Celebrating 40 Years of Compassionate Care

This year, Darwen Funeral Service is celebrating an important milestone – 40 years of providing compassionate funeral services to the people of Darwen. Still a family-owned business, its journey began back in 1986 when Marco Lysiuk, on his 30th birthday, made the bold decision to leave his job at Coop Funeral Services and start his own venture. Since then, Marco and his wife, Sheila, have helped thousands of families through one of life’s most difficult moments, ensuring that each loved one is given a fitting farewell.

“We started with just a small premises,” recalls Sheila. “And we’ve just grown and grown. We’re probably the principal funeral directors in Darwen now.” Their growth has been driven not just by their dedication but also by the community’s trust in their ability to deliver personalised, respectful funerals that honour the wishes of both the deceased and their families.

Marco and Sheila are both highly qualified, bringing a wealth of experience to their roles. Marco holds a Diploma in Funeral Directing and is a member of the British Institute of Embalmers. At the same time, Sheila is a fully qualified funeral director with decades of experience in organising funeral services across Darwen and the surrounding areas. This expertise allows them to offer a full range of funeral services tailored to each family’s unique needs.

Losing a loved one can be overwhelming, and navigating the complexities that follow a bereavement only adds to the strain. Darwen Funeral Services is committed to making this process as simple as possible for grieving families. From liaising with coroners, hospitals, doctors, and ministers to handling necessary paperwork, the team takes care of all the logistics so families can focus on saying goodbye. As Sheila explains, “We try to make it as stress-free as possible for the families. We deal with everything from posting the obituary to arranging the funeral itself.”

When it comes to the funeral arrangements, Darwen Funeral Services works closely with families to ensure every detail aligns with the deceased’s wishes. Whether it’s selecting the right vehicles, choosing between coffins, caskets, or urns, or deciding on floral tributes and memorials, the team makes sure that everything is catered to the individual’s preferences and budget. “We can provide everything from a standard funeral where somebody doesn’t want a service to a full funeral package,” Sheila says. “This morning, we had a horse-drawn funeral for a young person. Some people now go for willow coffins and want to consider the environment.”

“From the moment we get that initial call, we try to guide people through the process.”

Sheila notes how funerals have evolved since the early days of the business. “When my husband started the business, funerals in general tended to be very simple, but nowadays, there’s so much more we can offer, and there are more options for families to get involved. From photo tributes to livestreaming the memorial service, we’ve come a long way.” Whether a family wants a grand send-off or prefers a more understated affair, Darwen Funeral Services is there to support and guide them through every step.

Despite the modern advancements in funeral services, the team remains dedicated to providing what Sheila calls “the personal touch.” She emphasises the importance of building a relationship with each family they work with: “From the moment we get that initial call, we try to guide people through the process. On the day of the funeral, you will have the person that you’ve been talking to throughout the process. It will not be a stranger.”

“Families know that when they entrust us with the funeral arrangements.”

Sheila believes that this personal connection makes a significant difference, particularly during such an emotional time. “All families have their quirks and deal with losing a loved one differently, so it helps that we get to know them so we can support them properly. Whereas with a big company, it may be completely impersonal,” she explains. “We put our heart and soul into dealing with the family, and we often take people from the place of losing somebody right through to the funeral. We feel very honoured and privileged to have been able to do that.”

The personal care provided by Darwen Funeral Services is reflected in the many recommendations and heartfelt thank-you cards they receive. “We get most of our business from recommendations – we have hundreds and hundreds of thank-you cards,” Sheila says with a smile. These cards testify to the compassion, dedication, and attention to detail that the team puts into every service. Families know that when they entrust us with the funeral arrangements, their loved one’s memory will be honoured in the best way possible.

In addition to organising funerals, Marco and Sheila also continue to support families after the funeral is over. They can offer guidance on handling the deceased’s affairs, provide bereavement counselling, or signpost families to other resources that may help them during the grieving process. This ongoing support is just another way Marco and Sheila go above and beyond to serve their community.

As Darwen Funeral Service celebrates 40 years in the business, it’s clear that its success is built on a foundation of compassion, professionalism, and personal dedication. With its 24-hour contact line, it remains committed to helping families through every stage of the funeral process, ensuring that each farewell is as unique and special as the person being remembered.

For those looking to arrange a funeral or seek advice, call 01254 873618 or click here: Darwen Funeral Service

NorthernLife Dec/Jan/Feb 24/25