Welcome to H C Townsend & Son

Independent family Funeral Directors since 1927

Serving Harrogate, Wetherby and surrounding areas. Call or email us any time, 24/7, 365 days a year. We are here to offer advice, guidance and support.

We're here for you in your time of loss

The first steps to be taken when a death occurs are often the hardest for people When a loved one passes away, it can be a confusing and overwhelming time. Allow us to help by guiding you through your funeral process step by step.

What to do when someone dies

Types of funeral

We believe every funeral should be carried out with dignity and respect for both the deceased and the bereaved family. Over our 90+ years of service we have worked hard to ensure we always deliver the very best for every funeral. Let us help to make your funeral the best for you.

Choose a funeral service to suit you

HC Townsend & Son are one of the longest serving funeral directors in Harrogate, Boroughbridge, Wetherby and all surrounding areas. Our services have been refined and perfected for almost 100 years across 4 generations of funeral directors.

As professional funeral directors, we believe every funeral should be carried out with dignity and respect for both the deceased and the bereaved family. Our range of funeral services should be more than enough to provide your loved one with the funeral that they deserve.

We will respond to any request for our services at any time. David Townsend is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Once you have contacted us, arrangements can be made for the conveyance of the deceased to our Chapel of Rest.

With over 40 years experience as a Funeral Director, David will guide you through every step of the funeral arrangement process, and offer all the necessary advice you need to make the right decisions. We complete all the necessary legal documentation and contact the relevant authorities on your behalf.

Funeral costs

Following a CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) review into the practices of the funeral industry, from 16th September 2021, every Funeral Director must now produce a full price list, allowing everyone a fair opportunity to compare their costs.

Transparent funeral costs

Funeral plans

At HC Townsend & Son, we are happy to work with all funeral plan providers that are registered by the CMA. You can put a plan in place with a provider and simply choose us as your preferred funeral director. When the time comes, we’ll take care of your wishes locally with the utmost care and respect.

Prepaid funeral plans

95 years of HC Townsend

1927

At the age of 21, Henry Claude Townsend completed a 7 year apprenticeship, and was offered 3d an hour extra pay by his employer. However, his father, Joseph Henry, felt that he was undervalued for such a talented young craftsman, and so encouraged Henry Claude to set up his own joinery business. Coffin manufacturing and funerals soon became part of the work, and H.C.Townsend was formed.

1952

Kenneth Brian, only child of Claude and Beatrice (Kitty), joined the business on completion of his education at Harrogate Grammar School in 1952. The business flourished and Cundalls Funeral Directors was acquired in the late 1970s.

1981

David, eldest son of Brian and Mary, joined the business and, at the age of just 17, carried out his first funerals.

2004

Brian and Mary retired and handed the reins to David and his wife, Ann. In October 2005, they acquired Backhouse of Hunsingore, Funeral Directors.

2014

In 2014, Alex began working for the company at the age of 17 and has continued to do so throughout studies at Harrogate Grammar School and Nottingham Trent University before graduating in July 2019. Alex conducted his first funerals for the business in late October 2019.

2018

In 2018, a new fleet of vehicles were acquired: the first fleet of Mercedes vehicles that the company owned.

2021

David Townsend celebrated forty years in the family business. The Reverend David Hoskins presented David with a watch from his wife, Ann. He said that David has all the qualities needed in a great funeral director, and that a family business has lots to recommend it in days when national companies dominate the scene.

2022

A new office building was acquired in Boroughbridge, Ann has previously lived in the town for 20 years and David and Ann were married at Boroughbridge Methodist Chapel. This expansion marks the first time that the company has operated outside of Follifoot in its 95 year tenure.

“From start to finish, Townsends provided a compassionate, kind and informative service. They explained everything simply and easily and lifted so much burden of worrying what to do and how to do it. I really felt they honoured my Mum and enabled the whole process to to be sensitive and warm. I heartily recommend them.”
Jenny AinsworthHarrogate

“Thank you sincerely David and Anne for all the care and professionalism you showed to me and my family before, during and after the funeral. In spite of covid restrictions, you made the funeral everything I could have hoped for Michael. I will forever remember your many kindnesses”
Bernadette BroderickHarrogate

“Five stars are not enough to rate the service David and his family with the attention to detail and compassion he afforded myself and my Father. He went above and beyond his duty and I cannot thank you enough.”
Emma CharltonHarrogate

“The hardest time losing my mum ,so thankful I choose HC Townsend and Sons. They took the weight off my shoulders and took care of everything in the most compassionate and professional way possible. A real godsend. I could not ask for better service.”
Zoe SladeHarrogate

“David’s care, attention and professionalism were absolutely second to none and we felt in very safe hands. We have had such lovely comments about my Dad’s service and yes, we had a major input in that but the service went very smoothly and we never once felt concerned. We can’t thank David and his team enough, they made a very trying and upsetting time just a little bit less so with their support.”
Ali HullHarrogate

“My Mother Heather, sister Jane and I would like to thank David, Anne and Alex at H. C Townsend & Son for their amazing care and guidance in arranging Dad’s funeral. They have been acutely professional, yet at the same time compassionate, respectful and incredibly patient. We felt in safe, gentle hands throughout - from initial contact and planning stages through to the day of the funeral and beyond. Every aspect and option was carefully explained and carried out.
We simply cannot thank you enough.”
Mary TatlowHarrogate

“My mother passed away after a long illness. I, being a true Yorkshireman, shopped around for prices. I specifically wanted a funeral directors which had their own cars and facilities rather than the funeral arrangers. I spoke to Ann Townsend and knew they were going to be my choice. I cannot praise her and David enough. Nothing was too much trouble and I found the whole process made easier with them behind you. I went to the chapel of rest and was delighted with how they presented Mum. Spot on! (She would have been delighted herself)! I don't go in for all this review stuff but I would recommend this family firm without hesitation. You'll be in great hands.”
Wes DennisHarrogate

“I had had no experience of dealing with the death of a relative. Townsends were recommended to me by a friend and I would not hesitate to pass on this recommendation. They made everything as easy as possible and looked after us from start to finish. They are so kind and knowledgeable and I cannot thank them enough for arranging everything and making a sad day into a memorable one for all the right reasons, they truly are exceptional.”
Fiona LippellHarrogate

“Where to start with this review is difficult as it is impossible to praise David & Ann highly enough.
Despite this being the worst thing you can ever have to deal with in your life, from the very first call you have to make to them to the very last, they make you feel completely in safe hands and absolutely nothing is too much trouble.
They are right there with you to guide you carefully and thoughtfully through the whole journey, with help organising absolutely every aspect of your funeral and bereavement process.
Cannot thank you enough, you are amazing.”
Chris BraithwaiteHarrogate

“I rang Mr Townsend when our mum died suddenly in March, and instantly knew that I'd done the right thing, as he immediately remembered that he'd done our dad's funeral nine years earlier. Our family has really appreciated the kindness, care and attention David, Ann and their team have shown towards us. During a very difficult time it was reassuring to know that our mum was in such professional, safe and caring hands. Nothing was too much trouble, and it is of some comfort to feel that we were able to say goodbye to her in a way that she would have wanted. Thank you very much indeed.”
Catherine HandleyHarrogate