Our History
It was in 1888 that Arthur Waite moved to New Wortley, Leeds as a
'Carpenter and Undertaker' starting the family involvement in
Funeral Directing and the name A. Waite & Son.
Following his death in 1923, after 35 years of service, his wife,
Hannah, took over the business with their son Joseph Austin Waite.
In 1932 Joseph Austin took over the business and moved to our
present Hall Lane location.
In 1935 his son, Leonard Waite, joined the business and took over in
1959. Joseph Austin Waite died in 1965.
There has been much change since 1959.
Leonard was joined by his son, Andrew Waite, in 1973 making a fourth
generation involvement in A. Waite & Son Funeral Service.
The arrival of Andrew's daughter, Alison Waite, into the
business in 2000 and her
involvement in it gives not only a fifth generation connection but
defines our continuing commitment and service to the public.
Active in all areas of the Funeral Service Leonard Waite was
elected National President of NAFD 1976/77 and Andrew Waite was
elected National President 1988/89.
A unique honour for father and son and an indication of their
commitment and standing in Funeral Service.
Throughout the years many new ideas and services have been accepted
and put into place to the benefit of our clients and the business
itself. To this end our workshop, office and premises were
completely re-designed and re-built in Hall Lane in 1975 and has
just undergone basic refurbishment which ensures facilities of the
highest standard to complement our high standard of service and
care.
Andrew Waite who was a qualified Member of the British Institute of
Embalmers, Member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors and
holder of the Diploma in Funeral Directing sadly died in January
2008.
His daughter Alison, is now responsible for the arranging and
conducting of funerals and the running of A. Waite & Son, with the
help of her mum and Andrew's wife, Susan Waite and are both proud to
be keeping A.Waite & Son one of the few truly independent, family
owned and run Funeral Services where ownership and responsibility is open and
can be seen for the benefit of the families and individuals we
continue to serve.
She also plans to be as successful in the business as her Father and
family before her.
A.Waite & Son are members of the National Association of Funeral
Directors (NAFD) and abide by their Code of Practice so we work to
the high standards required by the client and public alike.