About Us

    About Doves Funeral Directors

    Doves Funeral Directors was founded by second-generation Funeral Director Sean Costello in the 1980’s, with the first premises in Bromley.

    Doves Funeral Directors quickly established a local reputation for empathy and experience in supporting the community in planning funerals for loved ones and soon expanded the business across Kent. Many of the team at Doves are continuing a family history of funeral directing.

    We have conveniently located funeral homes in Ashford, Larkfield, Maidstone, Orpington, Sevenoaks, Sittingbourne, Staplehurst, Swanley and Bromley and are proud to serve the people in those communities of many different cultures and faiths, as well as those with no religious beliefs.

    The teams across Kent will provide advice at every stage of the funeral planning process, and will arrange an individual and unique funeral to help you celebrate the life of your loved one.

    Here at Doves Funeral Directors we also offer an affordable prepaid funeral plan, Choice, so that you can arrange and pay for a funeral in advance.

    If you would like to talk to us about planning a funeral, or our Choice plan, please come and see us in any of our funeral homes, or if you’d rather we can arrange a home visit. We’re also available 24 hours a day on the phone so if you need anything please don’t hesitate to call your local funeral home.

    Latest Reviews

    Google

    Great service from start to finish. Rose is very caring. Bill was patient and kind. Celebrant Sacha was perfect and went above and beyond to tell Wayne's story. Excellent so glad Wayne chose this Funeral Directors.…

    Sam Noronha

    Google

    Doves funeral went above and beyond and done a fantastic service for my mum . Jennie from the larkfield branch was of great help in putting everything together for us and making mums day memorable The white horses and carriage was amazing Thank you to…

    Jason Pratt

    Google

    So glad we acted upon the recommendation to use Doves to organise our Mums funeral. At such a distressing time they provided an effortless, efficient and professional service. A big thank you to Rose for her compassion, advice and kindness throughout the whole process, and…

    Wayne Masters

    Google

    Doves at Maidstone have been so very supportive throughout the funeral organisation, for our Mum, Dorothy Doreen. Mum was our world and Doves made the process so very special. Jackie in the office and Chris, the funeral director guided us through a very emotional time.…

    Ann Gibb

    Google

    A massive thank you to Karen at Doves in Orpington. At a time that no one expects to happen, Karen was there from day one. The whole process was made easier knowing she was there when needed. From beginning to the very end Karen made…

    Ian Boorman

    Google

    Jackie in the Maidstone branch went above and beyond to accommodate our requests for a truly personalised funeral. From the beginning, Jackie welcomed us with kindness and compassion, explaining and advising on every step of the process so we could organise a memorable day for…

    Gina Hopkins

    Google

    Thank you to Rose at Doves, for supporting us through a very difficult time in providing a wonderful send off for our Mum.

    Victoria W

    Google

    During such a difficult time for our family, your team provided not only professional service but also genuine compassion and care. Every detail was handled with sensitivity and respect, which brought us great comfort. We were especially grateful for Jackie Barlow, who was incredibly supportive…

    Maria Skinner

    Google

    Karen was very friendly and made us feel at ease with excellent information and suggestions, Bill and his team were very professional and waited after the funeral patiently. The coffin we chose was presented lovely and the Pastor Jill Hardy pretend a lovely service. Doves…

    William Johns

    Google

    Thank you to Doves and Rose our funeral arranger and Doves staff at the Crematorium on the day of my mother's funeral . I would also like to thank Rose , in particular, for her support up to the day assisting me through the process…

    Roger weale

    Meet the Team

    Christopher Minter

    Senior Funeral Director

    Christopher has worked for Funeral Partners since 2022, having previously worked as a General Manager for a Ford Motor Company.

    He enjoys most about his role: “meeting, helping and supporting our families”.

    He is a local football referee and a Tottenham Hotspurs season ticket holder. He also enjoys cycling, MTB & road bike cycling.

