In 1996, Tapper Funeral Service took premises in Wimborne Road, Moordown and was delighted to welcome Alan Rice as Company Director and Funeral Director at this office.

Alan, Bournemouth born and bred, began his career at Bournemouth Crematorium in 1978 as a certified cremator operator and chapel attendant. In 1984, he took the opportunity to train as a Funeral Director, rising through the ranks to Area Manager, overseeing five branches. In this role, Alan found himself drawn further away from bereaved families, and so welcomed the opportunity to join Tapper Funeral Service in 1996, where he has been able to fully utilise his Diploma in Funeral Directing, and CFSMA Funeral Management Diploma.

Address: 987 Wimborne Road, Moordown, Bournemouth, Dorset. BH9 2BS (map)

Email: bournemouth@tapperfuneralservice.co.uk

Phone: 01202 549555

Broadstone

Being on the outskirts of Poole, Tapper Funeral Service has always enjoyed an excellent relationship with the community of Broadstone, and so it seemed a natural and important progression to open an office to better serve bereaved families in this area.

1986 saw the opening of a small funeral home in Macauley Road but, within a fairly short space of time, it became clear that larger premises would be required. Such premises were acquired in 1994, and more recently in March 2025, the office has once again relocated. Our contemporary premises offers several spacious lounges, chapels of rest and ample car parking. 

Lydia Proudley, who joined the company in 2014, has achieved her Diploma in Funeral Directing and been promoted to the role of Senior Funeral Director and Branch Manager. Jonnie Seymour joined the team in 2021 as a Funeral Director and Prepayment Administrator. More recently, Sharon Fuller joined Lydia and Jonnie as Funeral Director’s Assistant, completing the intimate and friendly team.

Address: 201-203 Lower Blandford Road, Broadstone, Dorset, BH18 8DL

Email: broadstone@tapperfuneralservice.co.uk

Phone: 01202 694449

In 2006 an opportunity arose to purchase a garage and car showroom on the corner of Barrack Road and Portfield Road in Christchurch. By the end of 2009 the old buildings had been demolished and a new purpose-built funeral home designed and built. The new funeral home offers ample parking for clients, a comfortable private lounge in which to discuss arrangements, a private chapel of rest and a Ceremony Hall with full audio/visual and webcasting facilities for funeral ceremonies to be conducted.

Tapper Funeral Service is proud to serve the people of Christchurch and surrounding areas from this funeral home.

Chris Johnson is the Branch Manager and has been in the profession for nearly 20 years and achieved his Diploma in Funeral Directing in 2011. Chris has gained his many years of experience working mostly in the Bournemouth and Poole areas in every role within the funeral profession, gaining a vast knowledge of each aspect. He is also a prepayment specialist. Chris is supported by Funeral Director Jessica Ratcliffe and receptionist Vanessa Dowsett.

Address: 89/91 Barrack Road, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 2AJ (map)

Email: enquire@tapperfuneralservice.co.uk

Phone: 01202 478887

The Hayley name has been associated with serving bereaved families in Highcliffe, New Milton and the surrounding areas for more than fifty years. Colin Hayley was a Funeral Director in New Milton from the 1950’s until only just before his death in 2014; an extraordinary personal commitment to his local community.

In 1992, Colin Hayley and the Tapper Family joined forces and opened a funeral home in Old Milton Road, and in 1995, a further funeral home was opened in Lymington Road, Highcliffe. Colin's son Julian followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Company in 1993 and in turn, Julian’s wife Sue soon afterwards.

In 2010 the old building in Lymington Road was demolished to make way for a new, purpose built funeral home, which was opened in May 2011 and offers a spacious and modern environment with the Highcliffe Castle Chapel of Rest.

Since 2022 Jack Stanisstreet took up the role of Manager and Funeral Director for the area working alongside Julian and Sue. He brings with him over 15 years of experience of funeral arranging from funeral homes across Sussex, London and Dorset.

Address: 257 Lymington Road, Highcliffe On Sea, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 5FD (map)

Email: highcliffe@tapperfuneralservice.co.uk

Phone: 01425 272764

Milford-on-Sea is a small coastal village with a strong community spirit in a beautiful part of Hampshire. A funeral home has existed in the heart of the village for many years, and in 2001, Tapper Funeral Service took over the running of the business. A very old building, believed to have been a coach house in Victorian times, the funeral home was extensively refurbished to offer the highest standard of facilities, while retaining the front façade to be in keeping with the rest of the village. 

