Testimonials

Please accept our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the way you and your company, and your entire team handled the funeral of my father. From the very first contact, it was clear that Beckford's approach to the arrangements meant that a load had been taken from our shoulders, and that you have developed the ability to recognise the requirements of your clients, and to put them into action. The result was a simple service, of which my late father would have approved, conducted with dignity and sympathy. Coupled with the setting, and the service performed, setting the right tone, it was as though we were led and supported through the event, which meant a great deal to us, as it allowed us to focus on the significance of the occasion, rather than its practicalities.

F.M.

Just wanted to say a very big thank you for all the help you gave us in arranging the funeral for my husband, everything was just as we wanted it to be, your kindness and sensitivity and your accessibility at all time contributed to our coping.

Mrs J. G.

Thank you for arranging our fathers funeral, without your advice and support we would never have got through this difficult situation. We are so very grateful.

S.D.B.

You took a great strain off our shoulders, your help was much appreciated. Thank you so much.

A.D.A.L. & J

Thank you for the excellent service you gave us in arranging the funeral. You showed great sensitivity and couldn’t do enough for us.

We were very impressed with all the arrangements made which made it so much easier for us all for which we are truly grateful.

M.M.

May I take this opportunity of thanking you all for your kind attention, you were all so extremely sympathetic and understanding and arranged the service so well, we are most grateful.

Mr. A.L.

Thank you so much for the help and support we received from the team at Beckfords. The service you gave was professional, caring and meticulous. You kept us informed and nothing appeared to be too much trouble.

Mrs M P.

I am amazed at the speed with which you arranged the funeral service and am impressed with your excellent service, which made the whole thing bearable for us all. I really appreciated all your hard work.

Mrs J T.

We would like to let you know how grateful we are for guiding us through the arranging of our mother’s funeral. You were very courteous, helpful and dignified. The ceremony was exactly what we asked for.

S L G.

I would like to thank you for the excellent service provided by your Company in connection with our recent bereavement. We were particularly impressed by the courteous and calm actions of the funeral director.

Mr. J. H.

Thank you very much for making such a difficult time for us so much easier with all your support, advice and efficiency. I am quite sure Dad would have been very proud of his send off! Thanks again for an excellent service.

L.D.

We would like to sincerely thank you and your colleagues so much for all the help and support shown to us during this very difficult time. We know everyone involved did their utmost in arranging to get Dad back to Guernsey as soon as possible. Thank you for taking good care of him and for making all the funeral arrangements. You really are very special people.

Mr and Mrs T.

Clem Duquemin

Proprietor

Clem Duquemin the Proprietor of Beckford’s started his training with S.A. Pedley Funeral Directors in West Yorkshire whilst an evacuee during the war. He has a lifetime experience within the field of undertaking.

After World War II when Guernsey was liberated from the Nazi Occupation Clem returned from Yorkshire and continued his undertaking business within the Island alongside his carpentry business. Later he branched out into the growing industry, growing crops of daffodils, tomatoes and later freesias. He also held the position of Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church for 36 years.

Clem merged his company with Beckford’s on the retirement of Mrs Bertha Way in 1983, who was at that time the Proprietor of Beckford’s. Clem later retired from his carpentry and growing business to concentrate solely on funeral directing.

Although Clem has retired from funeral directing he is still actively interested in Beckford’s and his advice and experience is certainly still respected.

Philip Duquemin FCA

Chairman

Philip Duquemin is the son of Proprietor Clem Duquemin. Philip is a chartered accountant by profession. He worked for KPMG in Guernsey and South Africa. He joined Nashua International (later to become NRG) in Guernsey where he was regional financial director for the international subsidiary operations before becoming managing director of NRG International in 1995 and later board member of Gestetner Holdings PLC. The NRG International operation was responsible for the European, Middle East and Africa distributor operations of Ricoh Group with offices in Guernsey, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Moscow and Dubai. NRG International became one of the most successful Ricoh companies in the group. Philip left the Group in 2007.

Phil now provides consultancy services as well as being chairman of a few local companies including Resolution IT Ltd an IT services company. He is also a member of St Saviour’s Douzaine.

Jane Duquemin

Managing Director and Funeral Director

Jane Duquemin is the daughter of Proprietor Clem Duquemin and has always had a background interest in the funeral business.

After many years working within the Finance Industry and as a Legal Secretary she took time off to raise her three children. Since 2001 she has taken a more active role within Beckford’s as Managing Director and Funeral Director.

She feels that it is one of the most rewarding occupations and being able to help a family through a difficult time gives an enormous amount of satisfaction. Jane says “Death is a natural part of the life cycle and it is a privilege being able to offer a sensitive, sympathetic and above all professional service for people in a time of need.”

Dennis Wherry

Funeral Director

Dennis Wherry joined Beckford’s as a Funeral Director after spending time serving the community as a Policeman. Prior to his time in the Police Force he spent 13 years in the Royal Air Force.

Both his experiences within the Air Force and Police Force have equipped him to become a caring Funeral Director still serving the community with empathy and professionalism.

Beckford’s receive many commendations on Dennis’s care and consideration and attention to detail.

Andy Mahy

Funeral Director

Andy Mahy joined the Company after seeking a change in career. He has gained experience in dealing with the public whilst running his own business. He conducts himself in a professional and compassionate manner whilst being sensitive to the needs of others which has been beneficial in his role as Funeral Director. He is always willing to go the extra mile in minimising the stress and anxiety of the bereaved and ensuring that their wishes and that of the deceased are respected in the conduct of the funeral.

Julie Williams

Secretary and Monumental Advisor

Beckford’s secretary is Julie Williams who has been with the firm since 1999. Julie has a very compassionate, caring nature, offering a sympathetic approach, which is apparent as the first point of contact in her capacity of telephonist and receptionist. Her duties also include support and administration which she handles with care and efficiency.

Julie has gained many years experience within the monumental side of the business, which she now oversees. She is able to advise on all aspects of providing a lasting memorial including not falling foul of local cemetery rules and regulations. Julie can also arrange renovations and alterations to existing memorials.

“Firstly may I express our profound thanks on behalf of all the family for your excellent service to us over the last couple of weeks. My sister and I are very grateful for how sensitively, efficiently and carefully you organised every last detail of our mother's funeral which really took a lot of the pressure off of us and we really felt that she was in good hands! We were very impressed with everything from the speedy response to our emergency call in the middle of the night when our mother passed away through to the prompt and friendly assistance from everyone we spoke to at Beckfords when we rang with any queries. The day itself ran extremely smoothly with exactly the correct amount of solemnity, ceremony and dignity befitting the occasion although we never felt overwhelmed by the protocol of it all as you were so good at putting us at our ease and guiding us through the whole process.”

L.P.

Testimonials

Site Map