Austin's Funeral Directors
Whenever you need us we are there 24 hours a day 7 days a week
Buntingford
01763 274111
Harpenden
01582 762570
Harwood Park
01438 812515
Hertford
01992 582052
Hitchin
01462 438422
Hoddesdon
01992 471709
Knebworth
01438 812365
Letchworth
Stevenage
01438 316623
Stotfold Chapel
01438 794420
Ware
01920 468551
Welwyn
01438 714686
WGC
01707 390018
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- Buntingford
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Our History
Austin’s has a long, proud heritage and is one of the oldest family-run Funeral Directors and Funeral Homes in the UK.
W. Austin and Sons Limited was originally established in 1700 in Graveley, a small village between Stevenage and Hitchin, in Hertfordshire. The firm then traded as Builders and Undertakers. It was traditional and common place as builders, of course, possessed all the necessary skills and manpower. Carpenters for making coffins, labourers for grave digging, generally suitable premises and a workforce who could double as pallbearers.
In about 1800 the Company moved to premises in Letchmore Road, Old Stevenage. Here family members resided adjacent to the builders yard and funerals were arranged and carried out from here. The Austin Family continued to be prolific builders in the area for the following 150 years or more. Many of the residential streets in Old Stevenage where constructed by the family.
In the 1950’s and early 1960’s the business was owned and run by William ‘Bill’ Austin and his two cousins Reg and Hubby. 1964 saw Reg and Hubby fast approaching retirement and the untimely death of Bill, my Grandfather, in the October. This, of course, meant there would be great changes ahead in the business.
Consequently, in January 1965, John (my Father), who until then had been following his own career, took on the role of running the family firm. It was soon evident to him that the way for this business to survive and prosper was to acquire ownership of the business from his father’s cousins. It was from this point that John Austin embarked on his journey to develop and build this long established and well respected family firm. His aim to provide a very personal and quality service to the local community.
The building and funeral directing businesses continued to operate in tandem from the original premises in Letchmore Road. Austin’s built many individual homes in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. However, in 1978, John decided that there was a greater future in the funeral business and so the building side of the company was sold. Although the builders yard area of the premises in Letchmore Road was disposed of, the remainder was retained for the operation of Austin’s Funeral Service. Indeed, today, although the buildings have been modernised and extended it continues to be the Head Office and operation centre for Austin’s Funeral Service.
Stevenage having been developed as the first New Town in 1947 it was, to some extent, inevitable that the funeral business would continue to grow.
1970
New funeral arrangement office opens
New Funeral Arrangement Office opens in The Forum, Stevenage Town Centre.
May 1982
New funeral arrangement office opens
Funeral Arrangement Office opens at The Grange on The Bowling Green, Old Stevenage.
1983
Funeral plan is introduced
Austin’s Select Pre-payment Funeral Plan is introduced.
1984
The Forum office closes
The Forum office closes with staff relocated to Letchmore Road.
1984
John’s son joins the team
David Austin, John’s son joined Austin’s.
1987
Austin’s acquires Geo. W. Blow
The Company acquires another long established family firm in Welwyn, Geo W. Blow
1991
The Grange Arrangement Office closes.
The Grange Arrangement Office closes. Letchmore Road is extended to accommodate relocated staff.
September 1994
Hitchin office opens
Austin’s of Hitchin opens in Bancroft, Hitchin.
February 1997
Harwood Park Crematorium opens
Harwood Park Crematorium, designed and built by the Austin Family, opens in Watton Road, Stevenage.
November 1997
Austin’s acquires Alfred Scales
Austin’s acquires Alfred Scales Funeral Directors in Hertford and Buntingford and Francis Mander Stonemasons.
April 1998
Claire Austin joins the team
Claire Austin (10th Generation) joins Harwood Park as Assistant Manager.
April 1999
Hertfordshire Funeral Plan
The Select Funeral Plan becomes The Hertfordshire Funeral Plan.
Year 2000
300 years of service
Austin’s celebrates 300 years of service to the community.
January 2001
John Austin retires
John Austin retires. Claire Austin takes on the role of Managing Director.
February 2001
Geo. W. Blow is renamed to Austin’s
The trading name of Geo. W. Blow is changed to Austin’s to reflect its ownership. This coincides with the relocation of the Arrangement Office to 16, High Street, Welwyn.
April 2001
Peter Hope becomes manager
Peter Hope (Claire’s husband) becomes Manager and Registrar of Harwood Park Crematorium.
April 2001
Alfred Scales is renamed to Austin's
The trading name of Alfred Scales in Hertford and Buntingford is changed to Austin’s to reflect its ownership.
June 2001
Francis Mander Memorials relocates
Francis Mander Memorials relocates to Church Street, Welwyn.
June 2003
Austin’s of WGC opens
Austin’s of Welwyn Garden City opens in Wigmores North, Welwyn Garden City.
April 2004
Francis Mander is renamed to Austin's
The trading name of Francis Mander Memorials is changed to Austin’s Memorials to reflect its ownership.
September 2004
Stevenage arrangement office relocated
The Arrangement office for Austin’s of Stevenage is relocated from Letchmore Road to 21, High Street.
March 2006
Austin’s Knebworth office opens
Austin’s opens in London Road, Knebworth.
April 2007
Hertford relocates its arrangement office
Austin’s of Hertford relocates its arrangement office from Church Street to 12 Millbridge, Hertford.
April 2009
Austin’s Ware office opens
Austin’s of Ware opens at 32, High Street, Ware.
October 2011
Major extension to Harwood Park Crematorium
Major extension to Harwood Park Crematorium and Memorial Garden to provide additional meeting room for bereaved families, extra office space and a Coffee Lounge for families and mourners attending funeral services and the gardens.
2011 and 2012
Austin’s win thirteen awards
Austin’s win thirteen regional and national business awards
September 2012
Austin’s take over the lease of Stotfold Cemetery Chapel
Austin’s take over the lease of Stotfold Cemetery Chapel and carries out complete refurbishment in order that it can, once again, be used by the local community
March 2013
New website launched
Austin’s new website launched
August 2013
Austin’s of Hitchin relocates
Austin’s of Hitchin relocates from Bancroft to larger premises in Hermitage Road
May 2016
Austin’s of Letchworth opens
Austin’s of Letchworth opens in Leys Avenue
April 2021
Austin’s of Hoddesdon opens
Austin’s of Hoddesdon opens in at 77 High Street, Hoddesdon
April 2022
Austin’s of Harpenden opens
Austin’s of Harpenden opens in at 53/55 High Street, Harpenden
Whenever you need us we are there
If a loved one has passed, please call your nearest funeral office for help, support & advice, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
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