About us
Bungard Funeral Directors, an independent family funeral directors, is a fifth generation family business, serving Brighton & Hove and the surrounding areas. We have been specialists in funerals for over 118 years.
Company Directors
Richard Whittle
Managing Director and great, great grandson of the founder
Richard Whittle is the second son of James and Ann Whittle. He has the Diploma in Funeral Directing and the Diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration from the National Association of Funeral Directors. Richard also has a BSc Hons in Operations Management from Lancaster University and an Advanced Certificate in Sales & Marketing from the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management.
Richard joined the family firm full time in March 2011 but had previously worked as a bearer for the firm during school and university holidays. Richard enjoyed working with his Dad James until his retirement in June 2012 when Richard formally took over the managerial reins. Previously Richard worked at Hospitality and Leisure Manpower in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, as an Operations Manager working with consultants and trainers to improve the quality of customer service and service standards with small to medium enterprises throughout the country.
Richard is married to Amie, an office manager and live in Haywards Heath with their two boys.
James Whittle
Director and great grandson of the founder
James Whittle, Dip.FD, MBIFD, is the son of Leonard and Margaret Whittle (nee Bungard) and educated at Brighton College. James started with the Company in 1968, becoming a Director in 1971 and Company Secretary and joint Managing Director in 1973.
He gained a Diploma from the National Association of Funeral Directors in 1975. He is a founder member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors (formed in 1982).
James is married to Ann Whittle and recently moved to Linfield. Previously he lived in Henfield, where he was a churchwarden at St Peter’s Church, and a Trustee of St Peter’s Church of England Primary School, 1996-2003, and again in 2008. He has been Honorary Treasurer at St Peter’s Church, since 2001 and Honorary Treasurer of Henfield Youth Club since 1997.
James has one other son Mark and three grandchildren. Two of which are twins like his mother and Auntie.
Other team members
Ben Day
Funeral Director
Ben joined the company in October 2015, having worked for his previous employer for over 9 years. Ben has recently completed and passed the online NAFD Funeral Awareness course.
Ben and his wife Leila, live in Hove with their young son and daughter and they enjoy the sights and sounds (when they can) that the city has to offer.
Zoe Walker
Administrator
Zoe joined the company in January 2018 after working for Lloyds Banking Group for 16 years. Zoe’s main role is to help with the administration and to support Richard and Ben caring for the deceased and their families. Zoe has nearly completed her exams and will be qualified as a Certified Funeral Practitioner by the end of 2024. She also won the prestigious Matthew Gallagher Achievement Award in 2022 for outstanding students who have studied towards their professional qualifications whilst facing difficult challenges. Zoe also cares for her own families alongside Richard and Ben.