OUR FUNERAL PROVIDER'S HISTORY
We know that continuity of a quality service and family choices go hand in hand. Brodies have cared for many generations of families within our communities and have evolved our service to meet those needs and choices. Funerals have changed greatly over the last 10 years let alone the last 100 and we are at the forefront of listening and responding to the services families ask for. Therefore, we look forward to the future whilst celebrating our century of service.
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100 YEARS OF BRODIES
JAMES BRODIE
1921
(The Firm of James Brodie)
The firm started as a Garage, Motor Hirer, Taxi and Ambulances. In those days, miners paid a penny a week to have an ambulance stationed outside every pit head. In the event of an accident these would ensure swift transfer to the local hospital. Jimmy also bought a Rolls Royce hearse and started to hire out this and other cars to undertakers in the locality. Shortly afterwards he started to conduct funerals.
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The volume was very small and local to Harthill.
1950s
JOHN BRODIE
(James Brodie Funeral Directors)
​John made the firm far more professional by concentrating on Funeral Provision and relinquished our “Roots” car dealership; he expanded into Bathgate 1960s, Armadale 1970s, and Whitburn 1980s. During this time he built up a reputation of trust and provided a level of service unprecedented within Scottish funeral care professionals. He was the Scottish President of the NAFD and pioneered local funeral home provision.
2000s
JIM & WILMA BRODIE
(Brodies Funeral Directors)
After John’s untimely death, Jim and Wilma managed a buyout and the company has gone from strength to strength. They opened a new office in Livingston, have upgraded the existing funeral homes and invested heavily in modern luxurious Jaguar Hearses and Limousines. They have also introduced the Bentley 'Flying Spur' saloon to further enhance our customers’ ambiance. Jim has also been the Scottish President of The National Association of Funeral Directors and The Scottish Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors, (twice for both) he is currently a consultant to the Scottish Government with the Infant Cremation Steering Group, the New Burial and Cremation Act 2016 and the Development of the Social Fund Funeral Payment and Funeral Poverty issues.
2010s
SARAH BRODIE
(Brodies Funeral Services)
After finishing university, Wilma and Jim's eldest daughter Sarah joined the team. Sarah has her Dip Faa exam and looks to progress to the next stage in the future. Her focus is modernising and streamlining technology within the company to better the services families receive. Recent developments include 65" TV screens for family tributes, Sonos indoor and outdoor speakers and webcams for live streaming of services within the parlour service rooms.
HISTORY IS THERE TO BE CHERISHED BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING RIGHT NOW IS YOU.
How can we help?
01501 751214