Roy and Matt - Owners of Gwinnell & Sons Funeral Homes in Essex and Suffolk

R. Gwinnell & Sons funeral homes
in Essex and Suffolk

R. Gwinnell & Sons was established in 1986 by Roy and Christine Gwinnell to provide a caring and supportive service to families in times of need. Their eldest son Matt joined the business in 2002, having grown up observing how his father looked after families during the most difficult of times. He says it was always a case of when, not if, he joined the family business.

The Gwinnells opened their first funeral home in Manningtree, and now have a range of funeral homes in Essex and Suffolk, including branches in Clacton, Colchester, Dovercourt, Hadleigh, Ipswich and Thorpe-le-Soken. The family have also been entrusted with A.R. Clarke in Halstead.

Roy is well-known in the local communities served by R. Gwinnell & Sons and is a long-standing member of the Rotary Club. He has the Diploma in Funeral Directing and is a member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors.

Pictured (left to right): Matt Gwinnell with father Roy.

Tributes and donations

Create a special tribute to your loved one, with MuchLoved

What to do when someone dies

Read our guides to help you through this difficult time

Pre-paid funerals plans

Arranging your funeral in advance with our friendly and caring team
flowers in funeral service banner

  • Our family and friends were very impressed by the whole handling of the funeral and with your team who were extremely helpful throughout.

    D. G., Thorpe-le-Soken

  • On behalf of my family, we would like to thank you for making our mother's funeral so special. We feel you went the extra mile for us. My mother would have been so proud.

    L. S., Colchester

  • The family and I thank you for the sympathetic and professional way you and your employees dealt with everything. I have no hesitation in recommending your services to others.

    S. G., Colchester

  • Thank you for my parents’ headstone. I could not be more happy with what you have done.

    T. R., Clacton

  • I really appreciated how kind you were to us at a very difficult time and also how lovely the whole team were on the day of the funeral.

    T. S., Hadleigh

  • Thank you for making our mums last journey really special. You Enabled us to do mum proud and give her the send off she deserved.

    The Lines Family, Colchester