Ian Bendall took over the established Funeral Company here in Castle Douglas from his uncle in 1985. Since that time, he gained the firm a great reputation for excellence and retired in 2022. Content now to enjoy his well-deserved rest, he still shows an interest from afar in the daily running of the firm.
Kimberley, Ian’s daughter initially accepted a part-time position in the family business in 2011. She continued to work in her career as a midwife in Cresswell, Dumfries. In 2015, she became a full time Partner with her father Ian Bendall in the family run company and has been instrumental in the new design of the extensive building improvements that were carried out in 2015.
Richard began part-time work with our firm in 2000 before joining us in a full time position in 2006. Previously he had been employed with Douglas Swan & Sons (Monumental Mason in Kirkcudbright.) He is still involved in this area of work and offers advice with regard to all headstone requirements in conjunction with Swans. Richard trained as an embalmer with William Purves & Sons in Edinburgh in 2011, he also completed a course in cranial facial injury reconstruction at Edinburgh University in 2017. He is our Senior Undertaker within the company.
Working at Bendalls since 2013 in her capacity as both a Funeral Director and experienced Funeral celebrant, she offers personal and tailored ceremonies to those families who wish to have a non-religious service. Having trained professionally as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor before being appointed as a Civil Marriage Celebrant with Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2002, her diverse experiences all center around helping people navigate important transitions in their lives.
Willie is also a retained Fire Fighter in Castle Douglas and has worked for us in the capacity as a part time Undertaker since 2012. He in addition, holds a position as an Independent Financial Advisor with a firm in Dumfries.
Fiona joined the company in August 2018 as our full time secretary, having returned to Castle Douglas after over thirty years living in London. In London she worked initially for an NHS Regional Health Authority HQ and then a private Healthcare Risk Management Consultancy, before moving into Estate Agency where she was employed for over thirteen years.
Kevin is part time with the firm due to his own business as a builder and helps out when needed. Kevin is married to Kimberley.
Joining our company as a part-time undertaker, Kerr holds employment with Arla Foods Creamery in Lockerbie where he is required to carry out shift work. We appreciate that he often rearranges his day-time rests at short notice to assist us in all areas of our service.
Having recently retired after 40 years from his profession serving in the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, Andy joins us as a part-time undertaker, having settled permanently in the area with his every growing family nearby.
Known to his friends as ‘Smug’, this busy man has worked as a part-time undertaker with our company for several years. His duties here must revolve around his other forms of employment where he is casually employed in Forestry; with a fencing contractor’s company, as well as being a part-time senior Fire Fighter in Castle Douglas.
Having left his career in the army, Kevin initially came to us to assist at funerals in his capacity as a very accomplished Piper, but his interest in the business developed, and he now holds a role as one of our part-time undertakers with the company.
Recently Keven was pleased to accept a full-time position as a Fire Fighter in Dumfries but has remained with Bendalls in his capacity as a part-time undertaker whenever his time off allows.
Tracy is a trained Florist and has worked successfully in this business for many years. She joined Bendall’s Funeral Directors in June 2023, initially as a part-time undertaker and mortuary assistant. We were delighted when she recently accepted a full-time position with our small team, where she continues her vital role here as a valued member of staff.
With a professional background of being a self-employed Bookkeeper which she retains part-time, Eileen joined the company in March 2026 as a Funeral Director. Her local knowledge of the area and its indigenous people is a huge asset in her capacity regarding her recent position, being a Castle Douglas lass – born and bred.
Being well-known within our area, Lucy works as a self-employed Gardener for most of the year. She served with pride in the Castle Douglas Fire Brigade for many years before she retired from the post. Joining Bendalls as a part-time undertaker (when time allows), she often covers weekend work until the gardening season ends in the late autumn.
As Andy’s son in law, Russell joined our company as a part-time undertaker in 2025, having previously been a secondary school teacher in the local area for 10 years. He is fluent in both Spanish and French and currently works at Global Bridge as Head of Education.