A long-established Wakefield funeral business has strengthened its presence in the local community with the opening of a new branch in Normanton.
Harpin’s Funeral Service, part of the Funeral Partners family of high-quality funeral businesses, has opened its latest funeral home in Normanton High Street, expanding its network of branches which already serves families in Wakefield, Outwood and Horbury.
The decision to open in Normanton is rooted in Harpin’s family history and long-standing ties to the area. Business Principal Sara Harpin’s aunt served the community as a District Nurse, while her late uncle was a Funeral Director, both based in nearby Altofts.
Over the years, conversations with local families repeatedly highlighted how valuable it would be to have a Harpin’s Funeral Service that was easy to reach and offered genuine choice close to home.
Sara Harpin said: “Normanton has always held a special place in our family. My Uncle Les and Aunty Doreen both dedicated their working lives to caring for people in this area, and opening in Normanton feels like keeping a quiet promise we made through those conversations. We’ve cared for many Normanton families for years, and now we can be closer to them, right at the heart of their community.”
The Normanton branch is being managed by Funeral Director Jane Britton, who joined Harpin’s in October 2025. Jane has strong personal links to the town, having spent a great deal of time in Normanton while her brother played for the Normanton Knights Rugby Club all the way from a child to his professional career, with her father coaching the under-8s team for several years.
Jane said: “I joined Harpin’s because I wanted to work within a personal, family-focused service. I was first drawn to the profession because I wanted to provide the best care I could during a really difficult time – joining Harpin’s means I can spend meaningful time with families, and serve the local community with the same compassion, dignity and personal care that Harpin’s has been known for almost 100 years.”
Founded in the 1930s by Leonard and Vera Harpin, the business was led from the early 1960s by Sara Harpin’s father and sister, who built its reputation for warmth, integrity and genuine community care. In April 2022, Harpin’s Funeral Directors chose to join Funeral Partners to help secure the business for the long term – ensuring the Harpin’s name, staff and way of working could continue while gaining the extra support and investment needed to keep serving local families for many years to come.
The new funeral home brings Harpin’s long‑established care to a wider area, offering a welcoming, modern space for families at a difficult time. Alongside the traditional and personalised funerals Harpin’s is known for, the new premises provide improved facilities, private arrangement rooms and easier access for local people. Families will also have the option of unattended (direct) cremations, as well as the opportunity to take out a funeral plan for those who wish to make arrangements in advance.
Community involvement is already a key focus for the new branch. Jane is creating a community support board within the funeral home and has secured kit sponsorship for the Normanton Knights Under-11s Girls Team. She has also become a regular face at Normanton Library’s Tuesday morning Coffee & Chat group.
Sam Kershaw, CEO of Funeral Partners, said: “Harpin’s is a business with deep roots in the Wakefield area and a long-standing reputation for compassionate, personal care. The opening of the Normanton branch reflects everything we value as a group – supporting trusted local funeral homes to grow in a way that genuinely benefits the communities they serve. We are proud to support the Harpin’s team as they extend their care into the heart of Normanton.”
For more information about Harpin’s Funeral Service please visit their website
