About us

Founded in 1932 by the late James Turnbull Cockburn, the company was one of thirteen Independent Funeral Directors in the Historical Burgh of Govan. Today we are the only Independent Family Owned Funeral Directors still operating in this area.

James Cockburn continued to work in the business up until his retiral in 1974. In 1972 he was joined by his nephew, Jim Henshelwood, who took over the running of the business when James retired. Now in the third generation of the family, Jim was joined in 2000 by his son Gavin, who in 2011 succeeded him by assuming the position of Managing Director.

Over the years the business has continued to grow with the original premises completely renovated and expanded in 1984. With the substantial addition of separate mortuary, workshop, and garage facilities completed in 2002, this allowed a further major renovation of the funeral home to take place in 2003, giving us facilities today which are second to none.

Facilities and Services

Our comfortable modern funeral home in Govan is designed to allow clients to meet with the funeral director to discuss funeral arrangements for their loved one in complete privacy within one of our private arrangement rooms. We also offer a private rest room for families and friends to pay their last respects, and a service room seating up to fifty people where the funeral service or small family gatherings can be held. The service room is fully equipped with an organ and facilities for pre-recorded music to be played. Our premises are fully accessible to the disabled and served by a large open plan reception area allowing families and friends to meet prior to the funeral. We offer a 24 hour telephone service seven days a week.

At a separate local location we have state of the art mortuary facilities ensuring that your loved one is properly cared for during their time in our care.

Arranging a Funeral

Funeral arrangements can be a very complex procedure which many of us have never encountered before. It is important to remember that every funeral and the circumstances surrounding it is different, therefore the procedures that have to be completed can be vastly different in each case. It is important to make contact with the funeral director as soon as possible following the death to discuss your requirements and to ensure that the correct action is being taken at the right time.

One of our funeral directors will meet with you either in the funeral home or in your own home to discuss the arrangements with you, and he will be responsible for ensuring that every aspect of the arrangements is carried out according to your wishes, through to the point of being there on the day personally to conduct and oversee the funeral ceremony itself at a time mutually agreeable to all parties involved. He will also provide advice on registration of the death and other legal procedures which have to be followed

Stonemasonry

We work closely with a local craftsman who can manufacture and erect a lasting memorial of your choice in any cemetery. We are also able to arrange for additional inscriptions to be added to existing stones and for any maintenance work that may be required. Please discuss your requirements with our funeral director who will be happy to get a quote for your requirements.

Our online brochure can be viewed at the link below – please note that this is not exhaustive and the sculptor will be pleased to discuss your own ideas with you.

Trading Since

1932