Interview with Victoria Wells – Founder of Farewells Funerals at Leeds East Airport
Victoria Wells - Founder of Farewells Funerals with a base at Leeds East Airport and Church Fenton
At The Hangar, we’re proud to champion the diverse and inspiring businesses based at Leeds East Airport and Church Fenton. From aviation innovators to community changemakers, this series shines a light on the people who make this place so special.
To launch the series, we sat down with Victoria Wells, Founder of Farewells Funerals, whose thoughtful, modern approach is quietly transforming how we say goodbye.
With warmth, grace, and a determination to do things differently, Victoria Wells founded Farewells Funerals in 2018 to offer a more personal, compassionate approach to one of life’s most difficult moments. Based at Leeds East Airport and Church Fenton, she brings a calm, grounded presence to every family she supports.
Her mission? To provide beautifully tailored, affordable funerals - without compromise. From small, thoughtful touches to unwavering emotional support, Victoria is redefining what it means to say goodbye with dignity.
Here, she talks to The Hangar about Farewells, the moments that stay with her, and the importance of getting things right – every single time.
You founded Farewells in 2018 with a clear purpose. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind starting the business, and what kind of gap you felt needed to be filled?
Let’s be real - there are funeral directors on almost every street corner! But how many of them are female, qualified, offer bespoke end-of-life planning, come to your home for a chat, offer you a blank canvas and not a funeral package?
Many funeral directors are generation-owned and operate with very little room for change or adaptation. This industry is evolving, and I saw a gap for a more informal and modern approach to end-of-life planning.
You speak about doing funerals ‘properly, without compromise’. What does that mean to you in practice – and what kind of experience do you want families to have when working with you?
I want families to have a positive experience when working with me. From that first call right through until after the funeral, families will only ever liaise with me. I will never pass them over to different colleagues.
Continuation is a very comforting element in the funeral planning process and one that I am very strict on. Families have my direct number and can contact me 24/7.
You clearly put an extraordinary level of care into every detail. Is there a small detail, something people might not even notice, that you think makes a huge difference in how a funeral feels?
To me, every detail matters. It’s the little touches that make the biggest difference. It could be the favourite music of the deceased quietly playing in the chapel of rest, lavender bunches tied into an order of service, or a loaf of bread placed on top of the coffin for a baker… the list goes on.
We are all unique - which makes every funeral so different and special.
What do you think people misunderstand most about planning a funeral – and what would you like them to know?
That you can jot down your funeral wishes ahead of time to help with the planning process. I offer a booklet for exactly this.
By noting down your wishes, you’re helping your loved ones enormously by relieving them of some of the stress that comes with decision-making. Planning a funeral can actually be quite a cathartic and positive experience for some families.
Farewells is known for creating bespoke, beautiful and deeply personal services. Are there any examples that have really stayed with you over the years?
I’ve conducted some beautiful and unique funerals over the years, but a more recent one that really stayed with me was a police funeral held at York Minster. It was deeply personal and also entwined within a large part of the community. That was a real honour.
This kind of work demands a huge amount of emotional energy. What grounds you - and what keeps you inspired to keep showing up with such compassion?
I’m very lucky to have a supportive family and an amazing group of friends around me. When I’m not helping families, I’m running around after my children or dogs!
Being in this industry does put a lot of things into perspective – you really do learn to appreciate the simple pleasures in life on a daily basis.
You’re based here at Leeds East Airport in North Yorkshire and serve communities across the region. What does that sense of local connection mean to you?
There’s this perception of funeral directors being old, grey and somewhat scary-looking! That couldn’t be further from the truth.
I enjoy being part of the local community and hope people aren’t afraid to have a chat or ask any questions they might have about funerals. These conversations are so important.
I think in this day and age, if you can meet your funeral director before you actually need them, that’s a real advantage. My door is always open for anyone who is curious or wants to understand more about end-of-life planning.
If you weren’t doing this, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Honestly, this is all I’ve ever wanted to do. Every day I go to work, I feel proud and privileged to be able to do what I do. It’s not for everyone - but it certainly is for me.
Finally, what does a ‘good farewell’ look like to you? And how do you hope people feel when they walk away from one of your services?
I always think a good farewell includes tears, much laughter, and many stories and memories shared amongst friends and family – ideally over a glass of fizz to celebrate a life well lived. That’s what I hope for.
To get in touch with Victoria or to find out more visit her website here.
