About

A. G. Down Funeral Directors in Bridport was established by Arthur Down on his return from World War II and sold to Eric Dunford in 1979. Eric was joined by his wife, Joyce, in 1985. Eric was born in Bridport and Joyce in the Marshwood Vale; both have strong connections within the local communities. They were joined by Joyce’s son, Julian Hussey in the early nineties, after he had gained his Diploma in Funeral Directing and having worked in the Funeral Profession in various parts of the country.

Having worked closely with W. G. Potter in Axminster, the family purchased this business on the 1st January 1992. At that time the Funeral Director at W. G. Potter was helping Overmass & Chapple in Seaton as their Funeral Director was unwell. The owners wished to sell the business and the three combined in May 1992. When Laurence Richards retired he wished for the name S. J. Richards & Son, Colyton to continue its association with the Funeral Business. We helped him to achieve this by incorporating the name alongside that of Overmass & Chapple.

Julian & Karen met whilst studying to become members of the British Institute of Embalmers, as she was working as a Funeral Director in Hampshire at the time. They married in 1995 and after raising their children, Karen joined the firm on a full time basis. In spring 1999 contact was made by the owners of E. A. Dodd & Son in Honiton who wished to sell their business and this was completed on the 1st June 1999. 

Having helped many families with the Otter Valley, it became apparent that we needed to offer families a Funeral Home in Ottery St. Mary. Under the established name of E. A. Dodd & Son we opened here in December 2016.

We are fortunate to have been joined by Funeral Director, Jerry Parkhouse in January 2012. Jerry was born in Exeter and brought up in Exmouth. He has an extensive background of over 30 years in the funeral industry and is well known in the local area.

In 2013, A. G. Down began a partnership with Matthew Lucas, opening premises in Poundbury, Dorchester. Matt has been involved in the Funeral Industry for over 25 years.

In 2019, local Funeral Director, Darren Holt, joined the team at A. G. Down. Darren is an experienced Funeral Director who obtained his BIFD Diploma in Funeral Services in 2016 and is well known in the local community.

Both Julian and Karen’s children, Jasmine and George, have joined the business, ensuring that the family’s care continues into the future.

Jasmine joined the family business on a full-time basis in December 2022 after working part time for a number of years, whilst working at The Melplash Show.

Having worked with the family for a year and a half, George then spent a year expanding his experience working for a well-respected Funeral and Repatriation Company in Croydon. He re-joined the family business in July 2022 and gained his Diploma in Funeral Directing in December 2022.