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Sittingbourne undertaker goes 'green' with delivery of hybrid hearse and limousines

An undertaker is among the first in the county to move towards more eco-friendly funerals with a hybrid hearse.

Alex Whitmey, who runs independent William Whitmey Funeral Directors in Sittingbourne, has also taken delivery of two hybrid limousines altogether worth £335,000.

Sittingbourne undertakers William Whitmey Funeral Directors have taken delivery of a new fleet of eco-friendly hybrid limousines and hearse worth £335,000. Pictured with the firm's founder Alex Whitmey
Sittingbourne undertakers William Whitmey Funeral Directors have taken delivery of a new fleet of eco-friendly hybrid limousines and hearse worth £335,000. Pictured with the firm's founder Alex Whitmey

The 56-year-old said: "This makes us the first funeral company in the town to move away from big gas-guzzling engines and towards an electric and greener future."

He added: "We are looking to lead the way for a cleaner environment for all by reducing our company's carbon footprint."

The new fleet, with personalised number plates, was delivered on a transporter by specialist vehicle providers Coleman Milne to Whitmey's headquarters in Chalkwell Road on Tuesday.

The fleet features a Norwood Classic hybrid hearse and two matching 20-feet long Rosendale limousines, all based on a Ford Mondeo Titanium chasis.

They are powered by 2-litre petrol engines for long journeys and a whisper-quiet 1.4 kWh electric motor for shorter, low-speed runs.

Alex Whitmey who runs William Whitmey Funeral Directors from Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne
Alex Whitmey who runs William Whitmey Funeral Directors from Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne

They replace two Ford Dorchester limousines and a Ford Cardinal hearse.

Penge-born Mr Whitmey founded his company eight years ago after moving to Sittingbourne with his wife Nadine, who is accounts manager.

He entered the profession by chance as a grave digger in Beckenham.

He said: “It was my first job after I left school at 15. I wanted to join the Army but had to wait until I was 18. But I fell in love with the job. I like helping people. You can’t do this job if you don’t have a natural empathy.”

He set up the firm using his first name although he prefers to use his middle name, Alex.

Unloading a new fleet of hybrid limousines and hearse for Sittingbourne firm William Whitmey Funeral Directors
Unloading a new fleet of hybrid limousines and hearse for Sittingbourne firm William Whitmey Funeral Directors
Sittingbourne undertakers William Whitmey Funeral Directors have taken delivery of a new fleet of eco-friendly hybrid limousines and hearse worth £335,000
Sittingbourne undertakers William Whitmey Funeral Directors have taken delivery of a new fleet of eco-friendly hybrid limousines and hearse worth £335,000

He said: “I was working for Transport for London and commuting every day and took a severance package. I missed the funeral trade and decided to use the money and my savings to branch out on my own.”

Two years ago he invested £100,000 in a second office in London Road, Teynham.

The award-winning company has a full-time staff of five and a team of eight it can call on.

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