Levertons since 1789

History of Levertons

Leases dating from 1789 show John Leverton of Henry Street (click to view map dated 1799) buying land and selling the houses he built on them. At this time, funeral work was conducted by local carpenters “undertaking” to make the coffins and transport the body. Leverton and Sons Ltd has been a family owned company of funeral directors based within the St Pancras area of London for two hundred and twenty years.

In 1763, John Leverton was baptised in the village of Meeth, Devon. One day he packed his bags and in 1789 he made the long journey to London to set up business as a carpenter. Coming from a Devonshire village, eighteenth century London must have seemed a vast place.

Initially, coffin-making would have represented only a small part of the work which employed John all those years ago, but as the area became more densely populated, the funeral side of his work expanded at such a rate that it soon dominated the business.


In the fourth generation of Leverton funeral directors, Henry John (1859-1935) was the eldest son. He moved our business premises to Eversholt Street in 1888. Our head office is in the same street today. His son Stanley (1883-1963) became a partner in 1909 and was later joined by his own sons: Derrick, Ivor and Basil. The seventh generation is represented by Ivor’s sons, Keith (now retired) and Clive. Our Head Office is in Eversholt Street where cousins Pippa and Andrew are based.

As children, Keith and Clive assumed that all houses had the phone ringing in the middle of the night and that everyone’s dads abandoned half-eaten evening meals on a regular basis. Funeral directing as a family trade is unusual because the business affects the lives of your nearest and dearest at all hours of the day. So, as children, the Levertons were always aware that the people on the other end of the telephone had to be treated with great care. This is without doubt where our training began.

Keith recalls meeting the school careers officer for the first time. The man had spent most of his day advising boys that they may not necessarily be selected for Arsenal and trying to convince them that perhaps a back-up plan might be a good idea. Keith sat down and firmly said ‘I want to be a funeral director’. The careers adviser was speechless for some time. Whether it was relief or disbelief, we’ll never know.

Modern communications have made our work much easier. The 24 hour nature of funeral directing can now be shared among several people as opposed to being the job of those who live above a Levertons branch. In the early days, it was the doorbell. Most people died at home 50 years ago and when that happened, we were around the corner - the first port of call for a family in distress.

Download a pdf of an article Basil Leverton wrote for the Camden Historical Society back in 1982 which gives more information about the History.

Contact Levertons

Our business hours are 9am to 5pm, so please contact the branch closest to you within these hours. Alternatively submit an enquiry using our form.

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Need immediate assistance? Please get in touch. In the case of someone dying at home, or if you need to contact us out of our regular office hours, do call us. We can arrange collection 24 hours a day.

Very good service. Respectful, attentive and responsive, the team at Levertons helped make sure Mum's send off was everything she would have wanted

Review by Jon M left on 06 Oct 2025

Google

Deborah was unstintingly thoughtful and compassionate throughout what was a very difficult time, taking care to explain everything clearly and sensitively, and all the other members of her team I spoke to were just as considerate. I really, really cannot recommend Leverton and Sons highly enough.

Review by Richard H left on 06 Oct 2025

Google

I genuinely can't put into words how amazing Lorna and the rest of the team have been in my recent experience of arranging my father's funeral. It's the first time in my life that I've really had to engage and deal with death, let alone having to arrange a funeral after the death of a parent. Needless to say, it's been a difficult time. Lorna at the Kentish Town branch has been supportive, compassionate, sensitive, endlessly knowledgeable and, above all, patient with me during this entire time. The result has been an amazing send off for my father - one that he deserved. Funeral directors are one of those services that we hope we won't have to use again, but if the time comes, I won't hesitate to return back to Levertons. Thank you all so much.

Review by Ellis C left on 05 Oct 2025

Google

Dear lorna, as a family we have been using Levertons for around 30 years. as a family we could not have asked for a better service from you. Politeness, explaining step by step what will happen. Answering all your questions, emails and genuinely always willing to help. I personally wouldn't want to use any other funeral director... Levertons give you everything you need. Thank you Levertons

Review by T Elliott left on 03 Oct 2025

TRUSTist

This is the second time we have entrusted Leverton & Sons service, and we are so grateful for their professionalism, guidance, and kindness throughout the process. They made a very difficult time much easier for us.”

Review by Antonia D left on 03 Oct 2025

TRUSTist

This was the first time I have had to arrange a funeral for an immediate family member and I found Lorna from the Kentish Town branch both incredibly compassionate and extremely helpful in the circumstances. Lorna and Libby’s (our celebrant) guidance helped us pull together a well-received service for my late Dad. Would not hesitate to recommend or use again.

Review by Justin H left on 20 Sep 2025

Google

When my mother sadly passed away last month there was only one company that we would trust with her funeral arrangements and that was Leverton &sons. We left everything to them and they did not disappoint. A friendly, approachable and professional service from start to finish, thank you for making a sad time that bit easier.

Review by Keith O left on 18 Sep 2025

Google

We recently had a funeral with Levertons and as a family we were astonished by the impeccable service they provided. Their professionalism, support, dignity and overall knowledge was fantastic. Our family member Janet had pre paid her own funeral and this was a seamless service with no hidden fees. Deborah was so professional and polite and approachable that it made their service Ben better. Deborah's knowledge was second to none and made the whole process easier. Out family have been using Levertons for many years - over 25 years and this is why our family continues to to use their service..

Review by Siobhan C left on 03 Sep 2025

TRUSTist

I went with Leverton as I really had no idea where to start with planning a funeral, and a family member had used their services previously. Michael was enormously helpful at a very stressful time, making everything super easy for me when I had no idea how things worked. He was always at the end of an email with a quick reply whatever the question or request. On the day, the funeral service was really lovely and well run. All their arrangements went super smoothly and they accommodated whatever request we had. If you’re anything like I was (doing this for the first time, at a bit of a loss, and just wanting some kind help planning a good funeral) I highly highly recommend Leverton.

Review by Phoebe R left on 03 Sep 2025

Google

I cannot praise Leverton and Sons highly enough. The professionalism, organisation and empathy they showed in organising my mother's funeral was of the highest standard. There was incredible attention to detail and the service was flawless. A huge thank you to all involved.

Review by Christian A left on 02 Sep 2025

Google

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