Sarah Lockton

Devon Ambassador

We at War Horse Memorial are delighted to announce that Sarah Lockton of Funeral Partners – the third largest funeral services provider in the UK – has agreed to join our growing army of volunteer ambassadors to honour the service of animals in war and support animals in need.

Despite COVID-19 restrictions Sarah, who is Funeral Director at Torbay & District Funeral Service in Torquay, has been supporting us by selling purple poppy pin badges in nine funeral homes across Devon’s English Riviera, which are worn to remember animals who have fallen victim to war.

Sarah has a natural empathy with people who need her support at the most difficult of times and her caring nature is extended to the welfare of animals. She understands the significant financial implications animal welfare charities are facing due to falling donations and the cancellation of public fundraising events. We are lucky to have her on board.

She began her career as a funeral operative and bearer and soon became a funeral arranger. She then trained as a Funeral Director and joined Torbay & District Funeral Service in 2013. Sarah and Mark Carr, also Funeral Director at Torbay & District, help each other create window displays and arrange events in support of charities like ours in Devon and beyond.

Sarah told us: “I came across the purple poppy pins a couple of years ago and quickly realised not many people are aware support is needed for thousands of animals still used in combat. Thousands of horses were loaded into trains at Paignton Station just a mile from our branch during World War One. I am a huge animal lover and helping this wonderful charity raise awareness as an ambassador is nothing short of an amazing opportunity.”

Sarah enjoys meeting people from all walks of life and ensuring every funeral meets the highest standards for families by always carrying them out with the deepest respect and dignity. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and exploring different cultures around the world.

Funeral Partners is a family of high-quality funeral businesses with over 200 funeral homes across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The network was founded in 2007 by Phillip Greenfield as he recognised the need for a well-run, high-quality group of funeral directors that would provide communities with a service that could be relied upon. Funeral Partners is now led by CEO Sam Kershaw and is the third largest funeral services provider in the UK, with more than 650 employees overseeing over 18,000 funerals annually.