About Us

Since the age of 15 I was fascinated how the funeral directors dealt with my friend, who was sadly taken away from us. This sparked an interest of the workings of funeral directors and what they do on a day to day basis. My journey then started in 1993 starting as work experience from school and continuing to the current day. I have worked my way up through the ranks , starting as an assistant working behind the scenes then becoming a fully fledged embalmer and attending university to gain my MBIE.

With almost 30 years experience of helping and assisting family’s in their most difficult times. This can only be achieved with not only an excellent work ethic but having a supportive family behind you. My husband Neil and I have been together for 24 years and married for 16 years, and over the last 12 years been fostering children from difficult backgrounds. Fostering over 20 children has truly been an amazing experience and adopting 2 young boys from the age of 3 and 5 has been the most amazing experience.

I joined the company as a Funeral Director in 2017, having come from a completely unrelated field of expertise in horticulture, both commercial and practical. I am often asked why I made such a dramatic change, but I think it was because I had developed lots of skills in being able to talk to people of all walks of life, understanding what good ‘customer’ service is and I just like helping people, although having a slightly OCD attention to detail is also beneficial! I became acting assistant manager in the autumn of that year and then General Manager in the Summer of 2020.

As a company, we pride ourselves on the quality of the service we provide, and I’m immensely proud of the team of people I have working with me, in what can be a very stressful and emotional job. They are amazing.

Outside of work I have many hobbies and interests.

I love trekking and have had fantastic adventures doing so in Peru, Nepal and Europe and I’m never happier than when I’m out in a beautiful landscape amongst the flora and fauna. It’s also a brilliant way of meeting people and learning about different cultures and making lifelong friendships.

Although I have left horticulture as a career, I will always be obsessed by plants, so my garden takes up a lot of my spare time.

I love cooking for friends, particularly the eating part! I am a beekeeper and if time permits, I love reading and doing sculpture classes.

Life is always so busy these days, that to be able to switch off from the madness around you and just to be able to clear your mind and just think about placing one foot in front of the other, or the piece of clay or plant in your hand, is immensely therapeutic and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I’m a born and bred ‘Cranbrook Girl’ having been brought up and schooled locally. I have always lived in and around the area; between Goudhurst, Headcorn & Cranbrook. I have come into this industry from a completely different background; my main experience is healthcare. Something I loved; and it taught me invaluable skills that have shaped me as a person. From looking after people both in person and remotely – from many walks of life – to learning about all sorts of clinical matters.

During my teens my main interests were Music, English Literature and The Art’s. I did my A-Levels at West Kent College with qualifications to join either the Police, Fire, Ambulance or Prison Service. As I got older it became clear this wasn’t for me; however, the training is something I am extremely proud of. Music and The Arts is still something that I take huge enjoyment in. I sing with a local choir; I am a keen writer and enjoy long walks in the sunshine with my family and my dog. A real treat is to wind down with a good book, a bubble bath, or journaling. I am a keen advocate for mental health & mindfulness and spend as much time as I can either fundraising, practising, or raising awareness.

I take enormous pride in my work and is something that I always give 100%. Although I’m a ‘newbie’ to the funeral industry – I have always had an interest and been very good in looking after people; be it in this life or on their journey to what may be the next. I know for certain that anybody who comes into our care is shown respect, dignity, and kindness. It is an honour to be able to work with our families and our deceased.

[staff_member name="Joyce Vidler" job_title="A. W. Court Office Manager"]

I have worked in the Grafty Green office since 2007. I now live in Harrietsham but had lived in the cottage next to the office for over 21 years.
I have three grown up children, love cooking and being in my garden.
I have supported Headcorn Scouts of which I am now chairman for around 25 years.

Hi my name is Mandy and I work in the office at Northiam.
I joined J.Perigoe & Son two years ago. After being offered a position with the company, I was very impressed with the way that they look after their families, as they show so much respect and care. The company will always go above and beyond to get things just right.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family. I also like going to the theatre in London and for a nice meal.
Taking time out for a holiday in the sun is always very welcome!
Not forgetting, taking my lovely little dog Lilly out on nice walks.

I started working for the company back in 2012, after years working as a builder, local postman and bus driver, which comes in very handy when navigating around Kent and East Sussex. I’ve always lived in the area in and around Sutton Valence, Maidstone and Harrietsham, and like to ‘Support’ the local pubs on a regular basis! Because of all these things, I’ve got to know a huge amount of people and so consequently I feel very proud when they come to us to look after their funeral arrangements for their loved ones.

I am a fan of Tottenham Hotspurs, like walking and DIY, but the most important part of my life is my family. I have a son and four daughters and plenty of grandchildren to keep me busy.

I started working for Perigoes in the February of 2012 as a bearer/driver. Having spent the previous 15 years working shift work in a frozen food factory, it was a massive change for me.

I was made to feel very welcome when I started, I soon began to realise I had made the right decision in leaving my previous job.

My job is extremely satisfying. Seeing the family at the beginning of losing a loved one, to being there at the end of the funeral, makes it all worthwhile. Having been here nearly 9 years and having seen our competitors over the years. I know we’re one of the best Funeral Directors around.

I started working for J. Perigoe & Son in March 2022 after working within the funeral trade for approximately ten years. I first came across the company in 2019, when I was hired as an extra limousine driver for a funeral. Since then our paths crossed regularly and I soon realised the companies standards are second to none. I recently moved to the area after working for many years in London and the South East, and decided to apply for a full time position within the company. I was extremely proud to be accepted. The team I work with are all genuinely kind and caring, and we are all very passionate in providing the highest standards. Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym, and more importantly spending time with my two daughters and five grand children.

Ian

David C

Bob

Richard C

Since 2001 we have been under the ownership of West & Coe, a fully independent, family owned and managed business, that has served the community for over a century. As founding members of The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), we abide by a strict code of practice that provides further confidence in our professional service and approach.

Jeremy West, Chairman and Managing Director and his family.