Founded: 1690
Founders: The Field family
Currently owned by: Charles, Christine and Jeremy Field

It’s fair to say that C.P.J Field & Co Ltd has some history. The original family firm was set up in the 17th century, building coffins for use in funerals. The Field family assisted with the arrangement of funerals for high-profile figures such as Edward VII, the Duke of Wellington and Queen Victoria. By 1899 the firm was operating as JD Field and Son.

Edward Ernest Field resisted a takeover bid in 1956 from the Amalgamated Tobacco Corporation who were keen to get into the cremation market. The board then took steps to give 100 per cent of ownership back to the family. The firm was approached for a takeover again 38 years later by a US conglomerate and family ownership was lost.

The family came together and C.P.J Field & Co was launched in 2005. They now work across 30 funeral homes in the south of England and the Home Counties.