SInce 2016 Paul Dowsett is manager of the funeral home and brings with him years of experience of funeral arranging in the Bournemouth/Christchurch area.

Address: Wallis House, 28 High Street, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, SO41 0QD (map)

Email: milfordonseaoffice@tapperfuneralservice.co.uk

Phone: 01590 644664

The Hayley name has been associated with serving bereaved families in Highcliffe, New Milton and the surrounding areas for more than fifty years. Colin Hayley was a Funeral Director in New Milton from the 1950’s until only just before his death in 2014; an extraordinary personal commitment to his local community.

In 1992, Colin Hayley and the Tapper Family joined forces and opened a funeral home in Old Milton Road, and in 1995, a further funeral home was opened in Lymington Road, Highcliffe. Colin's son Julian followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Company in 1993 and in turn, Julian’s wife Sue soon afterwards.

Since 2022 Jack Stanisstreet and Caroline Rampino joined the team heading up the New Milton Funeral Home with an emphasis on working closely with the local communities.

New Milton is proud to have its very own ceremony hall.  A beautiful, relaxed, alternative setting for families who may not want the traditional crematorium venue, where it can sometimes feel like a conveyor belt. Each service is tailored to suit the families wishes, whether that is a more traditional service or a lively celebration of life with a champagne toast. Please do feel free to come and take a look for yourself.

Address: 51 - 53 Old Milton Road, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DJ (map)

Email: newmilton@tapperfuneralservice.co.uk

Phone: 01425 629000

The Parkstone Road office forms the central hub of Tapper Funeral Service. It is here that vehicles and facilities are based, along with the administration centre for the company.

The company was founded in 1904 and operated from premises in old Poole, before moving to the present site. During the 1950’s 34 Parkstone Road was not only the office for the funeral service, but also the home of Cyril Tapper and his young family. It continued to offer this multi functional facility for some time before the family moved out and it became a funeral home in its own right. In the mid 1970’s Christopher Tapper was able to purchase 32 Parkstone Road for well under £30,000. A joining of these two properties and major refit ensued, While retaining its classic exterior, Parkstone Road has become the most advanced funeral home in the area.

Christopher’s sons, Steven and Paul, joined the business in 1985 and 1988 respectively. This closed the circle for the family, with their mother, Jane working in an administrative role. Christopher retired in 2002, leaving Steven and Paul to jointly run the company from this office. They work alongside a team of highly experienced funeral directors, all of whom have been living and working in the Poole area for many years. Each has been hand picked for the many and varied skills they offer. Christopher too remains involved in a consultancy capacity, and as Senior Director.

Address: 32 - 34 Parkstone Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 2PG (map)

Email: pooleoffice@tapperfuneralservice.co.uk

Phone: 01202 673164

Barrow Bros Funeral service has been a well respected name in the Ringwood community for well over a century, and in 2001, the Tapper family was delighted to join forces with Peter Crutcher and his team to build on this reputation and to offer Ringwood families the highest standard of care. The partnership saw a move from the existing offices to new fully refurbished premises in Southampton Road, thus continuing the Tapper tradition of providing the very best facilities to bereaved families. Peter has stepped back from the day-to-day running of the funeral service to concentrate on other interests, but remains involved in a consultancy role. 

The team is now led by Ringwood born-and-bred Linda Turner. Linda is well known in Ringwood for among other things, her work with the Ellingham Show.

Address: 29a Southampton Road, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 1HB (map)

Email: ringwood@tapperfuneralservice.co.uk

Phone: 01425 472104

Woods & Tapper Funeral Service have served the local community of Dorchester and the surrounding areas for a number of years. They provide a comprehensive range of services from practical assistance with arranging a funeral through to advice and support for the bereaved.

Pauline J Guy, Funeral Director & Manager is a member of Institute of Funeral Directors and holds the Diploma in Funeral Directing. Pauline joined the company in 2005, following a long career in banking and finance. Becci Wiles, Funeral Director, joined the company in September 2020. She has lived on Portland and in Weymouth all of her life and after a 9 year career for a Condor Ferries she began working in the funeral industry as a funeral operative for 4 years before becoming a Funeral Director. Harry Godden, Funeral Director & Operative, joined the company in March 2021. Having completed an apprenticeship in Customer Services at Weymouth College in July 2022, is now continuing to develop his role as a funeral director.

Address:  6 Albert Rd, Dorchester DT1 1SF (map)

Email:  enquiries@woodsfuneralservices.co.uk

Phone: 01305 250425