R C Payne & Son Funeral Directors
A part of our Southampton community, since 1887
The history of R C Payne & Son Funeral Directors in Southampton.
Established by Robert Chapman Payne in 1887, R C Payne & Son has been serving the families of Southampton ever since.
Not solely a funeral directors in the early days, those working for the family business were just as likely to be found donning overalls and wallpapering the first floor landing of a local townhouse, as they were suited and booted and bearing a coffin to its final resting place.
Back in those days, traditions were also a little different, and in Bitterne, where R C Payne & Son started out, coffins were carried through the village to the church, with the cortege stopping off at each pub en route, partaking of the refreshments the hostelry had to offer before moving on again.
Keeping it in the family
Robert Chapman Payne ran the undertaker's business from his house on Commercial Street. The building was later demolished to make room for a car park at the Percy Arms public house, itself now little more than a memory.
In the 1930s, R C Payne & Son moved to 485 Bitterne Road East, where the funeral home has remained to this day. By the time of this relocation, both the founder's son and grandson were part of the business. Keeping it in the family, Robert Payne's brother also joined the funeral directors, with his own son, George, coming on board in 1946 after wartime service with the Royal Marines.
George would remain with R C Payne & Son, retiring twice, the second and final time in 2015 at the age of 90.
Two new funeral homes and R C Payne & Son today
From its jack of all trades beginnings at the family home in Bitterne, to taking care of the families of Southampton, R C Payne & Son has grown in the 130+ years it has existed. In that time, it has both expanded and, in the latter years, changed hands.
The late 1980s saw the firm sold to the Steels family, then, in 1997, two new funeral homes were opened: one in Bitterne Park and the other in Shirley. Since then the business has passed to a number of different companies, including Alderwoods and Fairways, until August 2007, when it finally found its home with Dignity.
Today, R C Payne & Son continues to thrive, providing the very best in funeral care and ensuring those who have lost a loved one can say goodbye in a dignified and meaningful way.
You can find out more about R C Payne & Son's Southampton funeral homes by selecting an image below.
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
- Accessibility
- Privacy Policy
- Cookies
- Terms of Use
- Complaints
- Site Index
- MSA Statement
- Internal Audit Charter
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.