Thomas Ryde & Son is a long-established funeral director serving the Belper community in Derbyshire, with roots tracing back to the 1800s when the firm of undertakers was originally situated at Bridge Foot, Belper Lane. Over the generations, the business passed through the Ryde family before being relocated to its current premises at 35 Bridge Street, Belper in 1991, and subsequently acquired by the Jepson family in 2001. Today, the firm continues to honour its rich heritage while combining traditional values with a modern approach to funeral care.
Led by funeral directors Mark Godfrey and Michelle Vickers, Thomas Ryde & Son is committed to guiding families through one of life's most difficult moments with compassion, respect, and professionalism. Their dedicated team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing support from the very first phone call through to the day of the funeral and beyond. Every service is tailored to celebrate the life of the loved one in a meaningful and personal way.
As part of the wider Jepson Funerals Limited group, Thomas Ryde & Son maintains membership with professional bodies including the NAFD and SAIF, reflecting their commitment to the highest standards of funeral service. Additional services offered include flowers, headstones, coffins, pre-paid funeral plans, and the facilitation of charitable donations in memory of the deceased.
"Mark was able to meet with us the next day after calling and spent over an hour helping us curate the perfect send off for our dad. The whole Thomas Ryde & Sons team were always on hand to answer questions and offer recommendations."
— Annie G (about Mark)
"Mark and the team handled my father's funeral with compassion and kindness through the whole process. Nothing was too much trouble and the funeral itself was professional and ran like a well oiled clock."
— David T (about Mark)
"Both Michelle and Mark have such a respectful demeanour and put you at ease at a very stressful time in your life. Nothing was too much trouble, and I know that they treated my mum with the utmost respect on her final journey."
— Karen Scott (about Mark & Michelle)
"On the day of our dad's funeral they made us feel in good hands and that we could focus on saying goodbye, while they took care of the rest. We encourage anyone and everyone to trust them in the saddest of times."
— Annie G (about Mark)
"They treated both myself and my late husband with total respect, great dignity and immense compassion. Nothing was too much trouble. They demonstrated consistently high standards in everything they did, their utter professionalism shone through."
— Alison Wetton (about Mark)
"I remember going for the first time to see mum, and wanting to kiss her, sadly being short in height, I could not reach her, but that was made possible thanks to Mark and Michelle for the ladders. Anything we wanted was there, nothing was too much trouble. Sadly I lost my mum and best friend, but one thing for sure, I have two new friends now. Thank you Mark & Michelle for being you and all you have done for us. We love you."
— julie lawson (about Mark & Michelle)
Fiona Allen
Funeral Arranger & Administrator
Fiona serves as a Funeral Arranger and Administrator at Thomas Ryde & Son, supporting families through the practical ar…
Mark Godfrey
Funeral Director
"They treated both myself and my late husband with total respect, great dignity and immense compassion. Nothing was too …"
Michelle Vickers
Funeral Director
Michelle is a funeral director at Thomas Ryde & Son, working alongside families to ensure every detail is carefully con…
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Most families arrange the funeral first. Dealing with the estate often comes next — something many people don't realise at the time.
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Practical advice on choosing a funeral director you can trust — what to look for, questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and why NAFD membership matters.
A practical, step-by-step guide to arranging a funeral in the UK — from registering the death through to the service itself, including choosing burial or cremation, selecting music and readings, and understanding what your funeral director will handle.
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate. This guide explains when it is needed, how to apply, how long it takes, and whether you need a solicitor.
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