The Hunnaball Family - About Us
Family History
Established in 1983 by Trevor and Melanie Hunnaball, the company is now recognised as the premier family funeral service in Essex and Suffolk.
Trevor has over 50 years experience in the funeral industry, and was elected President of the National Association of Funeral Directors in 1994.
Trevor is a Director of Green Woodland Burial Services and represents the funeral industry on the Churches’ Funerals Group.
Melanie was the first lady funeral director in the area, and she is also actively involved in promoting awareness of the funeral profession.
Melanie gives talks to local groups and organises education seminars for allied care professionals dealing with end of life and bereavement care. Melanie is PR and Marketing Director.
Saul has been in the business since leaving school in 1986. He arranges and conducts funerals and manages Paskell’s of Manningtree and Lexden Columbarium and Garden of Rest.
Saul and his wife Jennie also run the stonemasonry department at The Gate House, dealing with the sales and administration of memorials for all the branches.
Chris, Melanie’s son, joined the company in 1991 and in addition to being Financial Director of the group, he is involved with the general management of the company.
Chris arranges and conducts funerals, and his wife Zena is a funeral director and manager of Hunnaball of Ipswich.
Polly joined the company in 1993 and is manager of the group’s head office at York House in Colchester.
Polly also arranges and conducts funerals, is personal assistant to Trevor and is the HR Director.
With changing times and attitudes, the company maintains the high standards and principles established by Trevor and Melanie. The family’s continued day-to-day involvement with all aspects of the business is every client’s assurance of a gentle, caring and professional service at a time of great personal distress.
Our Commitment To You
We are a family business dedicated to upholding the traditional values of respect and dignity, and to providing the very best of care for bereaved families.
We understand that when a death occurs, the first reaction is often shock, followed by confusion, and we are here to help you through the difficult days following your loss, and to ensure that we provide excellent quality of service and facilities, and a comprehensive range of options.
As professional Funeral Directors we are conscious of the responsibility entrusted to us by our clients, and we aim to provide support, guidance and help in making arrangements which meet your personal needs and requirements.
Arrangements for the funeral can either be made in our office or at your home, and at this important time our funeral directors will discuss the necessary formalities and all costings involved, and fully explain your options with regard to the funeral ceremony.
Once decisions have been made, we will liaise with all the various third parties involved – Hospitals, Ministers, The Cemetery or Crematorium, Newspapers – and make all the necessary arrangements.
On the day of the funeral, we will be there to ensure the smooth running of all the arrangements, and to provide our personal support throughout.
After the funeral, our further aim is to ensure that we are on hand to help you through your bereavement, and if necessary we can put you in touch with professional bereavement counsellors.