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W G Miller
Address: 93&95 Essex Road, London, N1 2SJ
Phone: 020 7226 3886 Email: None Web: www.sitebuilder.yell.com/sb/show.do?id=SB0001411215000040
Funeral Director/s: Peter and Andrew Henry, Andrew’s son Stuart and Chris O’Neill. Peter and Andrew are the descendants of the wife of WG Miller, who founded the firm in 1918. This fairly sizeable independent business operates from one premises, Peter and Andrew grew up ‘above the shop’ and it was a natural progression to follow their late father when they left school at 15 and 16. Classic Victorian shop front for the premises, with bright airy rooms for arranging (which have recently been redecorated), no heavy mournful dark furnishings or drapes here, just commonsense decorations to make clients feel at ease. Peter and Andrew, apart from clearly being very caring, offer practical straightforward advice with an emphasis on the client having exactly what he or she wants. Out of death interests for both of them pretty well fall under the ‘field sports’ banner, shooting, fishing etc with sailing, golf and the obligatory interest in Arsenal FC, to boot. After all, they are good Islington folk and a passionate interest in the Gunners’ is considered essential. Family and friends clearly play a large part and without stating the obvious, the ongoing stewardship too of the family business.
Specific Gravity: There is no doubt that Miller’s follow the traditional attire of top hats and all that comes with it. Having said that, the constant theme is that the client can have whatever they want and they are very happy to entertain any requests.
What’s important? Aside from the usual desire to provide the full professional service, their fleet of Mercedes hearses and limousines (built by Duffy Coachbuilders of Dundalk, who they have dealt with for many years) and annually renewing these. This is indeed a well run and managed business. Peter and Andrew are both in their 50’s, Chris has been with them for many years and the bearers/funeral attendants back this up with similar lengths of service. Plenty of experience available here and all concerned look very happy to be a part of the business.
What’s different? No funeral arrangers here to take your call, it’s the Henry brothers and Stuart who man the phones, alternating on a weekly basis. Taken with that, we were very impressed with their attitude in transporting the deceased person to their premises. No stretchers and red body bags here, (that one often sees on television) as Millers take a more old fashioned view and that coffins only (and it’s generally the specific one chosen for the committal service) that are used in bringing the deceased to their funeral home. Granted, they do not have a rear entrance and there are residential properties in the locality, so they have to be additionally conscientious. We felt that that was a very decent personal touch.
Services: Your call will be answered by Peter, Andrew or Stuart. Their motto being, that wherever possible, whoever takes the call, will see the funeral through from the arranging to the service. Apart from the involvement of Chris, there is no delegation here. Very happy to visit the client at home to make arrangements, yes to coming in as a family to wash and dress your loved one and for a same sex person to be provided. Millers do not recommend embalming unless really necessary. Full range of coffins available and they are very happy to be consultants to home funeralists. An extensive list of secular celebrants is also available.
Remarks: Millers are very professional but with it, they bring an honesty, warmth and down to earth attitude to what is an interesting and socially mixed part of North London. They clearly very easily adapt between the wealthier citizen element of the Borough, the slightly bohemian and the generally normal and less flamboyant folk too. Expect great kindness with a personal touch from people who are very conscientious of their role in the local community. Well worth crossing town for. AP
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