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Ivan Fisher Independent Funeral Home
Address: 17 Park Drive, Hethersett, Norwich, NR9 3EN
Phone: 01603 810022 Email: info@ivanfisherfunerals.co.uk Web: www.ivanfisherfunerals.co.uk
Funeral Director/s: Ivan Fisher Dip FD late 20s). Began life as a farm worker. Looked like a dead end, so applied to a local funeral director for a chauffeur/bearer job. The FD knew a good thing when he saw it and took Ivan on as a trainee funeral director. Started at the bottom, working in the workshop, polishing the hearse. Rose rapidly. After 5 years his boss sold out to a chain, and Ivan’s experience of chains tells you something about them: “It was really at odds with my way of caring for and helping clients. Something had to give.” He looked for another post with an independent funeral director, there wasn’t one, so he bravely set up on his own. The chain gang harassed and intimidated him but were finally shamed into submission by adverse press publicity. Ivan’s 4 year-old business is going from strength to strength. Out of death interests include visiting National Trust houses, walking the dogs, interior decorating. He is captain of bellringers at his local church, member of the PCC and volunteer steward at Norwich Theatre Royal.
Specific Gravity: Punctilious. Impeccable. Faultless. All three words could have been invented to describe Ivan. Theatrical, too, perhaps. Ivan and his men are famed for their turnout, which is resolutely, romantically Victorian. Bearers: white shirts, burgundy cravats, black herringbone waistcoats, tailcoats trimmed with burgundy velvet, black patent shoes. Ivan: much the same plus gold Albert chain and pocket watch, black frock-coat, silver-topped cane and silk top hat. “Locally, my men and I are known for our attire and it is generally very well accepted. I would consider it a selling point. I would, of course, be open to suggestions from the family, but am cautious of appearing too informal; after all, mourners could think it was our usual appearance.”rnIvan loves his cars. Again, it’s a romantic love. Daimler DS420 hearse and matching limousines painted black over Royal Claret. The main mourning car once belonged to the late Queen Mother. Also owns the Rolls Royce Phantom V used by HRH Princess Alexandra and is looking for another to match. Says Ivan: “I feel that, whilst on its own a fleet of cars cannot in itself enhance the funeral service, a procession of immaculate classic cars does add to the day.” Will gladly get you anything else you like—horsedrawn hearse popular hereabouts—down to his Ford Galaxy estate. rnrn
What’s important? Ivan exemplifies the best qualities of the best independents. Likes things to be done properly. Gives families the time to make the choices they want “rather than accept the arrangements that suit the company.” Huge commitment to service: “I want every family that I assist to be thrilled with the level of care and attention they receive ... My funerals are worlds apart from those offered by faceless chains.”
What’s different? “I think in many ways it is my personality which brings families to me. I guess that, to use a phrase lots of people use, I go the extra mile and nothing is too much trouble. I love complex or unusual arrangements. I have arranged for closed roads to be opened, taken coffins on the backs of tractors, and all sorts of one-off requests. We off to take on as much or as little of the arrangement of the funeral as is right for the family.”
Services: Your call will be answered by Ivan or Paul or Ivan’s mother, Judy. All are pictured on the website. Yes to home visits. Ivan is your point of contact throughout. Female to lay out body by arrangement: “I have found that most of my families like the thought that the person who they have met, talked with and, hopefully, got to like will be the same person who cares for their loved one.” Yes to coming in and laying out the body. Will gladly work with home funeralists: “I am quite traditional and like the idea of the deceased resting at home.” Little ethnic diversity hereabouts but wholly willing to work within different traditions. No to routine embalming. If it’s necessary will do it on your say-so at no extra charge. Attaches huge importance to the quality of the service. Shuns ministers and celebrants who do a bad job and has good ones on his books, religious and non-religious. Good website.
Remarks: Very personable. Delightful, you might say. Very careful and very much the servant of your wishes. A traditionalist, but by no means wedded to the past. Aware of current trends and what people want now. Here is a man doing what he was born to do, and doing it very well indeed.
There are 2 comments about Ivan Fisher Independent Funeral Home
Philip Holsman said...
Exceptional service carried out with compassion and professionalism. Having looked online after my father died I phoned Ivan Fisher and they were most helpful. I went with my gut instinct and was not disappointed, the cost was very competitive and the quality of the coffin and cars faultless, and all the staff were smart, polite and helpful. Thank you.
Lisa said...
I was looking for an independent when my dad died (having worked in the industry many years ago and not wanting a chain) and simply cannot recommend him highly enough. I don’t live in Norfolk and Ivan opened up out of hours to accommodate me and my family. He could not have been more helpful more personable or more caring. I felt dad was in great hands and I do not hesitate to recommend him now to anyone that is in need of this very important service.