Our History
The business spans five generations and was established in 1910 by William Samuel Gayton and his wife Elizabeth. William was, at that time, the Village Undertaker, Carpenter and Wheelwright.
The business was then taken over by his son, Archibald John Gayton and his wife Lilian. Their eldest son Arthur William (John) and his wife Maureen took over the business when Archibald retired.

William Samuel Gayton

Archibald John Gayton
By 1985 John and Maureen’s son David William had joined the business. In 1998 their daughter Jane Elizabeth became involved, studying and gaining a DIP. FD (Diploma in Funeral Directing from the National Association of Funeral Directors (N.A.F.D.)).
David married Liz in 2005 and they have two children, Henry and Lucie. Jane married Marlon in 2007 and they have a daughter, Ruby.
The business is currently run by David and Jane Gayton. The Funeral Directors are David and Jane, Martyn Street, who has been part of the team since 2000, Jack Cornell (David’s step-son) who started in 2010, Andrew James, DIP. F.A.A. (Funeral Arranging and Administration (N.A.F.D.)) (who started in 2016).
Taking care of the administration are Emily Reed – David’s step-daughter, Kaye Wilton, Danielle Tubbs and Katie Wells.
Nigel Dawson and Andy Ford are responsible for looking after our Chapel and vehicles.
Pickett Meadow
Throughout our 110 year history we have had the privilege of tending to the needs of many generations of local families.
Pickett Meadow is a purpose built funeral home within Fremington which provides an exceptional location for the ongoing provision of services to families at the highest standard.
Our landscaped grounds offer privacy and a calm green space for families to reflect in nature.
There is still a family home within its grounds.