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.

Immediate Assistance

In the case of someone dying at home, or if you need to contact us for immediate assistance out of our office hours, please do call us. We can arrange collection at any time of day or night:

Leverton showed me and my family kindness, compassion and understanding from the minute I picked up the phone. They helped us plan the exact funeral that we wanted. It was a pleasure to deal with such a professional team at a incredibly difficult time. My family and I cannot thank them enough.

Review by Amal A left on 30 Apr 2025

TRUSTist

I want to thank Carmel and the Levertons team for helping me arrange a beautiful send off for my mum. Planning a funeral while grieving is extremely difficult, but Carmel made the process so much easier. She was kind, thoughtful and caring throughout, and her support meant a lot to me and my family during such a difficult time.

Review by Daine S left on 29 Apr 2025

TRUSTist

Very professional and every question asked acknowledged. Would definitely recommend.

Review by T Deakin left on 29 Apr 2025

TRUSTist

Lorna I just wanted to express my gratitude fir the beautiful service of my late uncle. Levertons have never failed us when looking after us and our loved ones in death. I would always recommend Levertons. Thanks for everything Lorna

Review by Y Slingsby left on 29 Apr 2025

TRUSTist

We were treated well without any fault. Procedure was explained in details before the funeral and I felt comfortable.. The funeral was so well organised and performed smoothly, people attended commented so. I appreciate very much, thank you. Kimiko Kambe-Gang

Review by Kimiko K left on 28 Apr 2025

Google

Very professional

Review by Connor M left on 28 Apr 2025

TRUSTist

Profesional and very helpful.Thank you forn helping us.

Review by Lena M left on 28 Apr 2025

Google

Levertons are our go to funeral directors for all our family funerals, they are very professional, and curtius company, a big thank you to all the Levertons staff for our most recent funeral service,

Review by Anthony G left on 28 Apr 2025

Google

Drew and his team at Leverton & Sons Ltd. could not have done more to take me through the process of organising my late twin brother's funeral; they were professional, yet understanding, empathetic and patient (this being the first funeral I have had to organise), and I felt helped every step of the way. The fact that we had to organise things 'long distance' as we are not local to where my twin brother lived (so over the 'phone and by email) was no obstacle to them. The funeral itself was just what I wanted. Thank you.

Review by William W left on 28 Apr 2025

TRUSTist

We used Leverton’s recently to take care of the funeral arrangements for our Mum. They were incredibly professional yet approachable at all points, and managed both the larger organisation and small details very well. Deborah was lovely to deal with and made us feel like we were in very safe hands, on the run up to the funeral and indeed on the day itself when everything went perfectly, just as we had hoped. Her local knowledge meant that her recommendations of funeral location, florist, wake venue and celebrant all proved successful too and just right for what we needed. Very happy to recommend. Many thanks.

Review by Annabel M left on 28 Apr 2025

Google

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