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.
Our professional attention throughout the arrangements, including local removal of deceased in office hours, use of private mortuary and viewing in Chapel of Rest, care of the deceased, administration, bearers and funeral director’s attendance (in hours) at the funeral.
Local removal of deceased in office hours, administration, a simple coffin, transportation to a crematorium of our choice on a day and at a time of our choosing, all necessary staff, crematorium fees. There will be no funeral service and no attendance.
To be paid in full in advance.
Local removal of deceased in office hours, administration, a simple coffin, hearse to convey coffin direct to a selected crematorium, chapel time early in the day (Monday-Friday) to allow attendance of mourners, crematorium fee.
To be paid in full in advance.
* Included in the Standardised Price for an attended funeral
Plain veneered coffin
Mahogany veneered coffin
Panelled or plain-sided oak veneered coffin
Panelled oak veneered casket
Solid plain-sided mahogany coffin
Solid plain-sided oak coffin
Solid panelled mahogany coffin with raised lid
Solid panelled oak coffin with raised lid
Solid mahogany, oak or Jacobean casket with raised lid
Solid panelled mahogany, oak or Jacobean casket with raised lid
Metal or wood
Natural - Traditional option
Natural option
Natural option
Natural option
Natural - Rounded option
Natural - Rounded option (Other colours available)
Black or grey.
Black or grey.
Spun Metal Urn
Biodegradable Material Urns
Bamboo and Willow Urns
Oak Casket
Solid Mahogany casket
Cardboard Tube
Square Cardboard Tube
(Please note £50 is a large size – please enquire for prices for all the sizes)
Temporary preservation
Charges for local removal out of hours, including night time, weekends & bank holidays
(or part thereof)
Our professional attention throughout the arrangements, including local in-hours removal, use of Chapel of Rest and administration for repatriation.
Temporary preservation for overseas travel. For repatriation by air, there is a legal requirement for the deceased to be embalmed.
For transport beyond the UK and Ireland: a basic zinc-lined hermetically sealed solid wood coffin is required
Time permitting, a hermetically sealed zinc lining can be added to most of our coffins in our range for an additional charge. Airlines require the deceased to be transported in a hermetically (airtight) sealed coffin (excludes Ireland and within the UK).
At the Camden branch of Levertons,James met us in our grief with a quiet professional manner.He arranged the funeral ,step by step,consulting us all the way.What had been for me,a dreaded event ,became a most wonderful,memorable experience.I can't recommend Levertons highly enough,or thank them enough.
Review by helen a left on 25 Jun 2025
From the planning of the service to the day of the funeral itself, Levertons displayed empathy and professionalism in all regards. I would unhesitatingly recommend Levertons for sensitive and supportive work that goes the extra mile and is intensely human in its advice and understanding.
Review by Paul B left on 24 Jun 2025
Andrew Leverton's Service can only be described as impecable. The personal touch provided by Andrew himself and his team, the calm explanations and effortless arrangements made the whole process smooth and effortless, which was invaluable to our family at this difficult time.
Review by George Z left on 24 Jun 2025
Levertons recently dealt with the arrangements for my husband's funeral. I found them (and particularly James) to be efficient, kind and compassionate during a very difficult time. Highly recommended.
Review by Kathryn P left on 23 Jun 2025
Leverton & Son handled the repatriation of my sister to Ireland with great care and professionalism. Their support and compassion meant a lot during a very difficult time.
Review by Marie T left on 22 Jun 2025
The funeral was organised by Levertons [Lorna at Kentish town] was complete efficiency and kindness. She advised us what to do and when and was a real support.
Review by Ceridwen R left on 20 Jun 2025
I can highly recommend Leverton. They are both very professional, sympathetic and supportive. They handled my darling Mum's funeral with dignity, grace and most importantly kindness and understanding. Nothing was too much trouble. Thank you very much.
Review by Corinne E left on 19 Jun 2025
Drew at Leverton was very helpful and caring during the whole process from planning to the actual funeral. They took care of everything discreetly and without a hitch. Leverton also provided a Celebrant, Libby, who was also excellent, both with the planning of the service and with her contributions to the eulogies. During a difficult time, we were very grateful to Leverton for their help and support. Happy to recommend
Review by Anton R left on 19 Jun 2025
Everything was handled professionally and in accordance with my wishes, from initial contact through to the funeral and administration after. It was a very easy process, aided by Drew's calm and sensitive approach.
Review by William M left on 19 Jun 2025
Levertons took care of my dad’s funeral arrangements recently. They literally took care of everything & everyone. Special mention must go to Julie Avery who was the funeral director who looked after us. Nothing was too much trouble for Julie. She went above & beyond to help us sort the perfect funeral for my wonderful dad & in a relatively short space of time. Thank you does not go far enough to show how much we appreciate everything that was done to make a sad time run as smoothly as possible. I would highly recommend Levertons to anyone.
Review by Geraldine K left on 18 Jun 2025
