Throughout the next few months, Grassby & Sons will be introducing you to some of their local Funeral Directors from Dorchester and Weymouth.

This month it is the turn of the original funeral branch, Grassby Funeral Service in Dorchester.

There are three Funeral Directors in Dorchester who look after families in the town and the surrounding area.

Firstly, Peter Grassby who, alongside his role as Funeral Director is also a Director of the company.

Peter started initially working on the memorial masonry side of the business when he joined in 1987 after leaving his role in banking. He then moved over to funeral directing. Peter has been involved with a number of local clubs and community groups over the years including Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary and Dorchester Rugby Club.    

(Image: Grassby & Sons)

Secondly, Nick Grassby who joined the business in 2017 and trained as a Funeral Director before also becoming a Director in 2021.

Nick grew up in Dorchester and attended the Thomas Hardye School where he is now the Chairman of the Hardyeans Club. Nick studied Law at university and qualified as a Solicitor, working at HK Law in Dorchester before joining the family business. Nick has also been involved with local community groups including Age UK, Dorchester Round Table and Dorchester BID.

From left to right, Nick Grassby, Peter Grassby, Andrew Fooks.From left to right, Nick Grassby, Peter Grassby, Andrew Fooks. (Image: Grassby & Sons)

Finally, Andrew Fooks who also joined Grassby Funeral Service in 1987. Andrew has been working in the funeral industry for over 30 years and was initially trained by Clinton Grassby. He has a Diploma of Funeral Directing and is a member of the British Institute of Funeral Directing. Andrew was born and bred in Dorchester and is a member of the British Legion.

Grassby Funeral Service is part of Grassby & Sons Ltd. The company was founded in Dorchester by Benjamin Grassby a stone carver, in 1861.

The family stonemasonry business continued down through the generations of the Grassby family, and in 1970, Clinton Grassby opened Grassby Funeral Service in Princes Street, Dorchester.

Clinton Grassby, Founder of Grassby Funeral Service.Clinton Grassby, Founder of Grassby Funeral Service. (Image: Grassby & Sons)

Clinton’s sons David, Andrew and Peter joined the business as the fifth generation, and David’s son Nick and Peter’s son William then both joined as the sixth generation.

Over the years, Grassby & Sons have acquired other funeral businesses across Dorset and Devon and have continued to provide a local family run service to families in those areas.

All branches are supported by the masonry works at Grassby Memorials located just outside Dorchester in the village of Grimstone.

All branches are members of NAFD (National Association of Funeral Directors) and SAIF (National Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors).

For more information please visit www.grassby-funeral.co.uk