Following the recent passing of our mother, we used Thomas Furber Funeral Directors. Throughout the process they were sensitive, discreet and highly professional.

What particularly stood out was the genuine dignity and care with which they treated my mother. They handled everything as though she were  long-standing family friend to them, rather than simply part of a process. That compassion meant a great deal to us as a family.

Communication was clear throughout, arrangements were handled smoothly, and we always felt reassured that she was being cared for respectfully.

We are sincerely grateful for the kindness and professionalism shown to my mother and to our family during a very difficult time, and would not hesitate to recommend them. Thank you David and team. You are a credit to your profession.
  
 
       
   cruisey 
 261 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can’t thank David, his colleagues at Furbers and the celebrant Elaine for making the arrangement and service of mom’s funeral as smooth and as dignified as possible. I recommend their services highly.
  
 
       
   Julia Shingler 
 267 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thomas Furber provided really good service with organising my aunt’s funeral and giving her the send off she deserved.
  
 
       
   Steven Draper 
 332 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The professionalism is second to none.They are a credit to the whole industry. Took care of my mother recently and handled it with dignity and respect. Walked us through a difficult time and took the worries of the occasion off our shoulders.To everyone at Thomas Furber Thank you.
  
 
       
   D&J 
 415 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you to everyone at Thomas Furber for helping us give our mom Lesley a lovely send off. This has been a very difficult time for us as a family, and arranging her funeral was a very emotional time for my brother and me. The patience, kindness and understanding that was shown from everyone  there really helped us. From our first conversation with Keith who patiently helped us navigate the process and Sue’s kindness to me when I was upset and for David’s support on the day of the funeral, everything we wanted for mom was done.

Thank you again

Jane and David and family x
  
 
       
   Denis Coyne 
 507 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. David and his team were extremely professional and his knowledge is unparalleled. Thank you for all your advice. It proved invaluable.
  
 
       
   Sean McCurry 
 509 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From taking my father from his home to his funeral last week they acted with such professionalism, respect, sensitivity and understanding during what was a very stressful and emotional time for us. They made all the arrangements for the church service, cemetery (including updating the plot deeds), order of service and piper. Thank you from myself and family.
  
 
       
   kylie Arundell 
 566 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thomas Furber , David in particular were excellent from start to finish . They really made a difficult situation more bearable . They were efficient , helpful and made the process so much easier . This was both fir my Dad's funeral 6 years ago and my mum's funeral 2 weeks ago . I would highly recommend them
  
 
       
   T P 
 575 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot express how wonderful wonderful wonderful this firm were. We lost my beloved father. Thomas Furber went above and beyond in caring for him in his death. Sue from TF said good morning and good night to my dad every day. She would go in and sit with him and pass messages on from me when it was too much for us. There were fresh flowers in his little chapel room every day. They were so incredibly kind and patient with us. I said to Sue that if all medical professionals were as competent and caring in their work as she was, then she would be out of a job. Incredible firm, incredible people.
  
 
       
   Paul Cook 
 580 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thomas Furber were outstanding from start to finish. Keith and the team we kind and caring.
The process was very smooth from start to finish

Thank you Keith and team
  
 
 
  
 
 
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