Our History

Generations Strong,
Providing A Legacy
of Care Since 1891

Honoring loved ones with compassion and dignity across the decades.

Timeline Background

The birth of
the company

1891 – Mr Seaton Leng and wife Minnie move to Darlington from nearby Middlesbrough. Aged 29 years, Seaton Leng builds a house on Gladstone Street, establishing himself as a joiner, carpenter, and occasional undertaker.

1911 – Mr Seaton Leng, aged 49 years, moves to a larger address, “Kirklees” in West Crescent. Now working alongside his eldest son Frank, it is evident from the company records that “undertaking” has become a key area of the business.

1920 – Mr Seaton Leng is appointed Mayor of Darlington and becomes an alderman in 1927.

1891

Moving with
the times

1925 – Mr Seaton Leng moves the business from Gladstone Street to its present location on the corner of Greenbank Road and Bondgate. It is outfitted with stables for horses and carriages.

1939 – With the days of horse drawn carriages ending, the company takes receipt of a fleet of Rolls Royce cars.

1942 – Mr Seaton Leng died on 19th October 1942, and is buried in The West Cemetery, Darlington, alongside his wife Minnie. Following his death, Seaton Leng passes into the hands of the Bulmer family, who company records indicate had worked on the joinery side of the firm.

1944 – Company records indicate that the joinery side of the business remains, alongside car hire for weddings, but by now “undertaking” is becoming the business’ prime endeavour.

1920

The company
changes ownership

1952 – Having served his apprenticeship with Seaton Leng, Mr Raymond Tindale joins the firm, which is now solely operating as a funeral home. He ultimately becomes the firm’s Managing Director.

1953 – Seaton Leng & Son Ltd provide Rolls-Royce limousines to convey dignitaries through the town during the Queen’s Coronation.

1958 – Mr Peter Tindale joins the company, which is now under the managership of his father, Raymond. He begins his career assisting in coffin preparation but is soon employed as a funeral director.

1970s – Mr Peter Tindale takes over from his father as Managing Director of the company.

1952

A second
generation
takes the helm

1980 – The business goes from strength to strength, with a fleet of Ford hearses and limousines being required.

1982 – The premises is expanded to match Seaton Leng’s growing trade within the town, with cottages in Bondgate converted into new rest rooms.

1988 – Mr Peter Tindale is elected president of the Northern Area of the National Association of Funeral Directors.

1990 – Seaton Leng and Son Ltd remains a private firm that continues to serve Darlington and the surrounding areas.

1970

The company
grows with
the town

1990 – Seaton Leng’s distinctive burgundy livery is seen on film in this photo of the firm’s first fleet of Mercedes vehicles, provided by Bolton-based coachbuilders, Coleman Milne.

1995 – Seaton Leng’s earlier decision to place the business at the corner of Greenbank and Bondgate pays off dividends as the firm remains central to the town of Darlington.

1996 – Peter’s daughter, Sally, begins working in the administrative side of the business.

1998 – Having been helping his father from the age of 16, and now 21, Peter’s son James joins the business full time as a funeral director.

1990

Continued care of a Darlington institution

2005 – The company purchases Registry House in Zetland Street, Northallerton, converting it into a beautiful funeral home. Sadly, the venture was only to last a couple of years before the decision was made to ‘let it go’. The building later became the Joe Cornish Art Gallery.

2007 – James takes over from his father as Managing Director.

2019 A major refresh of the company’s premises is completed, ensuring that Seaton Leng Funeral Directors remains something to be proud of, 130 years after the business first began.

2000