F M & J Wait Funeral Directors
The history of our Staffordshire funeral directors
Established in the Early 1800s
Frank Martin and John Wait were carpenters and cabinet makers in Lichfield when they first opened their funeral home over 200 years ago.
As was often the case, an opportunity presented itself to the carpenters to undertake a funeral for a local family as Lichfield during the time did not have a funeral director.
Realising the community needed one, they arranged for stabling and carriages and established their first funeral home, F M & J Wait Funeral Directors at 25 Bird Street. The horses were kept nearby on Lombard Street.
Notable Funerals
Every family in our care is precious to us and whilst we treat every one with the same respect, there have been a few funeral services that have been special the wider.
The Canons and Bishops of Lichfield are revered by the larger community and we are honoured to have organised funeral services for them.
Stephen Sutton, the teenage who raised funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, inspired many across the country. A public vigil was held in Lichfield Cathedral where many turned up to pay their respect, followed by a private family funeral the next day.
Modern Day Funeral Directors
Our funeral home on Bird Street started out as the Unicorn Public House and is now a Grade 1 listed building. The original beams, fireplace, wooden frame and the staircase built from ships timber are all still intact, as well as the stoke porcelain signage on the front of the building.
As the company grew, an additional funeral home was opened in 2013 to help the families nearby in Tamworth.
F M & J Wait Funeral Directors has been passed down five generations of the Wait family, whilst continuing to provide funeral care services with kindness, compassion and respect to all.
Our locations
Supporting you along the way
We understand that there is a lot to think about, so if you do need assistance with your loved one's funeral arrangements, our funeral experts will offer you all the support you need.
What to do when someone dies
It’s perfectly normal to be unsure of what you need to do following the death of a loved one. These step-by-step guides will carefully explain everything you need to when someone dies, helping you through each stage of the process.
Planning a funeral
Our guides on planning a funeral will ensure your loved one's send off is a personal and unique celebration of their life. We will explain how our Funeral Directors will help you plan a funeral service and support you at every stage.
The day of the funeral
This guide will explain what happens at a funeral; including the funeral procession, funeral service, committal service and the wake. We will be here to help you through every step of the journey.
Head Office
4 King Edwards Court,
King Edward Square
Sutton Coldfield,
West Midlands, B73 6AP
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Calls are recorded for monitoring and quality purposes. All calls made to 0800 and 0808 numbers are free of charge whether made from a landline or mobile phone. Dignity Funerals Limited is a company registered in England No. 00041598. VAT registered No. 486 6081 14. Registered office: 4 King Edwards Court, King Edwards Square, Sutton Coldfield B73 6AP. Dignity Funerals Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under Firm Reference Number 967130. Please note that the selling and administering of funeral plans is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), however if you are purchasing a funeral without a funeral plan this will not be covered by FCA regulation.