Mark Skinner Funeral Service (MSFS) is a truly independent family business, serving the local community for over 45 years.
Mark started in the funeral business at just 13, sweeping the floors for the well-known funeral director in Brandon, Harvey Adam – purchasing the business from Harvey when Mark was 23. Mark’s grandfather had been a funeral director in Brandon from the 1920s, but with none of his children taking over, it was a proud day for Mark’s family when he went into the funeral business – it must have been in his blood!
MSFS has always been about family. Mark’s Mum Crystal took the phones at night for him until a month before she died at 85, his wife Laine joined him 25 years ago and they worked together to expand the business from Brandon into Thetford – which has now been established for 25 years – and in recent years an office in Lakenheath. Mark’s in-laws both worked in the business and then when his children, Sam and Lauren, were old enough, they both joined. Sam left the business a couple of years ago and now has a joinery business – which supplies them with high quality wooden grave crosses and markers. Lauren is an integral part of the business, working out of the Lakenheath office with Laine, as well as conducting funerals and running the memorial side of the business.
As well as family, a very close and caring professional team are essential and the team working at MSFS are exceptional. Every staff member is chosen for kindness, empathy, friendliness and professionalism – essential qualities when supporting families through their most difficult times. The full-time team who many will know are Daisy and Alison who work in the Thetford Office, Sally who works from the Brandon office, Danny, who works as a funeral conductor and operative, Andrzej – the longest serving member of staff, and of course, Archie – the newest member, their Apprentice. This team are also supported by a very professional and friendly part-time bearer team.
MSFS are family-led in the type of funerals they offer, be that the most elaborate and bespoke tailored funeral, a funeral for family and friends to come together and remember their loved one in their own special way, or a direct funeral where no-one attends and they take care of everything, delivering ashes back at the end.
It is important that any Funeral Director belongs to a trade association, who ensure that high standards of care, quality, and ethics are maintained. Mark Skinner Funeral Service belong to two, NAFD and SAIF. Annual inspections are carried out by these organisations and the business has consistently passed with flying colours.
Whether families engage at a time of loss or plan ahead using one of the Golden Charter Prepaid plans MSFS use, the team’s commitment to dignity, listening and compassion sets them apart in our local community.
