We're introducing a new obituaries section to commemorate some of Stockport's recently deceased residents.

We hope it's a small record of some of the wonderful residents of Stockport, who've infused the town with their character, memories and love over the years.

Death notices and obituaries are a key part of quality local news, so we're pleased to be introducing this new feature.

You can find our new obituaries section here.

And in presenting the obituaries section, we're partnered with Heaton Moor-based funeral directors, George Ball & Son.

For more than 150 years, across six generations, this family-run business been helping local residents commemorate their lost loved ones. 

And it's for good reason that they've been around so long; since 1870, they've adapted to alternative types of funerals without losing sight of their most important aim; to be "compassionate and understanding". 

Having been established by George Ball senior in the zenith of the Victorian era, the independent business is now run by his great-granddaughter Margaret Arnison (nee Ball), her son Daniel and his wife Rachel and assisted by their sons, Noah and Jacob.

They help families address their grief and live with it, living by the aphorism of Chinese philosopher Confucius:

"We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression."