A MOTHER-of-three whose dad was murdered in their family home in the middle of the night is gearing up to open her own funeral directors in his honour.

Emma Yankey was just five-years-old when her father Kevin Childerley was attacked and killed by intruders in their family home in Mansfield in 1990.

She has previously shared pictures of a striking tattoo on her back dedicated to her dad.

Now 34-years-old, Mrs Yankey has decided to open her own business in Darwen, in a brave bid to help those who may not be able to afford the increasingly high cost of a funeral in this day and age.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Mrs Yankey, who moved to East Lancashire over 15-years-ago, said everything about her business is in the memory of her father.

She said: “The name, K.C. Funeral Service, is my dad’s initials. He is the inspiration behind the business.

“When he was killed my whole world came crashing down, even at the age of five. Nothing was ever going to be the same again.

“It’s for that reason I believe that death has always been a prominent feature in my life and is something I have thought about a lot.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Emma and her father

Before deciding to branch out on her own, Mrs Yankey spent some time working in a director’s in Accrington, where she learnt everything she knows about being in the business.

Speaking about what she wishes to achieve with her venture, she said her main aim is to offer affordable funerals to help ease the burden for families coping with losing a loved one.

She said: “I’ve spoken to people who have actually told me they can’t ‘afford’ to die, as funerals are just so expensive, and I know this to be the case.

“I also know that funerals can be offered for far less than most places charge. People are going through enough already and if I can just help a little bit it will be worth it.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

She also said that funerals for those under the age of 16 will be free at K.C’s.

Mrs Yankey added that help from friends and those in the community has been invaluable to help get her ready for her opening, which will take place on Wednesday 21.

She said: “We have a great community following and one of my friends even recently did a sponsored skydive to help raise funds so that we could obtain the premises.

“The wonderful people from Maggie’s Stillborn Legacy and In Memory Of Cohen-James and Ava have also donated a cold cot for babies and memory boxes which can be given to parents who have had to go through the tragedy of losing a child.

Lancashire Telegraph:

“We will also be able to offer bereavement counselling free of charge for those who need to most.

“It is these small things and the help from the community which we hope will make a huge difference.

“Planning a funeral should not be hard or unnecessarily expensive, and we will be on hand to try and make it a bit easier.”

Emma, her friends and family are inviting everyone to visit K.C. Funeral Service on November 21 at her premises at 11 Bridge Street, Darwen.