About Us

We are a fully independent family run funeral directors, that pride ourselves on offering a dignified, caring and personal funeral service to the people of Oldham, Manchester and surrounding areas.

Both Wild & Brierley Ltd and T. Collins & Son Ltd are affiliated to the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD). Whilst Harold P. Heywood & Co Ltd is affiliated to the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF). These associations are in place to protect both our clients and us.

Our history is very extensive, Wild & Brierley was founded back in 1890 by a Mr. John Wild at the address of 133, Featherstall Road North. It was then continued on by Mr Robert Wild who then went into partnership with Mr. Samuel Brierley, hence our current name Wild & Brierley.

In 1932 Samuel Brierley sadly passed away and in 1933 Robert Wild sadly followed. Up stepped another John Wild who carried on the family tradition along with his brothers Edward and Robert. In July 1939 John’s son Mr Robert Wild Jr started work aged 22 years. After many years of service Mr. Robert Wild then opted to leave the companies to his grandson Mr Robert Wild Jr.
We are led to believe that T. Collins & Son was founded in 1885 on St John Street, Lees by Mr Edward Collins who on his passing left the family business to his son Mr Tom Collins.

Unfortunately, we cannot find much history on Harold P Heywood & Co Ltd, however we do have one invoice dating back to 1903 which would make the company well over 100 years establish in the Failsworth area. Under Mr Wild’s care the companies went from strength to strength and he realised that he couldn’t handle the pressures alone. He soon found himself two business partners, two true characters and gentlemen, Mr Arthur Prince and Mr Geoffrey Hoyle. The decision was made that Arthur took over Harold P. Heywood & Co Ltd and what a fine job he did. The people of Failsworth still to this day still ask about Arthur. Mr Hoyle managed both Wild & Brierley and T. Collins and Son, he also had a very good standing with many people. The team of Mr. Wild, Mr. Prince and Mr Hoyle stood the test of time and lasted many years.

In 1992 Darren Clark joined the companies as a funeral director. Fast forward 5 years and 1997 soon became the busiest and most stressful year to date as we moved all three companies into new premises; Wild & Brierley to Edward Street, Werneth, T. Collins & Son made the short distance move to the top of St John Street, Lees and Harold P. Heywood to Oldham Road, Failsworth, where they all reside to this day.

Darren then took charge of the companies to allow Mr Wild to retire fully and before long it was agreed that Darren would buy the companies to make sure it would remain a family business.

With Darren at the helm the companies have grown even more, all whilst being one of the youngest NAFD Presidents, the youngest ever County Commissioner for St John Ambulance and now by royal appointment Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for Greater Manchester.

In 2008 his son Michael decided to come on board to ensure the family tradition continued. Again, this turned into a wise business decision as before long Michael took the reign of Harold P. Heywood and became arguably the youngest ever Funeral Director in the Oldham and Manchester area.

Michael is now in his 19th year of service and is widely regarded as one of the best funeral directors in the country and has quickly established Harold P Heywood as the highest rated funeral service in the borough.

Whilst having two young daughters himself, who we hope will step into the family business and continue our legacy well into the future.