Our Story, In Our Words
At Hughes Funeral Directors, we believe that behind every meaningful farewell is a team who truly cares. As a proudly independent, family-run business serving Wolverhampton and the surrounding communities, our work is deeply personal. We’re not part of a national chain — we’re a family who has walked alongside hundreds of others during times of grief, always with compassion, dignity and respect.
On this page, you’ll find our story — in our own words.
Growing Up with Funeral Directors as Parents
By Megan Hughes
Daughter of Funeral Directors, Student, and Proud Observer of Real-Life Heroes
When people find out that both of my parents are funeral directors, their first reaction is usually surprise. It’s not something most kids grow up around, and I get a lot of questions like, “Isn’t that weird?” or “Isn’t it sad all the time?” But to me, it’s always been normal—because behind the title of “funeral director,” they’re just Mum and Dad.
Yes, their job is different. They deal with death, grief, and emotions that most people shy away from. But what I’ve come to realise over the years is that what they really do is look after people. They help families during one of the most heartbreaking times of their lives. They’re the people who step in when others don’t know what to say or do. And watching them do that has taught me more about compassion, strength, and kindness than any classroom ever could.
There were times growing up when I didn’t fully understand their work. I just knew that Mum and Dad were always on call—whether it was Christmas Day, the middle of the night, or just as we were about to eat dinner. I used to get frustrated, especially when their phone rang and they had to rush out. But as I got older, I started to see the bigger picture. I saw how much people needed them, and how much comfort they brought to families.
I’ve seen how gently my mum speaks to grieving parents. I’ve watched my dad make sure every little detail is perfect before a funeral. I’ve listened to them talk about people’s lives—not just their deaths—and I’ve learned how important it is to treat everyone with dignity, no matter their background or circumstances.
It’s not a job you can switch off from. It follows you home. There are heavy days. But even on the hardest days, they never stop showing up for people. And somehow, they still come home and make time to be parents too.
Growing up in this environment has made me more mature, more understanding, and more open about things like death and loss—topics most people find difficult to talk about. It’s also shown me the importance of community and the impact that one act of kindness can have. When someone stops my mum or dad in the street to thank them, or sends a card weeks after a funeral, I feel proud. Really proud.
So, is it strange having parents who are funeral directors? Maybe to some. But to me, it just means having two role models who work incredibly hard to make a difference in people’s lives—when they need it the most.
Why I Do What I Do
By Craig Hughes
Funeral Director, Husband, Father, and Community Supporter
People often ask me how I ended up in the funeral profession. The truth is, I didn’t grow up thinking this is where I’d be—but now that I’m here, I can’t imagine doing anything else. For me, being a funeral director is not just a job. It’s a role that carries great responsibility, and one that I’m proud to carry out with respect, honesty, and heart.
I’ve always been a practical person. I’m the type to roll up my sleeves, get things done, and stay calm in a crisis. Those qualities are needed in this line of work. But funeral directing is also about care—real, human care. It’s about being present for people when their world has turned upside down, and doing whatever it takes to support them.
Together with my wife Kim, I run Hughes Funeral Directors as a truly independent, family-run business in Wolverhampton. That means when someone rings our phone, they’re not passed around or kept on hold—they speak to me, Kim, or Wendy directly. I believe that personal connection makes all the difference. We’re not here to sell packages. We’re here to walk beside people during one of the hardest times in their lives.
There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes in this job. From bringing someone into our care with dignity, to making sure every detail of the funeral is just right—timings, routes, readings, flowers, music. I take great pride in making sure everything runs smoothly. Families shouldn’t have to worry about logistics. That’s my job, and I make sure it’s done properly.
Some days are harder than others—especially when we’re looking after someone young or when we know the family personally. But that only strengthens our resolve to do things right. Everyone we care for is treated as if they were our own loved one. That’s a promise.
I also believe that grief doesn’t end with the funeral. That’s why we offer continued support and check in with families long after the service has taken place. We’ve seen first-hand how powerful it is when people feel they haven’t been forgotten.
Being a husband and a dad has shaped how I work too. I know the importance of family, and I know how fragile life can be. That knowledge keeps me grounded and reminds me to always treat people with patience, compassion, and respect.
We’re proud to serve Wolverhampton and the surrounding communities, and it means a lot to us that families trust us at such a vulnerable time. That trust is never taken for granted.
Why do I do what I do? Because I believe every life deserves to be honoured with dignity. Because I want families to feel supported and respected. And because if I can help ease the burden—just a little—for someone who’s grieving, then I know I’ve done something worthwhile.
Why I Do the Job I Do
By Kimberly Hughes, Dip FD
Funeral Director, Embalmer, Wife, Mother, and Community Supporter
When people ask me why I chose to become a funeral director, the answer is never simple—but it always comes from the heart. This isn’t just a job to me. It’s a calling. It’s about being there for families on what may be the most painful day of their lives, and offering a steady, compassionate hand when everything else feels uncertain.
I didn’t come into this profession by accident. It’s something that’s grown within me over time. I’ve always had a deep sense of empathy and a desire to help others, especially in moments where words are hard to find and emotions are raw. That desire eventually led me to become a funeral director and embalmer, and to dedicate my life to supporting people through grief with care, dignity, and respect.
There’s something incredibly humbling about being trusted to care for someone’s loved one. I never take that lightly. Every person we look after was someone’s parent, child, sibling, or friend. They laughed, cried, loved, and lived—and it’s our responsibility to honour their story, no matter how long or short it may have been.
My work as an embalmer adds a deeper level of responsibility and privilege. To be able to care for someone in such an intimate and respectful way—to restore peace to their appearance, preserve their dignity, and allow families to say goodbye properly—is something I take great pride in. I know how much it can mean for a family to see their loved one looking at rest, and I put my heart into every person I care for.
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing the comfort that a thoughtful, personal funeral can bring. Whether it’s playing a special song, arranging for a unique tribute, or simply making sure someone is dressed in their favourite outfit—these small details matter. They remind families that their loved one’s life was seen, valued, and remembered.
But funeral directing isn’t just about the ceremony. It’s about the conversations that happen quietly behind the scenes, the late-night phone calls, the support that continues long after the flowers have faded. I’ve sat with families in tears, held hands, and listened to stories of love, regret, and everything in between. It’s in those moments that I’m reminded exactly why I do what I do.
Being a wife and a mother has also shaped the way I work. I know what it means to love deeply—and how devastating it is to imagine losing someone close. That knowledge gives me a personal understanding of how important it is to treat every family like they’re my own.
At Hughes Funeral Directors, we’re not part of a big chain. We’re local, independent, and proud to serve our community with genuine care. When people walk through our doors, they meet me, Craig, or Wendy—not a call centre or a stranger in a suit. That personal connection means everything.
This work isn’t easy. It can be emotionally heavy, and there are days when the sadness lingers. But then I remember why I chose this path: to make a difference, however small, in someone’s life when they need it most.
So why do I do this job? Because people matter. Because lives deserve to be honoured. And because, in the darkest of times, I believe kindness, dignity, and compassion can help light the way forward.