David Crymble
Funeral Director
Our family story
A family caring for families.
Since 2004, David Crymble & Sons has been privileged to support families throughout Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and beyond. We understand that every funeral is personal — because every family has its own story.
A personal welcome
A personal welcome from Andrew
Rather than simply reading about us, Andrew Crymble would like to introduce himself personally — to put a face to the family you would be trusting with someone you love.
Read the welcome (transcript)
Hello, I’m Andrew Crymble, Funeral Director at David Crymble & Sons.
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to visit our website.
If you’ve found yourself here because someone you love has died, or because you’re planning ahead for the future, I’d like to offer you a very warm welcome.
I know this may be one of the most difficult times in your life, and it can be hard to know what to do next. My hope is that this website provides not only the information you need, but also the reassurance that you don’t have to face this journey alone.
David Crymble & Sons was founded by my father, David, in 2004 with one simple aim: to care for every family with kindness, dignity and a truly personal approach. Those values remain at the heart of everything we do today.
As a family business, we understand that every life is unique, and every funeral should reflect the individual being remembered. There is no such thing as a standard funeral, because every family has their own wishes, traditions, beliefs and cherished memories.
Whether you need our help today, are planning your own funeral for the future, arranging a memorial, or simply looking for trusted guidance, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Over the years, it has been our privilege to care for families not only across Belfast, but throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and around the world through our International Repatriation Service.
We’ve designed this website to be much more than a funeral director’s website. You’ll find practical guides, funeral planning tools, information about local churches, cemeteries and crematoria, along with helpful resources and downloadable guides that answer many of the questions families ask us every day.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, or if you simply need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Whether by telephone, WhatsApp, email or by visiting one of our funeral homes, we’re always here to help.
On behalf of my father David, our family and our entire team, thank you for considering David Crymble & Sons.
It is a privilege to care for every family who places their trust in us, and we promise to treat your loved one with the same dignity, respect and compassion that we would want for our own family.
Thank you for visiting our website. Whenever you need us, our family is here to help yours.
Our story
Not a company history — a family’s story
How it all began
David Crymble established the independent business in 2004, after more than twenty years in the profession with established Belfast funeral homes. It began with a simple conviction: that families deserved a genuinely personal service, given the time and care it truly needs.
Why we chose funeral directing
For our family, caring for someone who has died, and for the family who loved them, is a privilege rather than a job. His son Andrew joined the family firm at eighteen, and together we have built a practice around presence, patience and personal attention.
What matters to us
Our family has lived on the Cregagh Road for many years, and we remain closely involved in Willowfield Parish Church and the local community. Those roots matter. They are why we treat every family as neighbours, and every funeral as if it were our own.
What families can expect
From your first call, day or night, you will deal with people — not a call centre. We listen first. We explain everything plainly, with no pressure and no jargon. We are always glad to make arrangements in the comfort of a family home, and there is never any extra charge for a home visit.
How we continue to serve today
Today we care for families from two funeral homes in Belfast — on the Woodstock Road and at Finaghy — and as memorial masons we continue to look after remembrance long after the funeral. We arrange funerals across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain, and bring loved ones home through international repatriation.
Our vision for the future
We continue to invest in ways to make a difficult time a little easier — clear guidance, a comprehensive Knowledge Centre, and thoughtful digital services — while never, ever losing the personal touch that is the whole point of a family firm.
What we stand for
Our values
Compassion
Every family deserves kindness, dignity and time.
Family
When you contact us, you are dealing with people who genuinely care.
Trust
We believe trust is earned through honesty, transparency and reliability.
Guidance
We make difficult moments a little easier with clear advice and practical support.
Community
We are proud to serve our local communities across Northern Ireland and beyond.
Innovation
We invest in technology that makes planning easier — without ever losing the personal touch.
Our story
Every family has a story.
Serving families since 2004
Ours began in 2004 with one simple aim — to care for families with kindness, dignity and a genuinely personal approach. Although our business has grown over the years, our values have never changed.
2004
A family vision begins
David Crymble founded David Crymble & Sons Funeral Directors from 799 Lisburn Road, Belfast. Having previously worked with James Brown & Sons Funeral Directors in Belfast, David wanted to establish an independent family business where every family would receive personal attention, genuine compassion and the time they deserved.
From the very beginning, success was never measured by the number of funerals we carried out, but by the trust families placed in us during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
The early years
Supporting families wherever they needed us
In those early years David cared for families throughout Greater Belfast from the Lisburn Road office, while also meeting many families from his home on the Cregagh Road.
Those early years established the values that continue to define David Crymble & Sons today:
- Kindness
- Compassion
- Professionalism
- Personal service
The Woodstock Road
Creating a funeral home for the community
As more families placed their trust in David Crymble & Sons, David purchased the property on Woodstock Road and transformed it into a purpose-built funeral home, complete with its own funeral church.
Rather than simply creating another office, the vision was to create a welcoming place where families could gather, remember loved ones and receive support in peaceful surroundings. Today the Woodstock Road Funeral Home continues to serve families throughout East Belfast and beyond.
