Compare Funeral DirectorsAdd your business
← Back to Plymouth
Walter C. Parson Funeral Directors in Plymouth

Walter C. Parson Funeral Directors in Plymouth

4.6(11 reviews)See reviews ↓·Plymouth

About the company

Walter C. Parson Funeral Directors is a family business established in 1842 and has remained in the same family for seven generations. The founder was Richard Walter Parson, a carpenter and joiner from Stoke Climsland, Cornwall. The company operates 12 offices and has 18 funeral vehicles within a total fleet of 40. It conducts nearly 1,300 funerals annually across the South West Peninsula.

The St Judes office serves Plymouth City Centre, Peverell, Mannamead, Hartley, Efford, Stoke, Devonport, Keyham, Milehouse and surrounding areas, and houses the company's School of Funeral Directing. The company offers local direct cremation, simple funerals, traditional funeral services, and pre-paid funeral plans. Resident Funeral Directors at the St Judes and Plymstock offices are Vikki Macneill, Emma Hunter, and David Parslow.

Emma Hunter is a Funeral Director with B.I.F.D. (Dip) and joined the company in 2013. Vikki Macneill is a Funeral Director and Manager with B.I.F.D. (Dip) Hons. and joined in 2015. David Parslow is a Company Director with Dip. F.D. MBIE. FBIFD. Accredited Tutor. and joined in 1979. John Ware is the Managing Director, Stephen Ware is the Chairman of the Board, and Graham May and David Parslow are Company Directors. The company moved to its current address in the centre of Plymouth in 1951.

What customers say

Based on genuine customer reviews

Repeatedly, those who turned to this funeral director in Plymouth found staff who combined professional competence with genuine warmth, and the guidance offered shaped services around the character of the person who had died rather than a fixed pattern. Emma is singled out for her sensitive handling of arrangements, keeping families fully informed and ensuring everything was in place, even when plans had to be completed across a holiday period and over a considerable distance. Aisha draws particular praise for preparing paper announcements and orders of service, while celebrants chosen for ceremonies are commended for capturing the right tone and drawing out family stories.

Reviewers mention feeling unhurried, with time always given to spend with the deceased, and note that nothing was treated as too much trouble, from the first meeting through to support after the funeral. Prepaid arrangements were honoured without additional costs. One account recalls a funeral director putting a bereaved friend's mind at ease and helping design a service around a distinctive personality. The same standards of respect and dignity appear across burials and cremations alike, and the recurring theme is of pressure lifted from families, with compassion and meticulous organisation evident.

Cremation ServiceFuneral home

Reviews

Reviews are taken from publicly available sources.

SM
Sadie Martin27 July 2026

Throughout our experience Emma and her colleagues were professional, helpful and caring. The choice of celebrant was perfect. Between them, they organised, guided and helped us have the service we wanted but had no idea about how to make happen.

RQ
Richard Quirk1 April 2026

Wanted to say thank you to three members of staff who supported my family before during and after the funeral. Aisha and Emma at the St.Judes office were excellent throughout and Vikki the celebrant did an amazing job getting the tone spot on with the stories for the funeral from the family. All their hard team were great but a special mention to those three ladies who went above and beyond.

RK
RACHEL Kaye9 February 2026

Dear Emma and Aisha. Words can not describe or express how wonderful, caring & friendly you lovely ladies both are. Over the past month you both have looked after my Dad with love & care. We never felt rushed & you always gave us lots of time with him. Always very friendly & welcoming both on the phone & in person, both always happy to help us and support us. Today was the day we laid our Dad to rest. Emma was our funeral director she was absolutely amazing. Thank you Emma and Aisha for all you have done. With love Rachel & Family xx❤️

J
Jasmin29 December 2025

Heard mixed reviews about the company so myself and my husband contacted the branch at the end of Salisbury Road in regards to my fathers passing, only be to greeted with the most uninterested sounding person on the other end of the line. I mentioned my experience to a family friend and she said she had not had the same experience but that the company is known for “blowing hot and cold”. Not the best experience while trying to grieve. Ended up going with another funeral directors just off of Laira bridge who were fantastic.

KO
K O30 August 2025

I would like to say thank you to all the members of staff that helped on the day of my uncles funeral. Aisha and Emma wow just wow, what caring, compassionate and diligent ladies. I can’t thank them enough. Having Emma there on the day leading the funeral was so comforting. Aisha sorting the paper announcements and order of service etc which were all amazing! A true credit to the Walter Parson team. At such a sad and difficult time they made things incredibly easy. They truly deserve recognition. Walter Parson have done a few funerals for our family and I can’t recommend them enough.

SC
sue Costello9 July 2025

Walter Parsons of St.Jude's have arranged three funerals for me in the last couple of years and have been, kind and thoughtful of everything. Nothing is too much trouble, they explain everything and I did nothing it was all done for me. The funerals were prepaid years ago with no additional costs. The initial meeting can be quick or you can take your time, there is no rush, you go at your own pace. I cannot recommend them enough. Many Thanks Sue Costello

JS
john solomon23 January 2025

Huge gratitude for the professionalism, caring attitude and efficiency of the Walter C Parsons team in Plymouth. A special mention for Emma who dealt with us brilliantly all the way through from our first contact. She kept us fully informed and made sure everything was in place very quickly despite the arrangements having to be made across the New Year break and a 250 mile distance between us. The choice of Celebrant to lead our ceremony was perfect. We would highly recommend the company, your loved ones will be in very safe hands.

Funeral directors in Plymouth compared

Ordered by rating, weighted by the number of reviews — businesses with only a handful of reviews do not jump to the top automatically. 7 businesses in this category in Plymouth are compared.

RankProviderRatingReviewsOpen Sat.
1Clifford's Family Funeral Directors Limited★ 5,0278Yes
2Wyatt Brothers Funeral Directors★ 5,0161Yes
3Plymouth and District Funeral Services★ 5,0103Yes
4Knapman Family Ltd★ 5,073Yes
5Co-op Funeralcare, Exeter Street, Plymouth★ 5,015Yes
7Walter C. Parson Funeral Directors in Plymouth (this page)★ 4,611Yes
Contact
+441752665438wcpltd.com/locations/st-judes11 Tothill Ave, Plymouth PL4 8PJ
Working hours
Monday00:00–24:00
Tuesday00:00–24:00
Wednesday00:00–24:00
Thursday00:00–24:00
Friday00:00–24:00
Saturday00:00–24:00
Sunday00:00–24:00