    Laura Rainsford

    Funeral Director

    Laura joined T W Boorman in spring of 2023, having previously worked with Kent Libraries, Registration and Archives for ten years. In her free time, she describes herself as “a Bookaholic (or Bibliophile, to use the posh word!)” and will go through at least one book per week. About her work, she says “it’s so rewarding to know that, with the team here, I can help families at their toughest times.”

    Julie King

    Funeral Arranger – Sittingbourne

    Julie has worked at Doves Funeral Directors since 2011. She is local to Sittingbourne, where she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

    Cheryl Cox

    Funeral Arranger/Administrator (Sevenoaks)

    Cheryl joined Doves Funeral Directors in 2016 having previously worked in insurance, where she dealt with Theft Claims. Working in that position led her to working with people at a very vulnerable time, which was very challenging.
    She says “I enjoy all aspects of my job, as I enjoy meeting new people and building great relationships with our families, giving them all the support and guidance, they need at a very difficult time. I find that the job is very rewarding as I feel it’s a privilege when I get to help families remember their loved ones in their own special way”.
    Cheryl completed Race for Life 10k Run in July 2018 in Maidstone Mote Park with a time of 1 Hour and 30 Minutes on one of the hottest days of the year!

    Kayleigh Harris

    Funeral Arranger (Maidstone)

    Kayleigh joined Funeral Partners in June 2022, having previously worked for Kent County Council for 15 years.
    She said: “It is a privilege to be able to support families at this difficult time. I try and make the process as smooth as possible and help my families to give their loved ones the send-off they deserve.”

    Kayleigh has climbed Ben Nevis and Snowdon. She enjoys long walks with her Husband and two dogs.
    She danced for 21 years doing Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Street, Disco, Modern and Zumba.

    Jennie Ollive

    Funeral Arranger

    Jennie previously worked in the motor trade for 20 years before working in HR for a care company.

    She enjoys meeting families and being able to support and guide them through the funeral arrangements.

    “I live locally and am proud to support the community and build relationships with families at their time of need”

    Karen Colman

    Funeral Arranger (Orpington)

    My name is Karen Colman. 

    I have been a funeral arranger with Funeral Partners since 2022. I spent the first 20 months as a mobile funeral arranger, covering 8 branches in the Southeast London area. 

    I covered Doves for 5 months in 2023, before becoming the permanent arranger in August 2024. 

    Before I became a funeral arranger I worked in care for many years, working originally with the elderly and physically disabled, before moving to a residential children’s home caring for young people with mental, emotional and physical disabilities. 

    In 2022 I decided it was time for a career change. 

    I wanted to make a difference in a different way to which I had always done in my care roles. 

    I realised that funeral arrangements should be about what the families want, and I decided to try and make a difference, help others feel listened to and offer bereaved families the service I believe we all deserve. 

    I always listen to my clients wants and needs, I advise when required and generally try to make the whole process as easy as possible for my families. 

    I find this role to be the most rewarding of all jobs I have done. 

    Rose Fairweather

    Funeral Arranger

    The best parts of being a funeral arranger is that I get to show kindness, especially when people are at their most vulnerable.  

    It is an honour to look after the families and their loved ones, and I strive to make sure that their loved ones have the best service from me and my team.  

    Our Values

    Pride

    We take pride in everything we do. Our aim is that everyone who works for Funeral Partners shares our values.

    Helping People

    Our business exists to help the bereaved to make fitting arrangements for their loved one’s last journey and to provide lasting memories for family and friends.

    Respect for everyone

    We value diversity and treat everyone with the same respect, courtesy and dignity.

    Professional Standards

    We are a professional organisation and we strive to achieve the highest possible standards in everything we do and to improve upon these standards continuously.

    Accept responsibility

    We accept responsibility for our actions both as a company and as individuals.

    Partnership

    We believe that we can only achieve our goals by working together in partnership with client families, suppliers and our employees.

    Our locations

    We're available 24 hours 365 days a year

    Call 01233 643 000 visit branch or arrange a home visit