2014
Andrew joins the family business
In 2014, Andrew Crymble joined the business full-time. Growing up within the family business, Andrew shared David’s passion for providing compassionate funeral care while embracing modern technology to improve the way families access information and support.
Together they continue to combine traditional family values with innovative ideas, ensuring personal care always remains at the heart of everything they do.
2019
A new home in Finaghy
As the business continued to grow, the original Lisburn Road office relocated to a modern funeral home in Finaghy.
Having served the Finaghy community for many years, the new premises provided a welcoming environment from which to continue supporting families across South Belfast and the surrounding areas.
2019
Growing our family
In the same year, Reverend Stephen Hanna joined David Crymble & Sons. Stephen quickly became a valued member of our team, bringing compassion, professionalism and a calm, caring presence that has helped countless families through difficult times.
2020
Two families working together
One year later, Selwyn Earle joined the business. With many years of experience and a shared commitment to caring for families, Selwyn strengthened our ability to provide personal support whenever it was needed.
2023
A new generation continues
In 2023, Selwyn’s son, Paul Earle, joined the team. Today, David Crymble & Sons proudly has two families working side by side, united by the same commitment to compassion, dignity and personal service.
Today
Supporting families across Northern Ireland and beyond
Today David Crymble & Sons proudly serves families throughout Belfast, every county in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and internationally through our repatriation services.
Alongside funeral directing and memorial masonry, we continue to invest in technology that genuinely benefits families:
- Funeral Knowledge Centre
- Interactive Maps
- Church Directory
- Cemetery Directory
- Crematorium Directory
- Online Payments
- Memorial Resources
- Planning Ahead
- Legacy Hub coming soon
- Virtual Viewing Room coming soon
Our vision is to combine traditional family values with thoughtful innovation — while never losing the personal care that has defined David Crymble & Sons since 2004.
Behind every funeral
The people who quietly hold it all together
Although our name is David Crymble & Sons, no family business succeeds without the people who support it behind the scenes.
Joy — David’s wife and Andrew’s mum — has always been a constant source of encouragement, support and care throughout the journey of the business. Andrew’s wife, Nicola, also plays an important role in supporting the family business whenever needed.
Strong family businesses are built not only by those who answer the telephone or arrange funerals, but also by those who quietly support them every day.
Thank you
To the families who make this possible
Funeral directing is unlike many professions. It does not finish at five o’clock. Families may need us during the night, early in the morning, at weekends or during family celebrations. Plans often change at very short notice because someone, somewhere, needs our help.
For that reason we would like to express our sincere thanks to the wives, partners, children and families of Stephen, Selwyn and Paul — thank you for your understanding when telephone calls interrupt evenings, when family plans change unexpectedly, and when your loved ones leave at short notice to care for another family.
Your support allows David Crymble & Sons to continue providing a genuine 24-hour service to the communities we proudly serve. Although our business carries the name David Crymble & Sons, the truth is that it is supported by many families.
Looking to the future
The same family. The same values.
Although our business will keep evolving, one thing never will — our commitment to treating every family with compassion, dignity and respect. We will continue to combine traditional family values with thoughtful innovation, ensuring David Crymble & Sons remains a trusted source of support for families for generations to come.
Meet the team
Meet the people behind David Crymble & Sons
Behind every funeral, every conversation and every family we support is a dedicated team committed to providing compassionate care, professional guidance and personal service. Tap anyone to read their full profile.
Joy Crymble
Funeral Director
Andrew Crymble
Funeral Director
Selwyn Earle
Funeral Director
Paul Earle
Funeral Director
Rev. Stephen Hanna
Funeral Director
Why families choose us
A family firm, with everything a family needs
- Independent family businessOwned and run by the Crymble family.
- Available 24 hoursA real person answers, any hour of any day.
- Two Belfast funeral homesOn the Woodstock Road and at Finaghy.
- Serving all of Northern IrelandAnd across Ireland and Great Britain.
- International repatriationBringing loved ones home from anywhere.
- Memorial specialistsMemorial masons caring for remembrance.
- Planning ahead guidanceCalm preparation that spares your family worry.
- Funeral Knowledge CentreClear, free guidance written to help.
- Digital services for familiesThoughtful tools designed around you.
- Personal support, real peopleThe same family, from first call to last detail.
Our community
Rooted in the communities we serve
Local churches
We work alongside ministers and congregations across Belfast and beyond.
Hospices & hospitals
Supporting families through end-of-life care and bereavement offices.
Bereavement support
Signposting grief support and walking with families afterwards.
Community partnerships
Proud to play our part in the life of our local community.
Education & guidance
Clear, honest information through our Knowledge Centre.
Always nearby
Neighbours first — here for the families around us.
Why we do what we do
We believe every person deserves to be remembered with dignity. Every family deserves compassionate guidance. And no one should ever feel alone when arranging a funeral.
That belief shapes every conversation, every service and every decision we make.