Reynolds Funeral Services, founded in Bognor Regis by Samuel Reynolds in 1867, is one of the longest-standing family businesses in West Sussex.
Samuel was originally a cabinet maker, and his expertise in furniture-making at the time naturally led him to begin making coffins. He became involved in the local community and began providing funeral services alongside his furniture shop.
The business and tradition have continued through six generations of the Reynolds family. The popular and well-respected funeral service now has three branches in Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, and Chichester, the furniture store has grown to be the largest in the county, and a busy storage facility also operates as part of the same thriving family business.
Today, Reynolds is run by fifth-generation brothers Dominic, James, Matthew, and Stephen Reynolds and sixth-generation Freya and Rebecca Reynolds. Father and daughter Dominic and Freya manage the furniture store; Matthew is the financial director, and James, Stephen, and Stephen’s daughter Rebecca run the funeral department.
The funeral firm runs a Jaguar fleet with a vintage Daimler hearse and has recently taken delivery of a second brand-new black metallic Mercedes-Benz Vito removal vehicle from Superior UK Automotive Ltd.
Rebecca Reynolds has worked on the funeral side of the family business since she was 18, initially part-time while studying for her degree in business and finance. She explains why she now continues the cherished family legacy as a full-time Funeral Director and why investing in staff, the company, and the community is the key to longevity.
Rebecca commented, ‘Our family has served bereaved families for nearly 160 years. Each generation has been dedicated to providing the best care and service to the communities we serve. We continuously invest in our staff, facilities, fleet, and future technologies to uphold this commitment.’
She added, ‘Our new Vito is a significant addition to our fleet and our second vehicle from Superior UK. Its sleek, professional exterior and innovative decking system allow us to ensure safe, efficient, and respectful transportation during collections from hospitals, coroners, and morticians.’
Office Manager Antony Cleall, who oversees the fleet, commented, ‘The Superior Vito has a luxury feel with modern tech and prioritises comfort, which our FSO staff appreciate. The ‘Rise&Fall’ decking is functional, reliable, and straightforward to maintain—perfect for the job, which is why we came back to Superior for a second one.’
Antony added, ‘We also bought an estate vehicle privately and had it fitted out by Superior, and the build quality and service were again excellent—we wouldn’t go anywhere else for our removal vehicles.’
The firm also recently invested in fully restoring its vintage Daimler hearse, the same model used for Princess Dianna’s funeral and a popular choice among local families.
Rebecca commented, ‘The Daimler is a beautiful vehicle and gives families an alternative vintage option. Local people in our community always recognise and admire our Daimler when it’s out at funerals, and we want to keep it available as long as possible.’
She added, “Our motto is ‘our family caring for yours,’ I take great pride in the dedication and exceptional care that Reynolds Funeral Services has provided across generations. I look forward to contributing to the business’s continued success for many years to come.”