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William Purves (Funeral Directors) Ltd is a family-run funeral business with a proud heritage spanning five generations, founded in Edinburgh in 1888 by William Purves. What began as a joinery and cabinet-making business in Marchmont has grown into one of Scotland's most respected funeral companies, with its registered office and principal branch at Oakvale Funeral Home, 106 Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh. The business has remained in the Purves family throughout its history, passing through successive generations and continuously expanding its services and reach across Scotland and northeast England.
The Edinburgh branch offers a comprehensive range of funeral services, including both burial and cremation options, personalised funeral arrangements, repatriation services, and support with flowers, transport, and catered celebrations. The team assists families with every aspect of the process, from writing newspaper notices for publications such as the Edinburgh Evening News and The Scotsman, to online obituary listings and social media guidance.
William Purves is a member of both the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), reflecting their commitment to professional standards and compassionate care. They also offer pre-paid funeral plans with fixed director fees, as well as free Plan of Wishes services to help families prepare for the future.
"The gentleman who gave me my Mum's ashes and helped me with the small bit of paperwork was friendly, empathetic and professional. I have had only good experiences with all of the staff of William Purves."
— David Gilmour
"The team at William H Purves did an exceptional job of guiding our family through a difficult time and making it as stress-free as possible. The day of the funeral could not have gone more smoothly and struck exactly the tone we were all looking for."
— Craig Simpson
"The attention to detail and the empathy from all their staff was outstanding. Organising a funeral is emotional and stressful. Purves assisted throughout, providing useful support and advice. I would recommend them without hesitation."
— Gavin Collinson
"Graeme has been so reassuring, helpful & compassionate in dealing with all the arrangements for my dad's funeral. Would highly recommend trusting your loved ones to William Purves' care."
— Valerie Bruce (about Graeme)
"The professionalism, responsiveness and personal touch from our funeral director, Rohan Hepburn, and the whole team was hugely appreciated and ensured a perfect send off for our father."
— Craig Simpson (about Rohan Hepburn)
"The care and compassion that the team at William Purves showed our family when conducting the funeral of my late father was nothing short of flawless. Nothing was too much trouble for them and we were treated with compassion, dignity and respect at every stage. Thank you for standing with us - we truly appreciated having you conduct this funeral for us."
— Niels Calvert
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Question of 3
Did the person who died own a property?
Including any property in their name, even if jointly owned.
Were there savings, investments, or other assets?
Bank accounts, shares, pensions, or valuables above a few thousand pounds.
Was there a will?
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Serving families in EDINBURGH and the surrounding area
