Trusted for Generations, Here When It Matters Most.
Est. 1903.
A family-run funeral service with over 120 years of care, compassion and continuity.
A Legacy Built on Care, Since 1903
Founded in East London by John Edward West and Harry Coe, West & Coe has supported local families for over a century — guided by the same values of honesty, trust and respect since day one.
Now led by the 3rd and 4th generations of the family, we continue to serve with the same deep commitment to care and tradition — always adapting, but never compromising on compassion.
The Early Years
West & Coe’s story began in 1903, when Edward John West and Harry Woolard Coe formed a partnership after years of working together as apprentice carpenters under local builder and undertaker George Pearcey. What started as a small village trade grew into Dagenham’s oldest business and funeral directors, becoming a trusted part of the community for more than 120 years.
The business began with building homes and soon expanded into funeral care, operating from The White House for more than 60 years. As Dagenham grew, West & Coe became a trusted part of community life.
Past Practices in Undertaking
In the early years, funerals were private family affairs, and most people rarely encountered an undertaker outside times of need. With many deaths occurring at home, West & Coe would carry the coffin on foot across fields and village paths, often after dark to spare the feelings of neighbours.
On the day of the funeral, Mr West arrived formally dressed to lead the family to the churchyard, sometimes hiring horses from J. Cooper & Son when required. These early traditions reflect both the practicality and dignity that shaped the company’s longstanding service.
Evolving Funeral Practices
In the early 1900s, burial was the norm, but overcrowded London cemeteries often meant several funerals were held together, with graves at places like Abney Park dug extremely deep to accommodate multiple coffins.
West & Coe carried out their first cremation in 1922, using simple softwood coffins and completing extensive paperwork. At the time, cremators were even fuelled using logs from cemetery trees — a reflection of how different funeral practices were compared to today.
A Growing Town
After the First World War, Dagenham rapidly expanded as thousands of new homes were built for returning soldiers, transforming the area from a small village into a thriving new town.
To support the growing community, West & Coe opened their first branch on Station Road, while The White House remained the company’s main base. As East End families settled in the area, they brought traditional funeral customs with them, and long journeys to London cemeteries continued to rely on horse-drawn hearses.
By the 1930s, West & Coe had introduced one of the first Daimler motor hearses, marking the gradual move away from horse-drawn funerals — a change accelerated during the Second World War.
In 1934, Jack West opened a second branch at Lodge Avenue, while his brother Coppen continued to run the building side of the business. During the war, Jack was called up for service in India, returning in 1945 to resume his role. He later recorded his life and experiences in two books, capturing both the history of the firm and Dagenham’s transformation.
Community & Growth
After the war, West & Coe purchased Becontree Cemetery (now Eastbrookend), where Jack West arranged a memorable service for German airmen. The firm continued to grow, building its first purpose-built chapel of rest in 1955 and later separating the funeral and building sides of the business.
The 1960s saw further expansion, including new premises on Parsloes Avenue and a branch on The Broadway, Rainham. In 1967, a compulsory purchase order forced the company to relocate to 630 Rainham Road South — transforming a former grocery shop into the new head office, where West & Coe remains today.
By the early 1970s, West & Coe had expanded further, acquiring A.G. Butler & Son and renaming the Hornchurch office under the West & Coe name. Around this time, Jeremy West — the third generation of the West family and now chairman — joined the business at just 16 years old.
Although Harry Coe passed away in 1950 without a successor, his name continues to be honoured as an important part of the company’s heritage.
A Modern Vision (1980–2000)
The need for larger premises led West & Coe to purchase the site at Rainham Road South, where a purpose-built funeral home — the first of its kind in Essex — opened in 1982.
The following years brought steady growth, with new premises in Aveley, expanded facilities at Rainham, a purpose-built funeral home in Grays, and an extension to the Dagenham head office.
By the 1990s, the company operated a fleet of Daimler vehicles, including a hearse and several limousines, while traditional horse-drawn funerals also experienced a renewed popularity.
Into the 21st Century
The early 2000s saw major growth for West & Coe, including the acquisition of J. Perigoe & Son and A.W. Court, expanding the company’s presence across East Sussex and Kent. In 2003, the firm celebrated its centenary with community events, a gala dinner, and a memorial service attended by hundreds.
In 2006, West & Coe launched the H.O.P.E. bereavement support programme and also became the main sponsor of Dagenham & Redbridge FC — a partnership that continues today and remains the longest-running sponsorship in Football League history.
Further expansion followed, with the purchase and transformation of the Old Bluehouse Farm in Pitsea (2008), and the arrival of Jamie West and Richard Gillanders — the fourth generation of the family — in 2010 and 2011 . In 2012 the company acquired, J. Jeffries & Son and William Deny, continuing its long tradition of serving communities with respect and care.
Still family-run; trusted by generations of local families
West & Coe continued to grow from 2016 onwards, acquiring several respected family-run funeral businesses, including H. L. Hawes in Barkingside and Chingford, followed by established firms in Harwich, Kirby Cross, Burwash, and Heathfield. Each was carefully refurbished and integrated while retaining its local identity.
Alongside this growth, West & Coe strengthened its long-standing commitment to community support through charity fundraising, local partnerships, and continued investment in quality, care, and facilities. With fourth-generation family members now involved, the company looks to the future grounded in experience, family values, and community trust.
More Than a Funeral Service - A Part of the Community
West & Coe has always been a familiar and supportive presence in the communities we serve — not just in moments of loss, but through everyday connection and shared commitment.
We proudly support:
Local sports clubs
We are proud sponsors of Dagenham & Redbridge FC and Hornchurch Cricket Club as well as local bowls clubs.
Local charities
We take great pride in supporting a variety of local charities, a commitment that deepened significantly in 2010 with the launch of our annual Charity Golf Day and numerous other events. The dedicated involvement of our staff has been pivotal in achieving an incredible milestone: raising nearly £500,000 over a decade.
Local events
We’re passionate about actively participating in local life, from sponsoring seasonal festivals to rolling up our sleeves for grassroots initiatives. We’re proud to be part of the local fabric and dedicated to supporting our community.
Words from the
Families We’ve Helped
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