Co-op Funeral Directors have been recognised as the ‘Best Funeral Provider – Essex’ at the 9th annual Business Excellence Awards held earlier this month.
Co-op Funeral Directors, a part of the Chelmsford Star Co-operative with branches across Essex, were highlighted for demonstrating grace and compassion under fire as they “battled, persevered and coped with unprecedented change” during the pandemic.
Judges went on to say, “After a challenging 18 months, it is a testament to your determination and dedication to have triumphed despite many unique difficulties and pressures, and we are delighted to be able to recognise your contribution to your industry.”
Over the course of the pandemic, Co-op Funeral Directors had to completely change how they worked, from moving and expanding their services online, to setting up phone calls with the vulnerable individuals who would normally attend their free bereavement group service, to introducing live streaming of church services and moving their memorial events onto social media.
Funeral Operations Manager, Craig Jackson said;
“I must give praise to my team who have worked so hard to ensure that each and every one of our clients received the best care possible at a time when we were unable to offer so many of our usual services. Winning this award is a wonderful way of acknowledging their efforts and I again thank them all for the high level of professionalism, commitment and passion that they give to the job.”
Co-op Funeral Directors have been serving the people of Essex for over 80 years, with a free bereavement service also running across multiple locations. They have won multiple additional awards for their customer service and dedication in that time, the most recent being Best Customer Focus in the Essex Achievement awards in 2021.