Douch Family Funeral Directors

26/07/2025

💬 Eat & Meet Lunch – Good Food, Better Company
📅 Launch: Friday 1st August | 12:30pm – 2:30pm
📍 Wimborne Royal British Legion

Douch Family Funeral Directors, in partnership with Wimborne Royal British Legion, are delighted to launch the new Eat & Meet Club – a monthly lunch bringing people together in a warm and welcoming setting.

🍴 What to expect:
• A changing menu each month
• £9.95 per lunch (£6.95 for Legion members, a £3 subsidy from Douch & Small)
• Optional dessert available for just £2.00 extra

📆 Normally held on the last Friday of each month, but we’re starting early with a special launch on Friday 1st August.

📞 Book your place by calling Wimborne RBL: 01202 885541

Let’s meet, eat and support each other 💙

25/07/2025

🌟 Big news from the Douch Family team! 🌟

Leanne Adimi, funeral director at Lesley Shand, has been appointed President of the Bournemouth & District Association of Funeral Directors, taking over from our Managing Director Nick Douch, who served proudly for the past two years.

We’re incredibly proud to see Leanne take on this historic role, leading with passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to the profession. 👏

📰 Read more in the Bournemouth Daily Echo:

A new president has been appointed to lead long-established professional association.

22/07/2025

What an amazing day we had at the Wareham Carnival this weekend! 🎉

Our team at Albert Marsh were over the moon to be asked to provide the car for the judges. Such a lovely way to be part of the fun.

The whole day was filled with laughter, music, waving hands, and some seriously creative costumes. It’s events like this that remind us how lucky we are to be part of such a vibrant and close-knit community. ❤️

A huge thank you to the incredibly talented Cutler Photography for capturing these moments so beautifully — we’re thrilled to share just a few of them here.

📷 Can you spot any familiar faces from the Albert Marsh team? Let us know below 👇

Big cheers to everyone who helped bring the carnival to life, we’re already looking forward to next year!

18/07/2025

🌺 Blooming Blandford is in full bloom! 🌺

Lesley Shand Funeral Service are delighted to support Blandford Forum Town Council’s stunning floral displays again this year. A big thank you to the hardworking grounds team and fellow local sponsors who help bring colour and cheer to the town throughout the summer!

If your business wants to get involved, there are still a few planters available! Don’t miss this brilliant opportunity to give back and be seen! 🌼🌿

👉 Check out the post below for more details.

14/07/2025

Something a bit different last week.

At the family’s request, we arranged for this white hearse, kindly supplied by Torbay Bikers for Kids . It was a unique and meaningful choice for a very personal farewell.

Because when it comes to saying goodbye, it should feel right.

Your music. Your flowers. Your theme. Your choice.

11/07/2025

📰 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗰𝗵𝗼!

We were proud to share the news of our recent award — and now the story has been featured in the Bournemouth Daily Echo

It’s a lovely recognition of the work our team has done over generations, and we’re grateful to see it celebrated in our local paper. 💛

📖 Read the full article here:

Douch Family Funeral Directors, serving Dorset, wins Best Family Business at the 2025 Family Business United Awards for South, South West &…

01/07/2025

💙Supporting Unpaid Carers Through Bereavement

At Douch Family Funeral Directors, we’re committed to building a better journey for bereaved families in Dorset, not just at the time of need, but before and after too.

Last week, we were proud to welcome the 𝗗𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 (𝗗𝗖𝗣𝗚) to the Sheila Kendrick Suite at A E Jolliffe & Son, Ferndown.

Over 35 professionals from local health, social care, and voluntary services joined us to discuss a vital and often overlooked subject:

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭?

From the interactive “speed dating” format to the heartfelt conversations that followed, this event was about connection, compassion and listening. Values at the heart of what we do every day.

🙏 A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful guest speakers from:

Colten Care
LB Legacy Estate Services
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Douch Family
Cindy Weller

And special thanks to Emma Regan and Annabel Brown for organising such a memorable event.

💬 Events like this remind us why community matters so deeply - and why we’re proud to be part of the conversation.

27/06/2025

🌊💙 A Colourful Farewell for Alistair 💙🌊

Our team at James Smith in Swanage came together to honour the life of a wonderful young man, Alistair.

He was taken far too soon, but his memory lives on in the most beautiful way. Alistair spent time working at Swanage beach, so in his honour, our bearers swapped their usual attire for bright beach shirts and sunglasses. It was a small but meaningful tribute that reflected his love for the seaside and his vibrant spirit.

The hearse made a final journey past the Swanage seafront, and his coffin was decorated with the logos of his favourite cars. Every detail of the day was filled with care and thought to celebrate the things he loved most.

The funeral service brought everyone together in colour and in love. The congregation embraced the beach theme with matching outfits, and the room was filled with music, heartfelt singing and touching dance performances. It was a true celebration of Alistair’s passions, personality and the joy he brought to those around him.

A beautiful send off for a beautiful soul. Rest peacefully, Alistair — you will never be forgotten.

24/06/2025

🎉 Celebrating 30 Years of Dedication 🎉

We’re proud to celebrate an extraordinary milestone, Marcella McDonagh’s 30 years of service in the funeral profession, including 20 dedicated years at our Ives & Shand branch in Parkstone.

When Marcella began her career in the early '90s, she was one of only a few women entering a traditionally male-dominated industry. With passion, resilience, and a calling to serve others, Marcella has become a pillar of compassion and professionalism in our community.

Marcella’s story is one of breaking barriers, lifelong learning, and deep empathy for the families she supports. Her unwavering dedication continues to inspire us all. 💐

Please join us in congratulating Marcella on this remarkable achievement! 🙌

👇 Read her inspiring story by clicking below.

From being one of the few women in the profession to supporting thousands of families, Marcella McDonagh marks 30 years in funeral service in Dorset.

21/06/2025

🎉 Celebrating Young Talent at Corfe Mullen Carnival 🎉

We were proud to support this year’s Junior 1-Mile Race and witness some truly inspiring performances from these rising stars 🌟

🏆 Male Winners
🥇 Jack Foottit – 5:26 – Also fastest non-club runner from Corfe Mullen
🥈 Harry Samways – 5:36 – Poole Runners
🥉 Fletcher Sherren – 5:41 – Poole Runners

👟 Female Winners
🥇 Florence Robbins – 6:11 – Poole Runners
🥈 Cara Hobson & Erin Syme (Joint) – 6:24 – Poole Runners
👏 Emilia Belsey – 7:59 – Fastest non-club female runner from Corfe Mullen

It was an honour to be represented by Leanne Adimi from our Lesley Shand branch in Corfe Mullen, in presenting the awards to these incredible young athletes.

💙 Huge congratulations to all the participants!