About Us
We are a family run funeral directors, that pride ourselves on offering a dignified, caring and personal funeral service to the people of Oldham, and its surrounding areas.
Wild & Brierley was founded back in 1890 by Mr John Wild, making us one of the oldest funeral services in Oldham and its surrounding areas.
A few years later Mr John Wild was joined by his son Mr Robert Wild. Robert had the foresight to form a partnership with a certain Mr Samuel Brierley and this led to the household name many generations have trusted to care for their loved ones......... Wild & Brierley.
In 1932 Samuel Brierley sadly passed away and in 1933 Robert Wild sadly followed. Up stepped another John Wild who carried on the family tradition along with his brothers Edward and Robert. In July 1939 John’s son Mr Robert Wild Jr started work aged 22 years. After many years of service, Mr. Robert Wild then opted to leave the companies to his grandson Mr Robert Wild Jr.
Under Mr Wild’s care the companies went from strength to strength and he realised that he couldn’t handle the pressures alone, he soon found himself two business partners, two true characters and gentlemen, Mr Arthur Prince and Mr Geoffrey Hoyle.
In 1992 Darren Clark joined the team as a funeral director. Darren gained Mr Wild's trust and it wasn't long after that Mr Wild decided it was time for him to enjoy life and retire leaving Darren in charge. With Darren at the helm, the business grew and went from strength to strength. In 2009 it was decided that Darren would acquire the companies from the Wild family to make sure it continued as a family business with the same traditions and ethos.
Darren established himself as one of the industry's best, becoming the youngest ever NAFD (National Association of Funeral Directors) President, the youngest ever County Commissioner of St John Ambulance, and is now proudly by Royal appointment Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for Greater Manchester. Darren has also recently taken on a new role as a Trustee for the Manchester based homeless charity The Mustard Tree.
In 2008 his son Michael left college and decided to come on board to ensure the family tradition continued. Again, this turned into a wise business decision as before long Michael took the reign of the family's other company Harold P. Heywood and became arguably the youngest ever Funeral Director in the Oldham and Manchester area.
We hope to become a 3rd generation family business with Michael having two daughters who we foresee continuing the long established Wild & Brierley legacy.
Wild & Brierley is also affiliated with T Collins & Son (Lees) and Harold P Heywood (Failsworth).
