Levertons Since 1789

History of Levertons

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.

Immediate Assistance

In the case of someone dying at home, or if you need to contact us for immediate assistance out of our office hours, please do call us. We can arrange collection at any time of day or night:

Very considerate, thorough and personal. They took such care, that we felt like we were there only client and yet they are a busy and popular funeral directors. Every detail was sensitively handled and made easy. Whole heartedly reccomend Leverton & Sons. Lorna what a kind, patient and knowledgeable super star.

Review by P P left on 15 Apr 2025

Google

I was extremely pleased with the advice, help and services received from Leverton & Sons at Kentish Town Road. Lorna Walkden, Funeral Director was very kind and made everything very clear and straightforward. The staff on the day of the funeral were very respectful and everything went according to plan. I would thoroughly recommend Leverton's.

Review by Linda R left on 08 Apr 2025

TRUSTist

Absolutely wonderful experience with a difficult and sensitive matter. Very professional and accommodating. Would definitely recommend.

Review by Nic N left on 07 Apr 2025

Google

Deborah and the team at Leverton Muswell Hill were perfect at helping us through the difficult time of arranging our mother’s funeral. Kind, professional, thoughtful, empathetic and efficient – everything we needed. I can’t recommend them too highly.

Review by A. B left on 03 Apr 2025

Google

Deborah and the team at Leverton Muswell Hill were perfect at helping us through the difficult time of arranging our mother’s funeral. Kind, professional, thoughtful, empathetic and efficient – everything we needed. I can’t recommend them too highly.

Review by Family o left on 03 Apr 2025

TRUSTist

As with my father's funeral in 2018, the arrangements were absolutely perfect. A huge thank you to Drew and company.

Review by Neil M left on 31 Mar 2025

Google

Efficient and sensitive service, over and above that which I was expecting.

Review by JANE O left on 20 Mar 2025

TRUSTist

Review by Mark Y left on 20 Mar 2025

Google

Katheryn was very sympathetic, and advise me through all the stages, the day of the funeral went smoothly I was very happy with Leverton’s service

Review by Brigid H left on 20 Mar 2025

TRUSTist

I felt very well supported by Levertons and Craig in particular, as I went through the process of arranging my mother's funeral. Everything was considered from arrangements with the church and the vicar to the order of service and the flowers. Levertons could not have been more efficient or kinder.

Review by Harriet S left on 19 Mar 2025

TRUSTist

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