The Sun
11
Trusted in Marlborough Marlboroughfor forgenerations generations Trusted by Returning to the Sowman family-named business Alistair Sowman worked for the family business 30 years ago. Now he is back, joined by his wife Thelma.
Alistair and Thelma Sowman.
Alistair started working at Geoffrey T Sowman’s for his parents at age 18. “It’s sort of turning back the clock, as it were”. Thelma describes it as “like coming home”. After retiring last year as Mayor of Marlborough, Alistair decided to return to the funeral industry. “I’ve always had a passion for it”. “Like many of the staff (several who were born here), they have a long association with the Marlborough community. “There have been changes” he says. “Cremations are now predominant. In the early days, the majority of funerals were in churches, now they’re in chapels or other venues. There is a greater use of celebrants now. Funerals used to be very traditional, run by the book; now they’re a lot more diverse”. Thelma says services are more relaxed, with people’s memories coming to the fore. “They are much more a celebration of the person’s life now”. Alistair says the funeral business is all about people and empathy. “I certainly got good lessons from my parents when I started. It’s about listening and understanding people’s needs”.
The tastefully-redecorated Mayfield Chapel has the facilities of webcasting, multimedia and a full sound system. Also available is a ‘hearing loop’ which assists those with loss of hearing. The Chapel, family room and arrangement offices offer a “really warm, inviting and calm environment” manager Barry Holmwood says. “The community is welcome to visit us, have a chat and a look around. We have coffee and tea facilities if people wish to call in – we are a friendly team here”. The facilities are surrounded by established gardens. The adjacent catering facility, the Sowman Lounge, is accessed via a peaceful and tranquil walk through a planted pathway including roses, ferneries and a magnificent Elm tree, where birds flitter about and their dulcet chirping can be heard. Sowman’s staff have suffered personal loss also and endured the same emotions. They walk the journey with families to create a farewell service that will befit the departed loved one and will work towards leaving only good memories of a sad time.
Facilities upgraded Geoffrey T Sowman Funeral Directors carried out a revamp of its facilities recently to create a ‘refreshed’ look throughout. The Mayfield Chapel, which seats up to 160, has the facilities of webcasting, multimedia displays and full sound system. New carpet, drapes and paint has given the space a really ‘warm, inviting and calm feel’, manager/funeral director Barry Holmwood says. “This has also been carried through the adjacent family room and arrangement offices, creating very relaxing environment. The Mayfield Chapel.
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Friday April 21, 2017
The Family Room.