about whitehouse Funeral Service
An independently family run and managed funeral business with branches in Darlington and Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, but covering the whole of the North East.
Whitehouse Funeral Service are here to help you at what is a very difficult time. Our Funeral Directors have a wealth of experience in arranging funerals and dealing with families compassionately. Assistance can be given in helping with all your funeral arrangements, including flowers, catering and any special needs. We don’t claim to be able to turn grief into joy but we do listen and do arrange that unique experience, remembering that every life lived is so individual.
Bereavement is a distressing experience which all of us encounter sometime in our lives, yet it is something that is talked about very little in everyday life. The distress and emotional upset can leave the bereaved completely disorientated and unsure as to what to do next. Our service and personal attention starts from the very first time you contact us.
Whitehouse Funeral Service is here to help you through that difficult time and with good family values and your needs at heart we will endeavour to make the whole process easier for you and your family.
The business is run by a family team of John and his wife Julie and his parents Mel and Dorothy. The team also includes 5 other very experienced Funeral Directors in Bryan A. Shepherd, David Gray, Stephen Robson-Cross, Tracey Rimmer. All well known and respected in the local community, whose manner and professionalism can only increase the quality of service already installed in the company.
John Whitehouse M.B.I.F.D Dip.FD
Managing DirectorJohn Whitehouse
After previous experience within another local Funeral Directors John decided to begin Whitehouse funeral Service in January 2004.
With the help of his family the business has grown from strength to strength. John’s interests include playing rugby (although retired now),
Hiking (Everest basecamp) to mountain biking.
‘Being a Funeral Director isn’t a job it’s a way of life. We are here to help you and your families’
Mel Whitehouse
Financial DirectorMel Whitehouse
After leaving Grammar School in Spennymoor, where he was House Captain, Mel joined H.M. Land Registry in Durham before spending over 35 years at Latimer Hinks Solicitors in Darlington, becoming Head of Residential Conveyancing. Around 21 years ago, he and his son John founded Whitehouse Funeral Service, where he remains a Director and Company Secretary, now working part-time. Married to Dorothy for over 50 years, who also supports the business and local charities, Mel enjoys gardening and following Spennymoor’s football team.
Bryan A Shepherd
Funeral DirectorBryan A Shepherd
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David Gray
Funeral DirectorDavid Gray
After leaving school I had various jobs before meeting my wife Janice. We have been married since 1969. I then joined the Fire service where I served for several years before leaving to go into the funeral profession. With over 40 years of experience funeral directing I then joined Whitehouse Funeral Service in 2014. Janice and I have one daughter, two grandsons and also very proud great grandparents to Arrabella. I do enjoy getting out on my bike and holidaying.
Stephen Robson-Cross
Funeral DirectorStephen Robson-Cross
After leaving school at the age of 16, Steve joined the Army and completed 18 years of service. After leaving the military, he worked in telecommunications before entering the funeral industry in 2000. He completed his Diploma in Funeral Directing (Dip FD) in 2003 and joined Whitehouse Funeral Service in 2016. His interests and hobbies include motorbikes, motor racing, and general fitness.
Julie Whitehouse
Celebrant / Funeral DirectorJulie Whitehouse
After a successful career in catering, Julie joined her husband, John, in their family business — first as a funeral director and now as a celebrant, a role she carries out with great passion and care. Outside of work, Julie enjoys spending time with her family and their four spaniels, taking holidays and trips away in their motorhome, going for walks and to the gym, cooking and researching her family history.
Tracey Rimmer
Funeral DirectorTracey Rimmer
Tracey joined Whitehouse Funeral service in March 2024, bringing with her 14 years of experience. She is known for being exceptionally caring and compassionate to the families we look after.
Tracey is married with two children and is an avid animal lover, especially dogs, also a keen fitness enthusiast , she enjoys competing in triathlons and Hyrox events.
Kevan Dodds
Funeral Director / EmbalmerKevan Dodds
Kevan is a compassionate and experienced funeral director with over 20 years of supporting families through life’s most difficult moments. In 2026, he joined Whitehouse Funeral Services, bringing with him a calm, reassuring presence and a commitment to the highest standards of dignity and care.
Outside of work, Kevan enjoys music, peaceful walks with his family, and the tradition and craftsmanship of horse carriage driving – passions that reflect his grounded nature and appreciation for life’s quieter moments.