ALTON funeral directors Kemp & Stevens has been making plans to secure the business long into the future by putting the next generation at the helm.

By handing over the reins to their sons, Geoff and Gill Thorne believe the family business will continue to grow while improving services to meet the demands of a modern world.

Located at the junction of Butts Road with Alton High Street, there has been an undertaker in this location since the 1800s. But it wasn’t until 1943 that the Thorne family became involved, when Ron Thorne joined Gerry Stevens as an apprentice.

It was to be the start of a lifetime of dedication for Ron who took control of Kemp & Stevens following the death of Mr Stevens in 1961 and ran the firm with the help of his wife, Sue.

In 1974, the couple were joined by their son, Geoff, who had completed extensive training in London, with his wife Gill joining them in 1979. Their two sons, Michael and Robin, joined the business in the late 1990s.

Geoff, Gill, Michael and Robin have all studied for and hold the National Association of Funeral Directors’ diploma in funeral directing and are all licensed members of the British Institute of Funeral Directors.

Both Geoff and Gill have served the institute as chairman of the Wessex region. Robin later served as chairman for the southern area of the association, a position held by his grandfather in previous years.

In more recent years Geoff has taken the business into pastures new, opening new branches in Whitehill and Wrecclesham under the name of Thorne-Leggett, leaving Gill and their sons to run the Alton Funeral Home under the watchful eye of Ron and Sue.

Since the death of Ron in the autumn of 2014 the family have continued to serve the community in exactly the same way as they always have, while striving to move forward to secure the future of the business.

Gill said: “The family are proud to announce that Robin and Michael are now at the forefront of running the business. Robin will continue in his role as the principle funeral director, with Michael looking after the monumental masonry department. They are both, together with their dedicated staff, committed to serving the community of Alton and surrounding villages.”

Mrs Thorne will still be very much involved in funeral arranging and looking after clients who wish to discuss their funeral wishes in advance. And both Geoff and Sue will still be on hand when needed.

Gill said: “Changes have been made to reflect the modern world and improve the services we can offer locally and further afield while still retaining old-fashioned values. Every facility is here in Alton, from chapels of rest and a coffin workshop to a fleet of funeral vehicles.

“There is great pride in Kemp & Stevens being one of the longest-serving businesses in the High Street, still owned and run by the same family.”