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About

WHERE COMPASSION MEETS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

Since 1986, Champ Funeral Services has been a cornerstone of care and professionalism, serving families in Clayton-le-Moors, Hyndburn, the Ribble Valley, and surrounding areas. Founded by Lianna Champ, whose life’s work has focused on enhancing funeral services and grief education, we are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalised funeral care that meets the unique needs of every family.

At the heart of what we do is a commitment to helping families find comfort and meaning through heart-centred funeral experiences. This is the Champ Way—going beyond the ordinary.

Our distinct Champ approach integrates the timeless traditions of the past with modern expectations, ensuring your emotional wellbeing is at the forefront. As your funeral directors, we are among the first to support you and your family during these difficult times. Recognising that grief is deeply personal, we strive to provide care that makes a lasting, positive impact.

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“The quality of your service was second to none. You always treated us with dignity and sensitivity and the balance of warmth and professionalism was perfect. It was a wonderful day and a positive and uplifting experience, which is all due to your staff. You absolutely exceeded our expectations”.

Ann and John Garnett

Meet the Team

Founder

Lianna Champ

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Diploma in Funeral Directing, Certified Embalmer, Advanced Grief Recovery ® Specialist, Member of the Institute of Civil Funerals and Author of ‘How to Grieve like a Champ’ In a nutshell … A Funeral whizz!

Determined to become a funeral director from the age of nine, Lianna has spent over four decades caring for those who have been bereaved or suffering with unresolved grief. Instead of providing a purely practical solution to death and funerals, Lianna wanted to create a holistic experience that would ease the pain of losing someone and help the grieving process.

A life dedicated to a single career has made Lianna an expert in grief and it’s this knowledge that permeates the entire Champ experience.

From your first interaction with Champ Funeral Services, you’ll detect Lianna’s passion for uniquely celebrating the lives of those we have lost and her desire to comfort and guide those left behind.

Lianna’s book ‘How To Grieve Like A Champ’ was published in June 2018 and is available on Amazon and at all good bookshops. She also writes many educational articles on the subject of grief and funerals for various local and national media publications. Please visit our Insights page for further details.

Lianna won Enterprising Woman & Made In Hyndburn awards in The Hyndburn Business Awards 2019.

Funeral Service Manager

Carl Taylor

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With over two decades of experience, Carl brings a rare blend of knowledge, compassion, and creativity to his role as a Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Civil Funeral Celebrant. His caring and thoughtful nature allows him to deeply understand the unique needs of each family he serves, helping them honour their loved ones in a meaningful way. Carl’s ability to craft personalised, heartfelt ceremonies ensures that every celebration of life is distinct and memorable. His passion, insight, and unwavering dedication are invaluable in providing families with comfort and an exceptional experience during their time of need.
Administrative lead & Client Relations

Kelly Cuthbertson

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Kelly joined the Champ Funeral Services team in May 2024, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous public-facing roles. While new to the funeral industry, she possesses exceptional organisational skills. Following in her father’s footsteps, who has been in the funeral industry for over 40 years, Kelly is dedicated to upholding the same level of commitment and care. She is always reliable and ready to assist with compassion and efficiency.
Funeral Director

Chris Dootson

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Chris joined the Champ team in 2023, bringing a strong background in customer service and a dedication to excellence. A true people person, Chris is highly adaptable and has always aspired to work in the funeral profession. With a passion for helping families during difficult times, Chris hopes to further his career by training as an embalmer, continuing to provide compassionate care with professionalism and respect.

John

Ian

Charles

Tracy

Jason

“Such a brilliant team. Lianna did everything to help us when my grandad passed away. Carl and the team were always so helpful and the celebrant conducted an amazing service. The work you do for people at such a sad time is remarkable, thank you”.

Lyndsey