Only the best was good enough for a funeral

The majority of people who were involved with cabinet making would almost naturally become involved in the community as funeral services providers.

One of their early bill heads from 1904 shows that alongside house furnishing, upholsterers, auctioneers, appraisers and house agents, Reynolds were also involved with funerals.

In the days of Samuel Reynolds, the coffin would be carried in a horse drawn carriage, pictured right, and this is still used today.

Reynolds' own glass-sided hearse is on display at their premises in Longford Road. This was the type of hearse used in the time of Samuel.

It was stored in their depository for a number of years before it was renovated and has now returned for use.

It was during the 1870s that the glass-sided hearse made its appearance.

It was consequently much lighter and far less sombre than the closed variety used previously.

It became an overnight success. The mourners and passers-by were able to see the coffin and the undertaker's handiwork and craft. One drawback was the fact that this carriage could not be used to carry mourners back from the funeral.

Two fine black groomed horses pulled the glass hearse. The horses' hooves were painted with Archangel tar, making them black and shiny, distinguishing them from work horses, which had dirty hooves.

The man in charge of the hearse was seated high in front of the hearse. He was dressed in black and wore a castor hat. A white scarf or ribbon was tied round the rim of the hat and a long piece of ribbon floated behind him.

Reynolds kept its own horses which were imported from Belgium. The breed was known as Belgian Blacks and were all supplied as geldings as the vendors did not want Reynolds breeding its own supply.

The horses were stabled in the workshop yard in Belmont Street.

In the 1920s it became evident that a motor hearse was essential for the continued success of the business.

Reynolds started using motor cars in about 1927 and has continued to update its fleet as time goes by.

The company invested over 300,000 in a new Mercedes-Benz fleet in 2005.

In modern times of course there is much more customer choice and Reynolds have carried the deceased on a motor bike or on the back of a fire engine in accordance with their wishes.

Samuel's eldest son Charles, to whom I referred in previous articles, conducted many funerals for poor people for nothing.

He honestly believed it was his duty to ensure a good Christian burial for people who could not afford one.

Charles Reynolds died in 1935 as a result of his work ethic. He suffered from asthma and was feeling poorly, but had promised to carry out the funeral service for a friend. He conducted the funeral service in the pouring rain and died as a result of his condition deteriorating thereafter.

Many of the old funeral customs common in those days have died out. The bereaved family would stop all the clocks and all the mirrors would be turned towards the wall.

A wake was held because people wanted to call at the house in sympathy.

There were certain customs peculiar to Bognor. When anybody died, all the shops in the street would place a single shutter in the shop window.

Neighbours would pull a couple of blinds half way. When a funeral was about to pass, the blinds on every house would be pulled down. In some cases straw was laid on the roadway outside the deceased's house to muffle the sound of horses and carts passing by.

Reynolds made all their coffins by hand up to 1973. As you can imagine, this was a laborious process particularly with regard to bending the wood into the right shape for the coffin.

In the early days, most coffins were made of elm. Today they are more commonly of oak.

As the world changes and we become more aware of global changes, people tend to consider the environment more and coffins can now be made of bio-degradable cardboard or wicker.

You can be buried in a woodland area or have a tree planted in your name.

The local obituaries of the day make interesting reading. As well as recording the key events of the deceased life, mourners at the funeral service were listed individually and their relationship with the deceased noted.

When Alfred Reynolds (Charles's eldest son) died in 1933, his wife was not expected to attend the funeral service as she was entrusted to provide the food and drink for the mourners on their return from the service.

I can remember my own father's family where only men attended funerals '“women were left at home to prepare the refreshments.

As we enter the 21st century, with the widening of beliefs and changing perspectives, things have really changed. Services have taken on a new perspective for many people. Services can now include well known songs, sung by choirs or pop groups. Readings are from the bible, well known songs or muses.

Family members and friends during the service tell their own stories and memories. The service may or may not be of a religious nature. All of this is a long way from the austere and sombre services of the past.

Throughout their 140-year history, members of the Reynolds family have been involved with the funeral business.

Today it is a very different service to that in which Samuel was involved.

Rulings are stricter and they now have to attend courses, gain certification and recognition of their expertise. They belong to the National Federation of Funeral Directors who uphold standards and health and safety legislation is paramount to protect the interests of employees.

There can't be many businesses of 140 years who still have members of the family taking the deceased on their final journey.

Over the last 140 years Reynolds have touched all areas of many Bognor residents and got involved with the various festivities and celebrations in the town. However one aspect that cannot be equalled is the fantastic photographic collection started by Frank and continuing until today.

Many of the early images on glass slides are now with the West Sussex Record Office, but much of the company and town's photographic history is retained by the family for which we should all be grateful.

There are currently 14 grandchildren of Norman Reynolds and let us all hope that the line of succession continues and that Reynolds continues to play a part in our town centre business.

I would like here to record my thanks to all members of the Reynolds family for access both to their records and memories, which has enabled these new articles to be so informative.

Just another quick reminder to get your tickets for the talk to raise money for the Bognor Regis Seafront Lights, which has so illuminated the town this summer.