Craigmillar's evolving town centre gains a new addition.

William Purves, Edinburgh’s oldest and best known funeral directors, have opened an office in Craigmillar – the first funeral directors to open in the area. A formal opening and Dedication Service for the office will be held on August 30, 2011, attended by representatives from many local churches and community groups.

William Purves is one of the few privately owned and run family funeral directors remaining in Edinburgh. As a business it remains firmly committed to the traditional values it has honoured for over 200 years and five generations.

The Craigmillar office is run by Marie McCubbin, a well-known and respected figure in the area who does voluntary work with local children and people in need through her church. She has worked with William Purves for the past year and was pleased to be asked to look after her local branch.

She said: “I live in Craigmillar and I love this area, so it’s great to bring a family business like William Purves here. People in Craigmillar want to give their family a good send off, and they’re very interested in what we’re doing.

“We’ve been open for five weeks now and we have a lot of people just dropping in, to talk about pre-planning, and about saving for funerals.”

The office, in the centre of the Craigmillar shopping area at 92 Niddrie Mains Road, is already a part of the community, and uses local services wherever possible – a local florist creates the floral tributes, cleaning is done by a Craigmillar company and hotels nearby provide refreshments after services.

With a calming, quiet arranging room to sit and discuss options and a beautiful viewing room, the William Purves office provides a space for grieving families to plan the best funeral for loved ones and to come and say farewell.

William Purves tries to cater to customers’ requirements, whatever they are – a recent funeral procession followed a winding route through Craigmillar, passing places of importance to the deceased and his family.

All local churches and community groups have been invited to the Dedication Service. Confirmed attendees include Reverend Liz Henderson from Richmond Craigmillar Church of Scotland, Reverend Mez McConnell from Niddrie Community Church at Hay Drive and Reverend Tom Coupar from The Robin Chapel, situated at The Thistle Foundation. Representatives from Craigmillar Community Network and Richmond’s Hope – a bereavement programme for children – are also expected.

There will also be some alternative funeral options on display at the Dedication Service, including a motorcycle hearse that can be hired for people who have enjoyed motorbikes to go out in style.

Still privately owned and family run William Purves can trace its roots back over five generations to a 19th century joinery business. Today from its headquarters, close to Edinburgh’s Bruntsfield Links, five great great grandchildren of its founder work together in the firm.

John Purves, chairman, works alongside his son Tim and fellow directors James Morris and Roger Pagan to uphold the principles on which the business was founded.