About C L Birkett & Son Funeral Directors
C L Birkett & Son Funeral Directors was founded by Mr Cedric Birkett, who qualified as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1976 and later, along side wife Ann, formed C L Birkett Funeral Service in 1985.
C L Birkett & Son was later formed as eldest son Stephen joined the business and some years later youngest son Paul, making us Stretford and Urmstons longest established Funeral Directors.
Paul Birkett continues to follow in his Father’s footsteps as the Manager of the Stretford and Urmston branches serving the local communities with the same care, dignity and pride that Cedric Birkett did for over 45 years.
The teams at our Urmston and Stretford funeral homes will provide advice at every stage of the funeral planning process, and will arrange an individual and unique funeral to help you celebrate the life of your loved one.
If you would like to talk to us about planning a funeral, or our Choice plan, please come and see us in any of our funeral homes, or if you’d rather we can arrange a home visit. We’re also available 24 hours a day on the phone so if you need anything please don’t hesitate to call your local funeral home.
Meet the Team
Cedric Birkett
Founder
C L Birkett & Son Funeral Directors was founded by Mr Cedric Birkett, who qualified as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1976 and later, along side wife Ann, formed C L Birkett Funeral Service in 1985.
C L Birkett & Son Funeral Directors soon moved from Stretford to 111, Higher Road, Urmston and then more recently, developed a new additional office back in Stretford, at 147 Barton Road.
C L Birkett & Son was later formed as eldest son Stephen joined the business and some years later youngest son Paul, making us Stretford and Urmstons longest established Funeral Directors.
Paul Birkett
Manager & Funeral Director
C L Birkett & Son was formed as eldest son Stephen joined the business and some years later youngest son Paul, making us Stretford and Urmstons longest established Funeral Directors.
Paul Birkett continues to follow in his Father’s footsteps as the Manager of the Stretford and Urmston branches serving the local communities with the same care, dignity and pride that Cedric Birkett did for over 45 years.
Paul says “Helping families during their time of need is of huge importance to me, and with that comes a feeling of great satisfaction.”
Paul has a certificate in Funeral Service and in his spare time likes spending time with his family and friends and motorcycling.
David Gresty, BEng(Hons), Dip.FD, MBIE, LMBIFD
Consultant
David Gresty (Arthur’s Grandson) joined the business in 1988 and owned the company 25 years and continues with the business under Funeral Partners as the Business Principal.
David says he enjoys “meeting and helping people at their most difficult time and hopes to make a difference to them, their bereavement and that of their family and friends.”
David has a Diploma in Funeral Directing as well as a B Eng (Hons) degree in Engineering Management and is British Institute of Embalming qualified.
He supports Macmillan at Wythenshawe hospital and the local charity ‘2 little ducks’. He is a member of BIE and a current member BIFD and past National President of BIFD
In his spare time David enjoys movies, making movie theme models and home cooking.
Anthony Caffrey
General Manager, Funeral Director
Anthony has worked for C L Birkett & Son Funeral Directors / Arthur Gresty Funeral Homes as General Manager / Funeral Director since 2004.
He says he enjoys “the opportunity to perform the last act of kindness that can be done for anybody”.
Anthony is an Ordained Roman Catholic Deacon and Assistant Director of Liturgical Ceremony for the Diocese of Shrewsbury.
He is a heritage railway enthusiast and has an interest in all thing railway.
Jill Smith, Dip.FD
Funeral Director
Chris McQueen
Operative Manager
Roy Woodall
Senior Funeral Operative
Malcolm Serjeant, Dip.FD, LMBIFD
Funeral Operative
Helen Caffrey
Office Manager
Muriel Costello
Office Minder - Urmston
Catherine Brookes
Administration & Memorial Adviser
Catherine says she enjoys “being able to see the finished work and seeing the client being pleased with their chosen memorial”.
Her biggest achievement in life has been raising her two daughters.
In her free time she enjoys reading, baking, watching TV dramas and walking her dog.
Our Values
Pride
We take pride in everything we do. Our aim is that everyone who works for Funeral Partners shares our values.
Helping People
Our business exists to help the bereaved to make fitting arrangements for their loved one’s last journey and to provide lasting memories for family and friends.
We do this with a positive, caring and understanding approach.
Respect for everyone
We value diversity and treat everyone with the same respect, courtesy and dignity.
Professional Standards
We are a professional organisation and we strive to achieve the highest possible standards in everything we do and to improve upon these standards continuously.
Accept responsibility
We accept responsibility for our actions both as a company and as individuals.
Partnership
We believe that we can only achieve our goals by working together in partnership with client families, suppliers and our employees.