Andrew Smith Funeral Directors named Most Compassionate Funeral Directors at the Scottish Enterprise Awards 2023

A LOCAL business has won a national award for its outstanding customer service.

Andrew Smith Funeral Directors, based at 17 Tytler Street, Forres has been named ‘Most Compassionate Funeral Directors’ at the Scottish Enterprise Awards 2023.

A spokesperson for the organisers SME News said: “We send our warmest wishes on your well-deserved success. We hope the award gives you a great boost throughout 2023 and onward!”

Andrew Smith Funeral Directors prides itself in being a professional but friendly business, offering caring services and guidance. Their premises on Tytler Street has rest rooms and a chapel seating 150, offering various funeral services including religious and non-religious burials and cremations.

Andrew Smith also provides traditional and eco-friendly coffins, and can organise floral tributes, order of service sheets and funeral teas and pre-paid golden charter funeral plans.

Three full-time members of staff and a pool of part-time chauffeurs ensure the business is available to customers 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

Andrew Smith Funeral Directors opened with a new name in 2003, the previous one being James Smith and Sons.

Owner Mr Smith said: “My family connection to the industry goes back to 1801 when my great-great grandfather was a carpenter, joiner, cabinet and coffin manufacturer. He had 200 colleagues at one time!

“We now organise around 80 to 100 funerals per year.”

Started in 2017, the Scottish Enterprise Awards honours the outstanding achievements of business. Alongside open nominations, SME News employs a research team to identify and analyse businesses deserving of recognition, considering factors including performance, innovation, market presence, customer service, and commitment to excellence. An impartial panel of five judges includes a veteran academic leader versed in research, fact-checking and mediation.

“To be nominated for an award was pleasing,” said Mr Smith, “but to win was immensely satisfying. This recognition proves what a highly professional outfit we have. We’re always professional, dignified and local.

“Thank you to those who nominated us!”

Mr Smith works alongside fully qualified hair stylist Liz McKandie and her daughter Kelly, a former employee of the care home profession.

He finished: “I’ve been in the funeral industry for 40 years so the three of us make for a perfect blend.”

For more information call 01309 674383.

A LOCAL business has won a national award for its outstanding customer service.

Andrew Smith Funeral Directors has been named 'Most Compassionate Funeral Directors' at the Scottish Enterprise Awards 2023.

A spokesperson for the organisers SME News said: "We send our warmest wishes on your well-deserved success. We hope the award gives you a great boost throughout 2023 and onward!"

Andrew Smith Funeral Directors prides itself in being a professional but friendly business, offering caring services and guidance.

Their premises on Tytler Street has rest rooms and a chapel, offering various funeral services including religious and non-religious burials and cremations. Andrew Smith also sells traditional and eco-friendly coffins, and can organise floral tributes, order of service sheets and funeral teas.

Three full-time members of staff and a pool of part-time chauffeurs ensure the business is available to customers 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

Andrew Smith Funeral Directors opened with a new name in 2003, the previous one being James Smith and Sons.

Mr Smith said: "My family connection to the industry goes back to 1801 when my great-great grandfather was a carpenter, joiner and cabinet and coffin manufacturer. He had 200 colleagues at one time!

"We now organise around 80 to 100 funerals per year."

Started in 2017, the Scottish Enterprise Awards honours the outstanding achievements of business. Alongside open nominations, SME News employs a research team to identify and analyse businesses deserving of recognition, considering factors including performance, innovation, market presence, customer service, and commitment to excellence. An impartial panel of five judges includes a veteran academic leader versed in research, fact-checking and mediation.

"To be nominated for an award was pleasing," said Mr Smith, "but to win was immensely satisfying and proves what a highly professional outfit we have. We're always professional, dignified and local.

"Thank you to those who nominated us - I now know who you are!"

Mr Smith works alongside fully qualified hair stylist Liz McKandie and her daughter Kelly, a former employee of the care home profession.

He finished: "I've been in the funeral industry for 40 years so the three of us make for a perfect blend."