Since 1933, the name Walter H. Squires & Son has been synonymous with dignity and pride in the profession of funeral directing. The high standards for which the business has become so well known have been maintained by adhering to old-fashioned values of dignity and respect, but even Walter Squires himself would have acknowledged that whilst these are essential and should not be forgotten, the firm should never be unwilling to accept necessary change and move forward with the times.
One of the more obvious recent changes to funeral directing is women finally being able to make their mark in a previously male-dominated profession. Melanie started her career in funeral directing, much like Ryan, with work experience at the tender age of 15.
Whilst all her friends were following careers in more trendy work places, Melanie decided to follow her heart and sought work experience and later employment with a local Taunton firm. However, her decision was not one that met with everyone’s approval. Her family, although supportive, were worried that such an unusual vocation might hinder future friendships and relationships, so it is ironic that it was Melanie’s choice of career that brought her and Ryan together.
In 2001 Ryan hired a hearse from the firm for which Melanie worked, while his own was undergoing a cosmetic renovation. It was Melanie who drove the hearse to Tiverton and although Ryan was happy for the hearse to go back he was not so keen for Melanie to leave.
In the nine years since Melanie became a funeral director she has helped countless families in Taunton and the surrounding areas. She has developed an unrivalled reputation and managed to affirm the importance of women in the funeral profession.
“I’m very proud of the support I have been able to provide to the families I have served in Taunton, and I’m delighted to being joining the family firm,” said Melanie. “I feel confident that Walter H. Squires & Son will benefit from a woman’s perspective and, more importantly, so will the families it is privileged to care for.”
It is not only Melanie who is proud of the reputation she has built up, Ryan is also justifiably proud of his wife’s achievements.
“After 17 years in the funeral profession, and nine years as owner and senior funeral director in the family firm, I have been honoured to receive hundreds of letters of thanks from the families I have been privileged to care for but very few of the letters I have received compare to those written to Melanie,” said Ryan. “The depth of emotion in many of these letters is a testament to the level of care Melanie gives, and I’m so happy she has agreed to join me and our staff at Walter H. Squires & Son.”
Since the beginning the firm has been a family concern, and has been headed by a husband and wife team. Walter and his wife Bessie started the business in 1933. Peter and his wife June continued the family tradition after Walter’s death in 1985 and now nine years after Ryan single-handedly took the reins, due to the sudden loss of Peter, Ryan and Melanie are able to re-establish Walter H. Squires & Son as a genuine family business.
The Tiverton Gazette 30/06/06
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