I’m proud to say I’m the 10th generation to run this independent family business. I joined Harwood Park as assistant manager in 1998 and took over the role of managing director when my late father, John, retired in 2001. Since then, I’ve led us to win 13 business awards including the FSB Service Excellence Award, and in 2012 I was named National Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year.
I’m Claire’s husband and have been responsible for the day-to-day running of Harwood Park Crematorium since 2001. I was previously employed by the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, where I served as a fingerprint expert for 26 years.
I’ve been at Harwood Park since 1998. I deal with all aspects of funeral administration, such as music arrangements and memorial plots. I also meet bereaved families to help them with their choice of memorial tribute and conduct burials and scatterings of ashes. It’s very satisfying to help people during a time of great sadness and to help make everything here go as smoothly as possible for them.
I started at Harwood Park in 1997, the year that it opened. As a qualified crematorium technician, I oversee the maintenance, repair and upkeep of the cremators as well as undergoing other duties such as looking after the plots and memorials within the grounds.
Kevin is the Head of Grounds at Harwood Park Crematorium. He started his career in the grounds care industry fresh out of school at 16 years old, and has now amassed almost 20 years' experience. Harwood Park Crematorium offers a beautifully calming environment to remember loved ones who have passed away, and Kevin is proud to head up the team that provides the setting for this. In his spare time he is a keen angler, and occasional golfer.
Kath forms part of a team in the office at Harwood Park, where her role is both administrative and compassionate. She works closely with bereaved families as well as funeral directors, ministers and civil celebrants. Kath’s background is in customer service – including 10 years working in the call centre of a bank – and can honestly say that working at Harwood Park has given her the most job satisfaction.
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Malcolm is one of the groundsmen at Harwood Park Crematorium. His Grounds care career spans an impressive 39 years, working at various sites and in a multitude of positions. Malcolm is a keen Bowls player, representing club and county.
Arlen is member of the grounds department at Harwood Park Crematorium. His previous employment saw him undertake the care of gardens and sports pitches, providing him with invaluable knowledge and experience that he has brought to his employment at Harwood Park Crematorium. He is a keen Tottenham fan and a general sport all-rounder.
Prior to starting here in 2009, I worked at the prestigious Brocket Hall In Welwyn Garden City where I became the head green keeper of The Nick Faldo Institute (my claim to fame is keeping the most moles off the immaculately-kept greens!). At Harwood Park, you’ll find me in all weathers working in the grounds. I love tending the memorial gardens, ensuring that they maintain an atmosphere of calm and reassurance in the peaceful open countryside.
The price of funerals has risen over the years*, and many people prefer to make provision for the cost now. The Hertfordshire Funeral Plan is a pre-payment funeral plan exclusive to Austin’s Funeral Directors.
Find out more.
*Royal London, National Funeral Cost Index report, August 2020.
5-star Google review for Harwood Park Crematorium
What a wonderful place, my father was cremated there, the service was just so perfect in every way. The staff were amazing, dad would have been so proud, thankyou to everyone.