About Us
John McNeil Funeral Directors was formed in 1948 when John McNeil Snr acquired the business of the very well known H.P. McLaughan in Hanover St. Stranraer.
Independent Family Business
The business practiced both funeral directing and joinery as was common for the profession in those days. However as time progressed it became clear that John McNeil’s skill in arranging and directing funerals was more and more in demand.
John McNeil Senior was accompanied in the business by his son, John Gordon McNeil, who took over the business when his father sadly passed away in 1974. Gordon McNeil became devoted to his profession and has helped and comforted many families over many years. In 1982, Gordon’s eldest son Stuart left school and joined him, starting out as an assistant funeral director. Like his father and grandfather, he demonstrated a natural ability to put people at ease and guide them through the difficulties of bereavement.
Growing Business
Over the years father and son developed the business and premises together, with the addition of garages, a workshop and the purpose built Chapel of Rest which has since held many personalised services. When Gordon’s younger son Scott began a career in stone masonry, the natural expansion into the monumental business led to the business creating its first monumental yard. An ever increasing demand for monumental work meant opening a new yard in Stranraer’s industrial estate which provides a range of outstanding memorials.
4th Generation
With the business growing, need arose to take on more staff and Alan Dougan was taken into the business, working his way up to becoming a highly proficient funeral director with over 25 years of experience. Over the years our staff has expanded, with James McClymont and Michael Dougan joining the team bringing their own particular skills in assistance.
As the business thrived, Gordon McNeil took a step back in 2015, but still looked in at the office often to lend a hand. Sadly, John Gordon McNeil passed away in 2021 and is sorely missed. A few months later, Gordon’s Granddaughter Shona joined her father Stuart and all the staff at John McNeils, forming the fourth generation of McNeil’s to enter the profession.
John McNeil Funeral Directors and Monumental Works are a real family business and together with their staff strive to have a friendly, professional and helpful approach to everything they do.
John McNeil Funeral Directors and Monumental Works are a real family business and together with their staff strive to have a friendly, professional and helpful approach to everything they do.
