About Us
Dearman Bartlett Independent Funeral Directors is a family-run funeral home at the heart of the Romney Marsh. Guided by Jon, Hannah, and Aaron, our combined half-century of experience is rooted in compassion, warmth, and unwavering care.
We believe every life deserves to be honoured with sincerity and respect. Free from corporate constraints, we take the time to listen, understand, and create farewells that feel personal and meaningful, guided always by the wishes of the families we serve.
At Dearman Bartlett, families can take comfort knowing their loved one will always remain in our care until the day of the funeral. Every detail, from first contact to the final farewell, is handled personally by our family, ensuring continuity, dignity, and trust throughout.
Our name reflects a heritage of service and courage. From James Dearman, awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal for Bravery, to Byron Bartlett, who served twenty-two years in the British Army Intelligence Corps, dedication to others runs deep in our families. Even our colours, grey for strength and green for renewal, honour both our family history and the Romney Marsh landscape we are proud to serve.
The reeds within our logo mirror the Marsh itself, three stems standing side by side, representing Jon, Hannah and Aaron, united in purpose, promise, and care. Beyond arranging funerals, we continue to support families in the weeks and months that follow, offering guidance, listening, and a gentle hand whenever it is needed. We are also dedicated to our local community, taking part in charity work, remembrance events, and outreach that helps bring comfort to others.
Meet the team
I’m Jon, and I’ve spent the last 32 years working in the funeral profession. My journey began in 1993 when, fresh out of school at 17, I joined a college course through a government scheme. That led to a work placement and then my very first job as an embalmer with a funeral director in Folkestone. I spent seven years there before moving to another funeral directors, where I stayed for the next 25 years.
Ever since I was 18, I’ve dreamt of opening my own independent, family-run funeral directors and every role I’ve taken on since has helped me work towards that goal.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to experience every part of the profession, from embalming, carrying as a pallbearer, driving hearses and limousines, making coffins, arranging funerals, and directing them on the day. Each role gave me a new perspective and a deeper respect for the work we do, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed learning how every piece comes together to create a meaningful farewell for a family.
I later took on a behind-the-scenes role, overseeing 12 branches and a care centre, where I was responsible for making sure every loved one was looked after with complete care, from the moment they arrived until the day of the funeral. This included coordinating the team, maintaining the highest standards, and ensuring everything was prepared with precision so families could trust that their loved ones were in safe hands.
I’ve always felt it’s a privilege to support families at such a difficult time, and that belief has shaped the way I work to this day.
Together with my wife Hannah and my brother Aaron, Dearman Bartlett is proud to be the only independent funeral directors on the Romney Marsh, giving local families more choice and a truly personal, community-focused service.
Hi, I’m Aaron and I have spent over ten years working in funeral care and anatomical pathology, and during that time I’ve learned just how important compassion, respect, and attention to detail are when supporting families through such a difficult time.
I’m proud to be a qualified member of the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology, and I’ve worked hard to achieve diplomas in this field. My background combines experience in both funeral services and hospital mortuary care, which has given me a deep understanding of the care every person deserves.
In my personal time, I enjoy family days out with my wife and our two daughters, as well as a good pizza, an IPA, and watching car building and restoration videos on YouTube.
Starting Dearman Bartlett Independent Funeral Directors alongside my brother Jon and sister-in-law Hannah is more than just a new chapter for me, it’s a personal mission. Our goal is to offer families a service that is professional, but also personal, caring and reassuring. Every family and every story is unique, and it’s a privilege to help honour a life with the respect it deserves.
I’m Hannah, and many of you will already know me from working as a Funeral Arranger and Funeral Director in the area and beyond.
For quite a few years now, I’ve had the privilege of looking after families, helping them create the right goodbye for their loved ones. Being there for families when they need me most is something that means so much to me.
Together with my husband Jon and my brother-in-law Aaron, we’ve created Dearman Bartlett Independent Funeral Directors. We have worked hard to build something that truly puts families first, and we are committed to caring for each person as if they were part of our own family.
Over the years I’ve had the honour of arranging and leading many meaningful services, including a service for a well-known figure, which was a true privilege, but my approach is always the same: every family, and their loved one, is treated with the same care, respect, attention and love.
I’ll be the one who looks after you from the very beginning, helping you plan a personal farewell, and the one who leads your loved one’s funeral on the day, taking care of every detail and making sure you feel supported throughout. I’ll always give the very best of myself to make sure families feel cared for and listened to.
Away from work, life keeps me busy as a mum, and I love playing a small part in community projects. I also enjoy getting to the gym when I can, as it’s my bit of me time and helps me recharge.