It was in 1790, when the founder of the business, John Turnbull, began work as a cabinetmaker and undertaker on the quayside at North Shields.

Five generations of funeralcare

Back then, it was horses that provided the transport for the hearses and E Turnbull & Son Ltd also operated as successful coachbuilders and livery owners. Over the following decades, our funeral services gained an unrivalled reputation for personalised care and professionalism.

Five generations on, the horses have been replaced by a fleet of beautiful, high quality motor vehicles and the focus of the business is wholly funeral care.

Today, Turnbulls is still the same family-run firm. We have grown in size, and our premises have moved into the town of North Shields many years ago, but we still maintain the same exacting standards, individualised care and attention to detail.

Few businesses can claim to have such a long history – and we are proud of our special place in the North Shields community.

We are still a family run business with current managing director Jane Broadhead, daughter of Mr James Turnbull.