David Knowles Funeral Service

28/03/2026

An independent funeral director marks two years of care by giving back over £10,000 to local community.
As David Knowles Funeral Service approaches its second anniversary on 15th April 2026, the independent, family-run business in Yarm is reflecting not only on the hundreds of families it has supported, but also on the lasting impact it has made within the local community, reinvesting more than £10,000 into local organisations, groups and initiatives.
Over the past two years, this commitment has seen support given to organisations, including Yarm Wellness, Stockton and Yarm Royal British Legion, Yarm and Eaglescliffe Football Club, Yarm Bowling Club, Yarm Cricket Club, Butterwick Hospice, Teesside Hospice, Great North Air Ambulance Service, Yarm School, Egglescliffe and Eaglescliffe Parish Council, Preston Parish Council, St Mary Magdalene Church, Yarm, St Francis of Assisi Church, Ingleby Barwick, St Martin and St Hilary's Church, Kirklevington and the much-loved Yarm Fun Run, among many others.
David Knowles, founder of the business, said: “To have been able to reinvest over £10,000 into our community in just two years is something we are incredibly proud of and it’s only possible because of the trust families place in us every single day.”

27/03/2026

You may have seen the recent news about a large national funeral provider being investigated over potentially misleading reviews.

This is really upsetting because when families are arranging a funeral, trust is everything.

People turn to reviews for reassurance.
They want to know their loved one will be cared for with dignity, kindness and respect.

That’s why we are so proud to have over 100 genuine reviews from the families we’ve supported.

Each one tells a real story.
Each one reflects a real family.
And every single one has been given honestly, never created and never influenced.

In our profession, trust has to be earned… not manufactured.

If you’re ever unsure, we invite you to read our reviews to hear directly from the families we’ve had the honour to support.

As an independent, family-run funeral director, we will always stand for honesty, compassion and doing the right thing.

27/03/2026

A lovely gesture from a local business!

24/03/2026

As we approach the second anniversary of serving our local community on 15th April 2026, we’ve taken some time to reflect, not just on the families we’ve had the honour to care for, but on the community that surrounds and supports us.

In that time, we are incredibly proud to have invested just over £10,000 back into our local community.

When you entrust us to care for you and your loved one, you know you are receiving an exceptional and personal service. But did you know you are also helping to contribute to our amazing community? Supporting local clubs, activities, services, wellbeing groups, schools, churches and so many more. This makes us incredibly proud!

Because while nothing will ever be more important than the family’s we are caring for in that moment, it means so much to know that, together, we are also helping others around us.

This isn’t just what we do… it’s who we are.

We support the people in and around our community with Dignity and Kindness and wherever we can support, we always will.

Thank you for placing your trust in us and for helping us give something meaningful back to the place we are proud to call home.

24/03/2026

We have just received this amazing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Google Review this morning.

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words, it truly means a great deal to us. It was a honour to support you and your family in arranging such a personal and meaningful farewell for your Mum. I’m so pleased that the care, attention to detail and the personal touches helped to create a service that honoured her in the way she deserved. Guiding families through such a difficult time is something we take great pride in and your recommendation is sincerely appreciated. Please remember that we're always here for you if you need any further support.

With my very best wishes.

David

23/03/2026

21/03/2026

The family of the late Bob Hunter have asked me to share the details of his Funeral which are as follows:

HUNTER
Robert
(Bob)

Peacefully in hospital on 19th March, Bobby aged 96 years. Loving Husband of the late Eileen. Incredible Dad of Elaine, Lorraine and Steven. Beloved Father-in-Law of Gary and Claire. The best Grandad of Liam, Caitlin, Louis, Ellie, Melissa, Hollie and Jamie and also a doting Great Grandad of Louie, Keisha, Henry, Sadie and Arthur.
Service and Cremation takes place in the Chapel of St Bede, Teesside Crematorium on Thursday 2nd April at 11:00am.
Would friends please meet at the Crematorium Chapel.
Family flowers only please by request, donations in lieu if so desired to RNLI. Donations can be made and memories of Bob can be shared by visiting Bob’s online tribute page by using the following link, https://robert-hunter-1929-2026.muchloved.com/ a collection will also be available at the Crematorium.
All enquiries to David Knowles Funeral Service, 4 Mandale Park, Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, Yarm. Tel: 01642 929090.

19/03/2026

This week, we have had the privilege of installing two truly special and unique memorials within Acklam and Thorntree Cemetery, each thoughtfully designed to reflect the lives and memories of those they honour.

The first is a striking Gates of Heaven style memorial, crafted in beautiful Black Pearl granite. It features polished sides, a contrasting honed centre, elegant moon gold leaf lettering and is finished with a timeless statue and etching of a very special picture, creating a truly distinctive and meaningful tribute.

The second is a beautifully traditional shaped memorial in honed black granite, complemented perfectly by a stunning hand-painted Robin ornament, an especially poignant symbol of remembrance for many families.

Both memorials were created in close collaboration with the families, ensuring every detail was personal and fitting. We were also proud to work alongside our friends at Mindful Memorials to bring these visions to life.

It is always an honour to help families create lasting tributes that reflect love, memory and individuality.

If you require support creating a meaningful memorial, please feel free to contact us anytime on 01642 929090 or visit, https://davidknowlesfuneralservice.co.uk/memorials-and-headstones

19/03/2026

We were delighted to sponsor the recent visit of the award-winning author Joseph Coelho to Yarm School. With our support, over 500 pupils from eleven schools attended and enjoyed an inspiring session with the incredibly talented writer and poet. They worked with Joseph to write a poem collectively and some got their favourite books signed too!
Community is at the heart of everything we do and we are thrilled to have helped facilitate such a great experience for so many local children.
*We have full consent for the children featured in the main image to be shared*.

19/03/2026

The family of the late David Simpson have asked me to share the following information:

SIMPSON
David

Peacefully in hospital on 16th March following a long battle with Parkinson's, Dave aged 62 years. Brother of Helen and also Son of the late Ronald and Margaret Simpson.
In accordance with Dave’s wishes there will be no funeral service.
All enquiries to David Knowles Funeral Service, 4 Mandale Park, Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, Yarm. Tel: 01642 929090.

18/03/2026

All Saints Churchyard in Crathorne looking absolutely stunning this afternoon.

17/03/2026

The family of the late Aidan Preston have asked me to share the following acknowledgement:

PRESTON
Aidan

Ann, Susan and Graham and their families wish to express their sincere thanks to all relatives and friends for their kind expressions of sympathy. Thank you for all the letters, cards, flowers and donations to St. Mary's Church.
Grateful thanks to Venerable Simon Golding and his Wife Anne and to David Knowles Funeral Service for such exceptional thoughtfulness and expertise.