Sims and Jones Independent Funeral Directors was established in 2014 by father and son, Gareth and Matthew Sims & friend, Geraint Rhys Jones. Gareth who has over 40 years’ experience in the funeral profession, Matthew over 12 years and Geraint who was the producer, director and cameraman of the S4C commissioned television series Traen Lan. Through Geraint’s research of the profession, and time spent with many different funeral directors, Geraint’s experience meant that he could identify positives and bring those strengths to the business. The team was completed shortly after its inception, by the arrival of Elwyn Marfell-Jones, who is a local, well established driving instructor and businessman.
Gareth had been a Funeral Director for many years, working for D.G. Attwell Funeral Directors, Brynhyfryd, Swansea, where Matthew also began his career under his father’s guidance. Matthew then moved on to work for Co-Operative Fueralcare, Swansea, and ended his time at the company as the Funeral Co-Ordinator for South West Wales. Gareth and Matthew had a short time away from the funeral profession running independent businesses of their own. Matthew returned to the profession, venturing to the capital city, Cardiff, where he became a Funeral Director, and honed his skills in the multi cultural surroundings.
Sims and Jones was created with the desire to bring compassion and care when needed most. Yes, a service that many have been providing in the area for generations, but Sims and Jones has the added ethos of providing transparency, clarity, and to re-introduce the respect and esteem that was once associated with the profession of a Funeral Director or Undertaker.
Away from the business, Gareth and Matthew have a music and choral background. Gareth as a well know Male Voice Choir conductor and Matthew as a Masters Graduate in Advanced Vocal Studies, who completed his degree under the watchful eye of International Tenor Dennis O’Neill and International Soprano, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Currently Gareth is the Organist at Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston, and Matthew is also following in his father footsteps yet again, as the conductor of Gwalia Singers, Swansea.
Sims and Jones have now celebrated 10 years of business. As well as supporting many familys in the past 10 years, they currently assist the local authority with public health funerals. Gareth single handedly carries out the running of the business and is now in his 52nd year of working in the funeral profession.