Meet the People Behind Ian Hazel Funerals
At Ian Hazel Funerals, we believe the care we give begins with the people we are.
We’re a small, close-knit team with decades of combined experience, but what really matters to us is how we make you feel - supported, understood, and treated with genuine kindness when you need it most.
Founded over 40 years ago by Ian Hazel, our funeral home remains family-run and proudly independent. Many of our team members have been with us for many years, building trusted relationships with local families who come back to us generation after generation.
Ian Hazel
Dip F.D, B.I.E
Funeral Director
Sutton Coldfield
Ian Hazel, is a fourth generation Funeral Director, joining the family business of A. Hazel and Sons in 1977 after obtaining a commercial training in industry. When, in 1987, the former family business was acquired by Hodgson Holdings, Ian left to set up his own business, Ian Hazel Funerals in Sutton Coldfield in order to carry on the old family traditional funeral business.
Ian is fully qualified, gaining his Funeral Directors Diploma in funeral directing in May 1979 and being admitted to full membership of the British Institute of Embalmers in June 1979. Ian Hazel is based at the company’s head office in Sutton Coldfield.
Amy Hazel
BSc Hons, Dip F.D.
Funeral Director
Sutton Coldfield
Amy Hazel, a fifth generation Funeral Director of the Hazel family, joined her father in his business; Ian Hazel Funerals in Sutton Coldfield in March 2006. She decided to join the family business after obtaining a BSc Honours Degree in Food Science at Nottingham Trent University. After an initial period of training she gained her National Association of Funeral Directors Diploma in Funeral Directing in May 2008. She now holds the position of a fully qualified Senior Funeral Director at Ian Hazel Funerals in Sutton Coldfield. Read more...
Est. 1901
Five generations of the Hazel family
Arthur Hazel began as a gravedigger and undertaker at St Barnabas Church, Erdington, in 1901. His son Walter followed him into the profession. Walter's son Wallie carried it forward.
Ian Hazel continued the family line when he founded Ian Hazel Funerals in Sutton Coldfield in 1987.
In 2006, Amy Hazel became the fifth generation of the family to qualify as a funeral director - joining her father and bringing over 120 years of family tradition into the present day.
Five generations. One family. The same commitment to the people of the West Midlands.
Sue Forrest
Dip F.D.
Funeral Director
Sutton Coldfield
Sue Forrest, started working in medical ancillary supplies to nursing homes and the caring profession for fifteen years. After losing her own Dad in July 2002, she had a vocation to want to work in the funeral profession.
Sue joined Ian Hazel Funerals in June 2003 as a trainee funeral director, gaining her National Association of Funeral Directors Diploma in Funeral Directing in October 2006. She now holds the position of Office Manager at Ian Hazel Funerals in Sutton Coldfield.
James Horne
Dip F.D.
Funeral Director
Sutton Coldfield
James Horne, after gaining the National Association of Funeral Directors Diploma in Funeral Directing aged 17, started up his own funeral business in Woodville, South Derbyshire where he still lives. With the support of the community he very quickly built up a well established funeral home.
He traded for three years on his own, until he sold the business to Tamworth Co-operative Society in October 1997, for whom he went to work as the Operations Manager of their funeral division, where he oversaw all the day to day running of a large funeral home. He joined Ian Hazel Funerals in September 2005 as a Senior Funeral Director and is now Operations Manager at Ian Hazel Funerals in Sutton Coldfield.
Tim Bartlett
Dip F.D.
Funeral Director
Lichfield / Great Barr / Aldridge
Tim Bartlett started his career in Funeral Directing with the original Hazel family business in September 1981. In June 1987 he joined FM and J Wait Funeral Directors in Lichfield becoming the general manager prior to joining Ian Hazel Funerals in January 2010. He was appointed Funeral Director to the Great Barr branch, this being the community that he lives in, as well as overseeing the company’s Aldridge branch.
He is also the Funeral Director representing the Lichfield area, an area in which he is well known and has served since 1987. He can meet you to discuss all funeral arrangements in Lichfield.
Our Values
Every member of our team shares the same values: dignity, respect and compassion for every family we help.
We know that arranging a funeral can feel overwhelming, that’s why we take time to listen, offer gentle guidance and make sure everything is handled with care, down to the smallest detail.