Established in 1866, John Short & Son is a proud sixth-generation family business with deep roots in the local community. Previously owned and operated by John and Mary Short alongside their daughter Catherine, the family legacy continues today with Catherine still actively working within the funeral home.

The origins of the business trace back to John Short’s great-grandfather, affectionately known as “Jack.” The building that now serves as the funeral home originally operated as a working butchery. Jack married Miss Morgan, whose family owned an established funeral directing business known as W F Morgan. Together they had a son named Maurice, and over time Jack invested into the Morgan business. During the 1930s the company name was changed to John Short & Son. Many people have mistakenly believed the business was named after the current John Short, but in fact it was his great-grandfather who established the company after taking over from Mr Morgan.

Over the years, the business expanded far beyond funeral directing. The company provided taxi hire services, transporting local residents on holidays to Wales and taking patients to hospitals across the region, including the Sister Dora Hospital in Walsall. John Short & Son were among the first businesses in the area to be connected to a telephone, proudly operating under the number “Brownhills 4.”

Behind the funeral home were fields owned by the Short family, home to a team of black Belgian horses used to conduct funerals throughout the local area prior to the Second World War. Sadly, no original photographs of the horses, carriages, or the building from that era remain within the family collection. As motorised vehicles became more common, the horses and funeral equipment were sold, and it is believed the animals later perished during the bombing of Coventry in World War II.

Jack himself was a skilled and hardworking engineer within the local community. Demonstrating both craftsmanship and innovation, he converted a Daimler limousine into a hearse using original glass taken from a horse-drawn hearse. He also constructed an ambulance for the local miners’ welfare association, reflecting the family’s longstanding commitment to serving the community.

In 1946, Maurice Short took over the funeral business from his father Jack. That same year, Maurice married a lady from Cheltenham whom he had met while stationed at Fradley during the war years. Their son, John Short, was born in December 1946.

Maurice remained actively involved in horse events throughout his life until his passing in 1980 at the age of just 58. Following his death, John Short assumed ownership of the family business. Having worked alongside his father from a young age, the funeral profession was deeply embedded in his upbringing. Together, John and Mary Short worked tirelessly to preserve the values of a traditional independent family funeral business, earning immense respect both within the local community and throughout the funeral profession.

Throughout generations, the Short family developed a distinctive reputation built upon compassion, dedication, and strong community ties. They became widely recognised for their contributions to local history and genealogy, including active involvement with the Burntwood Family History Group and contributions to the National Burial Index.

Although John and Mary Short no longer own the business, the current team remains committed to preserving the company’s local connections and traditions. For Kay, serving as Funeral Director, maintaining a respectful and traditional approach remains of utmost importance.

Today, the funeral home carefully preserves ledgers dating back to 1938, including records spanning the years of World War II through to modern times. These historic documents are treated as valuable pieces of local heritage and are being placed into protective display cabinets to prevent deterioration. They will remain available for clients, families, and visitors to explore, ensuring that the remarkable history of John Short & Son continues to be remembered for generations to come.