Howarth Funeral Service was established by Raymond Howarth, who began working as a Funeral Director in 1941. His father Charles Howarth worked in the profession from 1920 until he retired from the Joiners and Funeral Directors business at the age of 66 years.

Raymond’s youngest son, Ian, began working in the business after he left school in 1969.

In 1984 Ian acquired and became the proprietor of Blakey’s Funeral Service, situated at Crigglestone near Wakefield, and subsequently took over as sole proprietor of Howarth’s and Blakey’s in 1989.

Today Neil Howarth work's alongside his father Ian.

We pride ourselves on our quality service, whilst at the same time, we are committed to keeping funerals to a reasonable cost.

Raymond Howarth 1941

How we began

After Working in the funeral trade since 1941, In May 1954 Raymond Howarth began working in his own business of Joiners and Funeral Directors at Alverthorpe Road in Wakefield.

Raymond's first workshop was rented from John Smiths Brewery.  The building was converted from old stables adjoining the Scarborough Arms Public House in New Scarborough (Alverthorpe Road).  Shortly afterwards Raymond built a workshop on a piece of land on the edge of an old brick quarry (known at that time as the brick-fields).  On or about the time of the first building Raymond was joined in the business by his father Charles Howarth, who had worked in the trade for many years, and subsequently changed its name to C&R Howarth, Joiners and Undertakers.  The house that stands today at 160 Alverthorpe Road was built in 1959; the house was built in front of the workshops.

In 1966 The Chapel of Rest was built on land at the side of the house.  The Chapel of rest was the first purpose built Chapel of rest to be opened in Wakefield.