Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Funeral Services in Oldham & Manchester
Harold P Heywood has been serving the local community for over a century, providing compassionate and dignified funeral services tailored to individual needs. Established in 1903, our family-run business combines generations of expertise with a deep understanding of the emotional and logistical challenges faced during bereavement. With offices in Failsworth, Oldham, and Lees, we offer a comprehensive range of services including traditional and direct cremations, burials, pre-paid funeral plans, and specialist support for infant funerals. Our team, led by Darren Clark and Michael Lindup, brings over 40 years of combined experience, ensuring every arrangement reflects the unique life being honoured.We prioritise transparency, offering clear pricing and 24/7 availability to guide families through this difficult process. Affiliated with the National Association of Funeral Directors and the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors, we uphold the highest standards of professionalism while maintaining a personal, community-focused approach. Our commitment extends beyond the funeral itself, with bereavement support resources and partnerships with local charities to assist families in their journey through grief.
Services
Direct Cremations
Traditional Burials
Pre-Paid Plans
Infant Funerals
Alternative Hearse Hire
Obituary Notices
Bereavement Support
Cremation Memorials
Funeral Stationery
Ashes Transportation
Details
- Year established: 1903
Highlights and features
- We offer over a century of experience in dignified, locally tailored funeral services.
- Our family-run team provides 24/7 personal support during bereavement.
- Transparent pricing with no hidden costs for cremation or burial arrangements.
- Specialist services for infant funerals with compassionate, cost-free core support.
- Affiliated with leading funeral industry associations for quality assurance.
Associations and certifications
- National Association of Funeral Directors
- Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)
What people say
Caring and compassionate
Extremely professional
Went above and beyond
Treated like royalty
Perfect farewell
Services
Direct Cremation
Our direct cremation service offers a cost-effective, dignified option without a formal ceremony. Includes 24-hour care, legal arrangements, and cremation at Oldham Crematorium using our immaculate hearse. Families may choose to gather in our private chapel for a memorial service if desired. Prices start at 1,315 with transparent billing.
Infant Funerals
We provide compassionate funeral services for babies and children at no cost, including legal arrangements and transportation. Our chapel of rest features a CuddleCot for extended family time, while partnerships with The Child Funeral Charity ensure additional support. Burial grave fees remain chargeable at cemetery rates.
Pre-Paid Plans
Golden Charter-accredited pre-paid plans let you arrange and fund your funeral in advance. Covers our professional services at today's prices, with optional contributions toward cremation or burial fees. Plans can be paid in full or through instalments, with flexible customization for music, coffin choices, and service details.
Alternative Hearse Hire
We offer unique funeral transport options including Rolls Royce, motorcycle, horse-drawn carriage, and military-themed hearses. Available for additional fees with prior arrangement. Our white and rainbow-coloured hearses provide modern alternatives to traditional black vehicles for personalized farewell journeys.
Bereavement Support
Beyond funeral arrangements, we provide ongoing bereavement resources including Sands and Cruse Bereavement partnership referrals. Our team offers guidance on coping strategies, memory creation, and navigating administrative processes following a loss, with specialist support for sudden or traumatic deaths.
People
Darren Clark
Managing Director
With 27 years' experience arranging over 2000 funerals, Darren leads our three companies while maintaining active involvement in St John Ambulance. Recognised with royal honours for community service, he combines traditional values with modern approaches to funeral care.
Michael Lindup
Funeral Director
Joining the business at 17, Michael became Oldham's youngest funeral director and now manages Harold P Heywood. With 500+ funerals conducted, he specialises in military and large-scale ceremonies while maintaining personal client relationships through social media innovation.
Mark Travis
Hearse Driver
A former Royal Tank Regiment member, Mark ensures flawless ceremonial transport logistics. He manages our vehicle fleet with military precision and contributes to local St John Ambulance youth programmes, maintaining strong community ties.
Diana Clark
Office Manager
With seven years' experience, Diana oversees administrative operations at Wild & Brierley. A former care home manager, she provides empathetic clerical support while balancing family responsibilities with her role in our leadership team.
Jack Chadderton
Part-Time Driver
A retired businessman with extensive local knowledge, Jack assists with funeral transport. His community reputation for integrity ensures families receive respectful guidance during sensitive arrangements.
Questions
What funeral service options are available?
We offer traditional cremations/burials, direct cremations, infant funerals, and pre-paid plans. Additional services include alternative hearses, floral tributes, and obituary notices.
Are your prices transparent?
Yes. Our direct cremation starts at £1,315 with clear breakdowns of third-party costs like crematorium fees. We guarantee no hidden charges.
Do you provide 24/7 support?
Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for immediate assistance with funeral arrangements or emergency inquiries.
Can I personalise funeral arrangements?
Absolutely. From music choices to unique transport options, we tailor services to reflect individual preferences and cultural requirements.
What bereavement resources do you offer?
We provide access to Sands, Cruse Bereavement, and other specialist charities, plus our CuddleCot facility for extended family time with infants.
How do pre-paid funeral plans work?
Our Golden Charter plans lock in today's prices for our services, with optional coverage for cremation/burial fees. Payment options include lump sums or instalments.
