Former Burgess Hill funeral director 'sadly missed' after sudden death

Matthew Gallagher died at King’s College Hospital on Sunday, December 29. The cause of death is still being determined.

More than 600 people attended a funeral and celebration of his life at Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield on Saturday, January 18.

Matthew was born on March 12, 1973, in Richmond upon Thames and moved with parents Pat and Sandy Gallagher to Cuckfield where he attended Holy Trinity Primary and Junior school before moving on to Warden Park School and Varndean Sixth Form College, Brighton.

He graduated from the University of Leeds with a BA Honours degree and gained a postgraduate certificate in education, teaching in London before moving to Australia.

He joined the family business in 2007 and became a director joining his parents and other board members at P&S Gallagher Funeral Directors with offices in Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill, Bowley Funeral Service in Hassocks and Bowley and Gallagher Funeral Directors, Preston Park, Brighton.

Colleagues say he was instrumental in developing and expanding the business.

Alongside his role he became a valued member and part of the governing body in the Independent Funeral Directors College, joining in 2007 and training as an Assessor and Verifier.

He was an executive member of pre-paid funeral planning arm of the profession, SAIFCharter, sitting on the executive and chairing a committee.

He was also a qualified member of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management, being the cemetery registrar for both Cuckfield and Walstead ceremonies.

Matthew is sadly missed by parents, family, friends, colleagues and a worldwide group of fellow professionals.