The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Coun Andy Matchet (left) and Ali Kurji, Chief Executive of the Heart of England Co-operative Society.

The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Coventry joined local community leaders at the opening of Coventry’s first dedicated Asian funeral home.

About 60 invited guests, including leading members of the city’s Asian community and city councillors, turned up to mark the official opening of the £1.3 million home, which stands on the site of the former Lateshop in Foleshill Road.

Although the primary aim of the home is to give Coventry’s Asian community wider choice, using staff who understand their individual cultures and needs, it is not exclusive for the Asian community and it has the facilities to serve client families of all nationalities, races and religions and is the epitome of the Society’s philosophy of meeting the needs of the community.

Society bosses have hand-picked three key members of staff, who between them have an understanding of diverse cultural needs and requirements.

Darryl Smith, General Manager of the Heart of England Co-operative Society’s Funeral Division, said he was delighted with the level of response to the home which started taking bookings right from day one.

He said: “When we conducted our survey last year more than two thirds of the 200 people we spoke to were Asian and we were constantly being told they felt they needed more of an understanding of their particular needs and cultures.

“We are delighted with the positive response we have already had to the Asian funeral home – not just from the Foleshill area but the wider Coventry community.”

As part of the Society’s bid to expand its range of services throughout the network, client families at the new home will also be offered specialist services such as legal advice on wills, probate, floral tributes and a range of coffins and memorialisation opportunities.