Funeral directors mark 100 years of the serving local community and look forward to their next century

Now 100 years later, Douglas Funeral Directors would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Ballynahinch and Mid-Down for their continued faith in the company.

On the 11th April 1926, Douglas Funeral Directors conducted their first funeral of a Mrs Mary A McConnell of The Square, Ballynahinch at the total cost of £10.00, and while times and prices have changed, the company ethos has remained.

With the exception of a brief period during the 1980s, the Douglas family has owned one of Northern Ireland’s longest established funeral directors for a century. Beginning with Hugh Robinson Douglas, then his sons Billy and Leslie and more recently Bill Reid (Nephew of Billy and Leslie), the company has become firmly established amongst the local community.

For many years, the company operated out of a modest office on Ballynahinch Main Street, but under the stewardship and vision of current owner Bill Reid, the firm has relocated to 20 Dromore Road, Ballynahinch. In 2013, the current, purpose-built premises were officially opened by previous owner, Billy Douglas, a nod to the traditions of the past but with the future in mind.

The £500,000-plus investment was a significant outlay, designed by local architect Robert Semple. Boasting a 140-seat funeral church with the ability to extend this to 180 seats, where provision can be made for refreshments, three well-appointed viewing rooms, office suites, a spacious, comfortable reception area and ample, private parking facilities, the new building represents how we feel about the service we provide, that only the best is good enough.

As technology advances, Douglas Funeral Home now has the ability to exhibit personal slideshows showing photographs of a life well lived, also the creation of our Youtube channel, ‘Douglas Funeral Directors’ allows them to record and stream funeral services to anywhere in the world.

Like many funeral directors, their fleet of vehicles is a source of immense pride. The most recent addition is the new Bentley Hearse, originally a Bentley Flying Spur, this was handcrafted by Eagle Specialist Vehicles. The Bentley Hearse is the ultimate in automotive craftsmanship and coupled with our limousine provides the most elegant fleet of vehicles to help you say goodbye to your loved one.

Douglas Funeral Directors continues to guide families after the funeral with help and advice on a fitting tribute to your loved one. With a substantial outdoor display of headstones and monumental work, this allows the opportunity to select a beautiful, lasting tribute without the guesswork of what it will look like.

Over the last 100 years, there have been so many people who have contributed to the success and growth of the company, from those humble beginnings of Hugh Douglas, through to current owners Bill and Anne Reid, there are just too many people to thank individually.

As we look to the future, Bill and Anne’s son, Douglas Reid has already conducted his first funeral. On the 6th June 2025, Douglas conducted the funeral of Mrs June E Kirkpatrick, adding another generation to the funeral directing family.

Serving community for the next 100 years

Here at Douglas Funeral Directors we hope we have created a special place that serves all of Ballynahinch and Mid-Down, and as the years march on, and with confidence in the next generation, we continue to believe that dignity, compassion and professionalism are the very cornerstone of the service we provide to grieving families.

Douglas Funeral Directors will continue to meet families whatever their circumstances, wherever they are. We will listen, guide and work with our families to ensure they continue to receive the service they deserve for the next 100 years.

To find out more or get in touch, please visit our website.