Fermanagh funeral director named as best in Northern Ireland

Marcus Madill Funeral Directors and his team were named the Best Independent Funeral Director and The Best Undertaker in Northern Ireland, and Ian Fee was named Best Celebrant in Northern Ireland at the awards.

Ian Fee (Image: Ian Fee)

The event was held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast on May 24, presented by Adrian Logan.

All entries were nominated and voted for by the public over a 10-day period prior to the event.

In addition, Marcus Madill Funeral Directors were finalists in the Special Recognition Award and Memorial Keepsakes NI Award.

Mr. Madill said his team will be forever grateful to all the families for their support, encouragement and kindness shown to them.

Stephen Scott, Lee Morrison, John Ennis, Marcus Madill, David Madill and Raymond Crawford (Image: UGC)

He said: “We are totally blown away and taken back by the incredible support shown to us over the last number of weeks.

“I have an amazing team behind me, which played a massive part in getting us to where we are today.

“We work extremely hard to give 100 per cent in everything we do and it is a privilege to look after each family's loved one that they trust within our care.

"It is something we aim to do and take great pride in.  We will continue to carry this on in the years ahead.”

Recognising the achievement of Mr. Fee, he said: “We would also like to give a special mention and congratulations to Mr. Fee from Lisnaskea, who won the award for Best Celebrant in NI.”

Mr. Fee spoke of his appreciation that the celebrant’s role in funerals was acknowledged in these awards.

He said: “It’s a relatively new element to the funeral services industry in Northern Ireland, but more and more people are looking for something very personal and meaningful as they celebrate their loved one’s life and memory.

“Everyone has the right to live life their way, with all the diversity and uniqueness life can offer, so their end-of-life ritual should be able to reflect this. The award is certainly a recognition of this.

"The real honour is the trust that is placed in me as the celebrant, as with the funeral director, to help the family say farewell and to be a part of such a significant and emotional gathering.

“My wife, Roisin, my family and friends, and many of the families I’ve worked with in the past were so supportive of me during the nomination process, and the award is as much for them as it is for me.

“It was great that both of the Fermanagh nominees, myself and Marcus Madill, brought home awards on the night. It's a real encouragement to continue offering the best service we can to those who call on us.