Our Team offers over 170 years of experience in funeral services………
Our team
Nick Armstrong - Proprietor
Nick started Armstrongs in 1997 after working for some of the bigger companies and becoming disillusioned with some of the practices and procedures. Nick is the main funeral director and main out of hours contact for families. He lives in Banham with wife Davina, daughter Florence and Bob Dog!
A keen traveller he is also into Diving, Kitesurfing and is also a qualified Paraglider and paramotor pilot.
Davina Armstrong - Director
Davina joined Armstrongs in 2012. She is the main point of contact for Pre-Payment Plans and funeral pre-planning and has received the Funeral Planner of the Year Award 2018, and a nomination for 2019.
Davina also manages the business with her husband Nick, and the help of daughter Florence & office dog Bob!.
Oliver Coote – Manager
Oliver was first introduced to the Funeral profession in 1993 as a work experience student and he quickly realised it was a unique and rewarding career path.
He has 26 years experience within the profession and was now delighted to join Nick and his team as their senior Funeral Director (promoted to manager Nov 2020) and continue to serve the local community.
Oliver lives locally in Bury St Edmunds with partner Hayley & daughter Georgia.
In his spare time he enjoy’s holidays in the Channel Islands in particular Guernsey, walking and Freemasonry. In 2015 Oliver personally received the Bury Free Press customer care award.
Lewis Dunnett - Funeral Director
Lewis from a young age quickly realised early on what a rewarding job the funeral industry is and now has 8 years experience, after working for
another funeral company he joined Armstrong’s in 2020.
In his spare time he enjoys kickboxing and trying to keep his
son Elias entertained!
Fiona – Funeral Arranger
Fiona moved from Leicestershire to East Anglia in 2014 joining Armstrongs shortly after. Starting with us as a Receptionist she then progressed to becoming a full time Funeral Arranger.
She enjoys travelling, supporting Leicester Tigers and walking her two dogs.
Michelle - Funeral Arranger
Michelle became a funeral arranger in late 2020 after the empathy and kindness she was shown by the Funeral Director when she was arranging her
Husband’s funeral.
Mum to two sons and is is very proud. Michelle likes visiting new places, the theatre, live music and travel abroad, particularly America where she has family. When she is not busy being a taxi for her sons, Michelle would love to volunteer at the Hospice again.
Claire – Funeral Arranger
Claire joined Armstrongs in jan 2022, having spent the last 16 years working within the care sector. Claire’s passion has always been to help & support during times of need.
Claire enjoys visiting new places and holidays abroard.
Darren - Operations Manager
Darren, has over 23 years experience working within the funeral industry. He joined Armstrong’s in 2017. After working for a large corporate company he wanted to work in an independent business that offers a more personal service. Darren has lived in Bury St Edmunds all his life.
A married father of four who enjoys watching football, walking his two English Bulldogs Bentley and Bluebell and has a keen interest in Marine fishkeeping.
Ian – Conductor & Bearer
Ian joined the company in 1999 and is coming up to 25 years at Armstrongs. He can often be seen conducting funerals as well as being our main Hearse Driver and out of hours Call Manager.
A keen Newcastle supporter he also enjoys travel and being involved in Freemasonry.
James - Driver/Bearer
James is new to the funeral industry, and joined the Armstrongs team in September 2021, Originally an Essex boy from Colchester, James moved to Bury St Edmunds with his girlfriend in 2019.
James has previously worked in the building trade and in the care industry, but loves his new job as a Driver/Bearer.
James enjoys spending time with family, socialising with friends, food, caravanning, food, holidays abroad occasionally going to the gym and more food!!!
Ian - Driver/Bearer
Serving the community has always been a part of Ian’s working life. He served in the Royal Navy & Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. During the last fifteen year’s he has worked at Risby crematorium and local funeral services, returning now to Armstrongs.
Married to Shelly, they have four daughters between them and Rosie the cockerpoo.
Ian’s interests & hobbies include sailing, family holidays & researching their family tree.
Dennis - Driver/Bearer
Dennis previously worked at the Ministry of Defence and then was retained fire fighter for 42 years!
He has been in the funeral industry for 10 years, and in his spare time he enjoys socialising and spending time with is family.
Dave - Driver/Bearer
Dave is a well known local Bury boy who has lived and worked in the town all his life. Previously at Marlow’s and 25 years with British Sugar he has nearly 10 years experience in the funeral industry.
Dave enjoys eating out and walking.
Neil - Driver/Bearer
Neil has been in the funeral profession for 20 years and has worked with us since 2017. A Driver/Bearer he is also often responsible for bringing people into our care on evenings and weekends.
Neil has a smallholding and “enjoys” supporting Ipswich Town F.C.
Bob - The office dog
To call Bob simply the “office dog” would be doing him a massive disservice. He is often asked for by families to sit in on arrangements where he brings a calming influence to the room. Bob was even asked to walk alongside the procession of a gentleman who had always had cairn terriers (thanks Lynn). He even received his very own thank
you letter!
Great with children he is a helpful distraction for them when they come into the office.
Bob can mostly be found sleeping upstairs in the admin office with the girls!
John - Funeral Celebrant
Having found this profession when joining Armstrongs, firstly as a Driver/Bearer, then progressing to conducting funerals, John has said that for the first time in a long working life, this company is where he feels he can contribute most in supporting families.
Believing in what can be achieved in helping families, he has now qualified as a Funeral Celebrant and works exclusively for Armstrongs. With his family & dog Alfie, he relaxes with long early morning walks in a beautiful part of Norfolk.
Find out more at www.suffolkcivilcelebrant.co.uk
