My name is Richard and I was born in Fareham, 2 minute walk from our office and haven’t moved far since! I have been a funeral director for over 40 years. I began working for the family company in 1976 having trained in London for a year prior. I passed my Diploma in Funeral Directing in 1980. I have undertaken 3 deployments as part of Kenyan’s who attend disaster sites. I have been to aircraft crashes in Russia and Egypt to assist repatriations all over the world. I trained to become a Civil Celebrant and I still take a few services if requested. 

I’m Sally. I have been a friend of the Coghlan family for many years, my Mum was a friend of Richard’s mum back in the day. I began working for the family in 1998 as a part time secretary, eventually moving to full time once my own children were older and more independent. As Richard took over from his Father, he encouraged me to become a funeral director. I was the first female funeral director in Fareham. My picture was even put in the news! I qualified in 2004 with the NAFD, achieving my Diploma in Funeral Directing. 

I’m Tom, I moved to Fareham when I was a year old and have lived here ever since. I went off to University and returned home to settle down and start a family. We live locally and are part of the wider community. I began working here at M Coghlan in 2017, starting out in a Funeral Operative role, preparing the deceased, effecting removals, washing cars. I am now conducting funerals and looking after families during their time of grief. I gained my Diploma in Funeral Service last year, receiving the Student with the Highest Mark Award. 

My name is Georgie, I have been working at Coghlan’s since 2013. I first came here during my senior school work experience at 15 years old. I loved it so much, I never wanted to return to school. There are so many amazing aspects of this job that many do not realise. So much goes on behind the scenes to arranging a funeral. As it happened, I did finish school, college, even university and have eventually returned here to work. I began working in the office as the Admin Assistant, and when I returned from Maternity Leave, I became a funeral director. 

I am Kevin. I was born and bred in Gosport, having gone to Bridgemary Secondary School and still living locally in the area. I left school and went to college where I learnt carpentry and joinery and landed a job in the funeral business in 1987 working at EJ Crossland Ltd in Gosport, later to become M Coghlan Ltd, having been trained by Eddie Crossland himself. I took a few years working away from the funeral trade but returned as I missed the job. 

I’m Neave, and I’ve been working in the Funeral profession since I left college in 2018. I studied Health and Social Care at St Vincent College, and was lucky to come straight into a full time position as a Funeral Operative. I work in a role that has predominately been filled by males, I am the first female to do the job at this company. This role is perfect for me as I love to care for people and I always do my upmost for every single person that comes in. 

I am Sophie King née Coghlan, I’m Richard’s eldest daughter of three siblings. I joined the firm in September 2017. I work in the office part time, administering donations, answering the telephone and dealing with enquiries and booking appointments. I gained my certificate in Funeral Service earlier this year. I am also a nursey nurse; so, both jobs are a big contrast. I like to perform on stage in musicals and plays. I have two children both of whom have joined me in musical theatre.