History Part 9

The success enjoyed in the north of England clearly enthused undertakers in London. In March 1904 a gathering presided over by James Hurry formed the Metropolitan Funeral Furnishers’ Association. Its objective was, ‘To establish in the Metropolitan area an association open to master undertakers and funeral carriage proprietors, monumental masons and members of allied trades, for the purpose of improving the conditions of the trade; to watch municipal, hospital, cemetery, local and similar authorities in the interest of the trade.’ At a well-attended meeting two months later, William Knox was elected president, James Hurry as vice-chairman and Henry Kellaway as secretary. One of the motions advanced was the adoption of a minimum charge for funerals.