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Serving Generations Since 1913

When you place your trust in Robert Samson you can expect the highest standards of professionalism, compassionate care and a truly distinct service. Whatever you need, whatever your plans, lean on our experience.

Founder Robert Samson was a joiner by trade and set up the company in 1913. As was common around this time, he made coffins and as an extension to this, conducted funerals for his customers. Robert’s son George joined the business and they expanded the joinery base to provide housebuilding, caravan construction, tree surgery as well as coffin manufacture. George eventually succeeds his father as owner manager. Following George’s death in 1962, his own son, also Robert (Bob) and a masterjoiner, and wife Sheila, take over the reins. In 1965, they acquire James L Wallace in Dundee and a decade later, close the joinery side of his business to focus solely on funerals. Nine years later in 1984, their son David, joined the company and in 2000 took over
as Managing Director for the next 16 years. In 2015, David sought out another family business with ethics and experience to take on the legacy of his own. William Purves, with its five generations and reputation for premier funeral services was a natural fit. Today our values of compassion, dedication, integrity and respect are at the heart of Robert Samson and James L Wallace. The five-strong team continue supporting bereaved families in Broughty Ferry and the wider Dundee area and earning their trust.

William Purves history

 

Helping you honour their life

As the final ritual of life, a funeral is our way of saying goodbye, honouring a life lived and a life loved. Funerals play an important role in our grieving process and often we can feel a huge responsibility to get it right. Which is why we start with the view that every funeral is unique and every funeral is special. In years to come we want you to look back without regret and take comfort from the way you laid your loved one to rest. We have been guiding and supporting families through bereavement for many generations. Let our family help your family by sharing with you the wealth of understanding and experience we have gathered over the years.

Our team

As independent funeral directors we serve bereaved families in our local community.

News & Blog

Explore our blog and news section for advice, resources and the latest news affecting funerals.

News & Blog

Explore our blog and news section for advice, resources and the latest news affecting funerals.

Testimonials

"It's reassuring to have all these details ironed out and in a plan for the family to follow."

C MacCrae (81) 
C MacCrae (81)

"... our plans will ensure that the children have a clear idea of what we want and we've put a significant sum towards paying for it."

G Ferguson (75) 
G Ferguson (75)

"Your Plan of Wishes checklist has enabled the whole family to tackle a subject we'd been avoiding for a long time."

H Smith (37) 
H Smith (37)

Latest Posts

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How to choose a memorial

Memorials are the lasting tribute we can leave for generations to come. In five simple steps, we explore how to choose the perfect stone memorial. Choose a location Memorial stones or markers are typically erected in graveyards and cemeteries to indicate a grave but...

Give us your wishes. We’ll give you our promise.

In our experience, the best funerals are those where everyone looks back with peace of mind that they got it “just right”; that the tone, style and format was to the deceased’s preference.  Those we find tough to arrange are the funerals where families have no idea...

FUNERAL of HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Robert Samson is proud to be part of the dedicated team who have cared for our late Queen with dignity since her sad passing. Rehearsals for the procession from Balmoral to Edinburgh have taken place regularly over many years, with every detail considered. For Robert...