About Us

About the Barrington's Team

A family caring for families

As a family-run business we've committed to each of our families by staffing our branches with warm, diverse and genuinely compassionate people. 

Founded by Bill Barrington, David's father, this funeral service has been an integral part of Liverpool's community for many years.
Now owned and run by David and Claire Barrington, we understand that every family has a story, and every goodbye deserves to be as unique and special as the life it honours. Having always been members of the local community, while growing up and now still living in Waterloo. 

At the heart of our business is a commitment to the local families we serve. As we have grown over the years we have remained dedicated to offering compassionate, exceptional service, continually seeking new ways to improve, innovate, and raise the standards of care and support we provide. 

David Barrington

Director | NAFD President 2019-2021 | NAFD Approved Tutor

David took over from Bill Barrington, his Father. He began by improving and developing the main services needed to help families through their most difficult times. His full-circle funeral story began by helping his Dad by cleaning the hearse and limousines when he was young and working on funerals once he passed his driving test aged 17. David took the reins in 1995 aged 26 after a period working in the IT industry, mainly as Bill wanted to retire.
David achieved the NAFD Diploma of Funeral Directing in 2000 and has since qualified as an NAFD Approved Tutor and has a strong focus on lifelong learning and development for all our team.
David has served in various committees with the National Association of Funeral Directors since 2015 and became NAFD President in 2019 unusually remaining in this role for 2 years during the Covid pandemic. 

Q. What do you do outside of work
Away from work I enjoy the Cinema, cooking and spending time with the family. I also love gadgets much to the teams dismay sometimes when I get excited about something new.   

Q. What do you enjoy about working in funeral service. 
I like to hear peoples stories, about their lives and their history. I like helping people and making the funeral journey easier too. It's a privilege. Lastly I like working with my team who are so supportive of everyone we look after. It's a special place to work. 

Claire Barrington

Director | B.A.Hons, Dip FD, Dip FAA

Claire began her career in people management and strong customer service industries. With a yearning to move back into a world which involved her Art History Degree background she moved from people and food into running her own art galleries. Latterly, and now with over 15 years experience she joined David within the family business. This brought her drive and continuing eye for detail with the designs of each new Barrington's branch. Her aim was to create places of welcome, trust and calm.
For every family we look after, there is always a very high level of care and dedication, with a lean towards listening to what's not said or how we can make the journey forwards and on the day especially relevant and important. The aim is always to provide continuity with the needed support to navigate on through to the funeral. Claire is keen to ensure our standards are kept very high.

Q: Why did you choose to work within this industry?.
A: David had his business and I had my own career. We would come together at the end of the day to decompress and share our stories. When life changed direction and the children came along, the opportunity came about to work together - and so far so good, it has worked! 

Q: What do you do outside of work?
A: I enjoy anything creative, watching most sports, always eating great food and going to the Theatre as much as possible.

Julie I'Anson

Senior Funeral Director | Dip FAA, NDSF

Julie is the staff team leader for Barringtons, she brings a wealth of knowledge & life experience along with a background in teaching and the floristry world. Compassionate and creative with a keen knowledge of the industry to share
with of our families during their most difficult times. Julie is dedicated to every funeral making sure the whole family are handled with professionalism and care. 
Julie has had many years in the funeral industry.

Q: Why did you choose to work for Barringtons Funeral Services?
A: I was a florist and very proud of my achievements. I was given the opportunity by another independent funeral directors and I found I loved the job. Helping families at their time of need. I left this company to progress further in the industry.
Barringtons allowed me to cover someone's sickness and after this I was offered a full-time contract. What a breath of fresh air it was and still is. David & Claire gave me the freedom to explore, to train and gain confidence in myself and the funeral world. They kept a watchful eye making sure I was professional, ethical and fully supported as I took my next steps. Nine years later I am still here. We will always do as much or as little as the family needs us to do. 

Q: Why have you chosen to work in the funeral industry?
A: I always thought I would work in this industry, as I felt I had a lot to offer bereaved families. I have looked after lots of families' funeral flowers and life changes brought me this way a lot sooner than I expected.

Q: What do you do outside of work?
A : I love spending time with my nephews, family and friends. Listening to music and if it has a half-decent beat - that is good enough for me.

Beth Wade

Funeral Director | BSc Ph Biology Yr 1 / Triple Science

Beth has a passion for good funerals and learning - coming from Liverpool UTC with time spent learning through the hospital mortuary setting and a love of science, Beth spent the first 7 months with us as a volunteer. Nothing easily deters Beth and when Covid came along, Beth became a full time team member with Barringtons and has never looked back. Beth is currently studying for her Diploma In Funeral Administration and Arranging alongside arranging and conducting full funerals of her own. 

Beth has a passion for good funerals and learning - coming from Liverpool UTC with time spent learning through the hospital mortuary setting and a love of science, Beth spent the first 7 months with us as a volunteer. Nothing easily deters Beth and when Covid came along she became a full time team member with Barringtons and has never looked back. Beth is currently studying for her Diploma In Funeral Administration and Arranging alongside arranging and conducting full funerals of her own. 

Debbie Fraser

Funeral Director

Debbie looks after the Netherton branch of Barringtons and is a vital part of the team. Her gentle yet keen approach help families navigate the practical aspects of funeral arrangements. Debbie has an understanding of what a family need and how to make this happen. She has a wealth of background experience with teaching and supporting children with learning issues to name a few. There's not much Debbie hasn't done, but she too will fully arrange and conduct her funeral services, remaining linked as much as she can to the family along their journey. 

Q. Why have you chosen to work in the funeral industry?
A. I'd visited my nan in a chapel of rest and not had the best experience. This stayed with me for a long time and I didn't want anyone else to ever feel like this.

Q. Why did you choose to work for Barringtons?
A. I attended an open day a few years ago and really enjoyed it. At the time though I could not convince David to give me a job. I began my funeral career with one of the bigger chains, where I trained and gained my funeral qualifications. Once I heard Barringtons were opening a branch in Netherton, I applied and here I am.
I am very community spirited and like to help the local families. I love the people of Netherton and surrounding area's.

Q. What do you like to do outside work
A. I love to spend time with my family, crafting is a big part of my life and I love to de-stress on my allotment.

Angie Allen

Funeral Director

Josh Rice

Funeral Operative Lead

Over 10 years now with the company, Josh has also come through the ranks to serve our families alongside the team. Recently passing his Level 2 Funeral Operative Apprenticeship with a distinction Josh's will to make a difference hasn't gone unnoticed. Always a favourite with the families we care for, his warm and friendly approach puts people at ease. 
Josh plays football religiously with a his local league and his role as captain of the Remyca Reserves FC football team allows him to support in the directing of the squad. 

Q: Why did you choose to work for Barringtons?
A: When I was younger I helped my dad to clean the cars after school. Then when I passed my driving test David let me drive on funerals part time. For a while I worked for a car-hire firm full time in their office, I decided to see if there were any roles available here as I preferred to be out and about. It was the best decision I ever made career wise. I feel valued and supported and we have a great team to work with. 

Q: What do you enjoy about funeral service?
A: I love helping the families we look after and making sure people are presented in the best way possible. People think that working here is depressing but we hear lots of peoples stories and there is actually more laughing than you would think. It's an honour to help people with this very personal time. 

Paul McCollah

Funeral Operative

Paul has been with Barringtons for over 3 years now and began as a dedicated driver on funeral services. With a previous background in the military and latterly his own high quality painting and decorating business, Paul enjoys the details and making things right. These skills are key to becoming a strong funeral operative and the role Paul has now covers all the aspects of the funeral day from caring for the deceased, driving during the funerals and so much more.