History Timeline
Humble beginnings
1690
A company evolving
1730
The Duke of Wellington passes
1852
Finding its fortunes - Late 18th century
1899
Remembering Queen Victoria
1901
An historic funeral for Edward VII
1910
A crematorium opens
1936
The family resists a takeover
1956
A new era
1994
CPJ Field & Co is born
2005
Rights returned and a stamp of excellence
2013
Humble beginnings
1690
It’s the late 17th century and the Field family enters the funeral profession for the first time, as they begin to build coffins for use in funeral ceremonies.
A company evolving
1730
The family begins specialising in funeral furnishing. In addition to crafting coffins, work now involves dressing the coffins and performing the funeral ceremony.
The Duke of Wellington passes
1852
The Field family assists with the funeral of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. A grand affair held in the country’s capital, the Duke of Wellington’s funeral was the last heraldic state funeral to be held in the United Kingdom.
Finding its fortunes - Late 18th century
1899
Now operating as JD Field & Son, the company moves from Southwark to a more prestigious location on Blackfriars Road. It’s from here that the business really starts to flourish, extending its range of services, and taking on a selection of high-end clients.
Remembering Queen Victoria
1901
In 1901, the Fields are enlisted to assist with arrangements for the funeral of Queen Victoria, which is held in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday 2nd February.
The funeral is a military affair, with white being worn, in preference over the traditional black. Attention to detail is greater than ever. The Queen’s engraved coffin plate, for example, takes some six proofs before being finalised.
An historic funeral for Edward VII
1910
The Field family once again assists with the arrangements for an historic funeral. This time, for Edward VII.
In the two days during which the monarch’s body is on display at Westminster Hall, an estimated 400,000 members of the public visit to pay their respects.
Historian, Barbara W. Tuchman, described the funeral as “the greatest assemblage of royalty and rank ever gathered in one place.”
A crematorium opens
1936
After much hard work, the family is proud to open a crematorium at the Streatham cemetery. Its success far outstrips expectations, soon becoming responsible for 20% of all cremations in London.
The family resists a takeover
1956
Edward Ernest Field successfully fights off growing interest from the Amalgamated Tobacco Corporation, who seem intent on building their presence in the cremation market.
As a result of the interest, the Board begins the process of returning 100% of company shares to the Field family.
A new era
1994
38 years after the previous approach, JD Field & Sons is again targeted for takeover by a US conglomerate. Despite an impassioned defence, family ownership is lost.
Later in the same year, however, Colin and Barry Field establish a new firm, marking the beginning of the company’s modern era.
CPJ Field & Co is born
2005
Jeremy, Emily, and Charles Field acquire a significant interest in the company. To reflect the reinforced family involvement, the company is renamed CPJ Field & Co.
The new name also aims to recognise the valued participation of many non-family colleagues throughout the years.
Rights returned and a stamp of excellence
2013
The family regains the rights to the JD Field & Sons name, reuniting them with more than 300 years of history.
In the same year, CPJ Field & Co is proud to be named FBU Family Business of the Year for London and the South East.
