At this most difficult and upsetting time, you can rely on us.
'Our concern is your well-being, at a time when you're hurting most.’
‘This is possibly the only business in the world where you have to get it right, first time – every time.’
Michael G Ryan & Son was established on the 1st January 1998. In their first year they directed just four funerals. By 2010, that number had risen to over 150 funerals – and continued demand led to the incorporation of Michael G Ryan, Son & Daughters Ltd on the 1st January 2011.
Michael Ryan insists there is predominantly only one reason behind this: ‘We give the family of the bereaved, the kind of service they want for their loved ones. Nothing more, nothing less.’
'We're not part of a franchised-chain of funeral directors. We don't have their overheads, we don't have their sales targets, and we don't have profit-margins as the main-focus of our attentions.'
Michael started working life as a Carpenter, Joiner and Shop fitter – and eventually became immersed in all forms of building and construction work. His first involvement with the Undertaking business came about when he was commissioned to refurbish the offices of a Newport-based Funeral Director.
‘I was so impressed by the way they conducted themselves and the respect they showed, at all times, to the deceased and the deceased’s family. It really made a lasting impression on me. Before long, I became involved and began working with them – at first just adding little touches here and there – and discovered that I actually got immense satisfaction in providing comfort and support, whilst providing a vital service to the families that I met.’
Following a brief detour ‘up North’ (where he met his then future wife) as a Site Contracts Manager in the construction industry, Michael soon realised he actually had ‘a calling’ to work in the funeral business, so when he received a request to refurbish the offices of another funeral director in Newport, he had no hesitation in returning. Once back, he soon found himself involved in the day-to-day running of that business too – only this time, within six-months, he was actually running it completely! It was then that the idea began to form that he could start his own funeral management service.
Since doing so, he has been joined by wife Pat, son Thomas and daughter Louise – with his second daughter Rachel, set to join the family business in July 2011.
In July 2010 the family business was featured on BBC TV’s ‘The One Show’ and has also enjoyed the spotlight several times over, on HTV Wales.
Michael is Newport born and bred. In 1963 he was the Welsh Schoolboy Inter-County Diving Champion – and between 1968-75, he also represented Scunthorpe and Newport, in Speedway Racing. He is a well-known and popular character around Newport – but as he says: ‘There are several Mike Ryan’s. Darts-man, pool-player, joker . . . but each has its own time and place. I respect people and the occasion, whatever that may be – and in my professional life, people can come to me and get exactly what they want without fear of being subjected to a thinly disguised sales-pitch.’
Michael G Ryan, Son & Daughters Ltd is able to supply, provide and arrange a wide scope of services to help meet all of the requirements of the families of the bereaved. These include but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
· Burial or Cremation
· Hearse conveyance: Traditional, Motorcycle, Horse-drawn, HGV Flatbed
· Repatriation
· Monuments/Gravestones
· Memorial Masons
· All denominational and non-denominational services, including Humanist services
· ‘Green’ (Woodland) Burials
· Caskets, Coffins and Eco-friendly coffins
· Pre-paid funeral plans
The premises will shortly include a private Chapel from where any type of funeral service may be conducted.