Honouring a family promise: Harpin’s Funeral Service expands to Normanton
A long-established Wakefield funeral business has strengthened its presence in the local community with the opening of a new branch in Normanton.
Harpin’s Funeral Service, part of the Funeral Partners family, has opened on Normanton High Street, expanding its network of branches which already serves families in Wakefield, Outwood and Horbury.
The decision to open in Normanton is rooted in Harpin’s family history and long-standing ties to the area.
Business Principal Sara Harpin’s aunt served the community as a District Nurse, while her late uncle was a Funeral Director, both based in Altofts.
Sara said: “Normanton has always held a special place in our family.
"My Uncle Les and Aunty Doreen both dedicated their working lives to caring for people in this area, and opening in Normanton feels like keeping a quiet promise we made through those conversations.
“We’ve cared for many Normanton families for years, and now we can be closer to them, right at the heart of their community.”
The Normanton branch is being managed by Funeral Director Jane Britton.
Jane has strong personal links to the town, having spent a great deal of time in Normanton while her brother played for the Normanton Knights Rugby Club all the way from a child to his professional career, with her father coaching the under-8s team for several years.
Jane said: “I joined Harpin’s because I wanted to work within a personal, family-focused service.
"I was first drawn to the profession because I wanted to provide the best care I could during a really difficult time – joining Harpin’s means I can spend meaningful time with families, and serve the local community with the same compassion, dignity and personal care that Harpin's has been known for almost 100 years.”
Founded in the 1930s by Leonard and Vera Harpin, the business was led from the early 1960s by Sara’s father and sister.
In April 2022, Harpin’s Funeral Directors chose to join Funeral Partners to help secure the business for the long term – ensuring the Harpin’s name, staff and way of working could continue while gaining the extra support and investment needed to keep serving local families for many years to come.