About Ugalde & Son
Ugalde & Son is a family owned independent firm of Funeral Directors in South East Cornwall that was established in 1887. Bryan and Clyve Ugalde are currently the fifth generation of the business serving the local community and surrounding areas 24 hours a day.
Being the longest established independent family Funeral Directors in Cornwall we’re able to provide a service that cannot be matched by larger corporate firms out there.
The founder of the business was John Ignatious Ugalde son of Josef Ignacio Abrisquieta Ugalde a shipping merchant who originated from the Basque Country. John Ignatious was born in Liskeard in 1833 and became a cabinet maker. The first record of a “Ugalde” funeral was in 1887.
The longest established independent family
Funeral Directors in Cornwall
In 1898 his son Alfred John took over the running of the business and in 1930, he was commissioned to build the pulpit in Liskeard Methodist Church, an amazing piece of craftsmanship which we still admire to this day. Following his retirement, Alfred’s son John continued with the funeral duties whilst still running the carpentry business.
In 1967 it was the turn of John’s son Trelawney who as a master carpenter himself, was handed the responsibility of developing the business. He did this with his wife Ann by producing the next generations of Ugalde Funeral Directors, three boys, called Bryan, Kevyn and Clyve.
Trelawney’s reputation for a caring attitude, dry Cornish wit and commitment to carrying out funerals for the local community meant that there was only ever going to be one outcome for the family business. Sadly Kevyn died in 1992 aged 21 leaving Clyve and Trelawney to continue with the business together.
Following this tragic event Bryan, who was principle percussionist in the Royal Artillery Woolwich Band, left the army and came back to Liskeard to join the firm as a trainee Funeral Director.
Trelawney passed away in 2008 leaving a wonderful legacy of care behind him. It is with the family values that have been instilled over the past four generations that Bryan and Clyve approach each funeral today. Every family will benefit from our unrivalled experience which continues to care for the communities across the whole of South East Cornwall.
