A Birmingham funeral parlour has been acquired by Wolverhampton-based Laurel Funerals has part of its continued expansion plans.
WH Scott & Son, along with Kent-based Earl & Co, have been bought in an undisclosed deal which boosts Laurel's footprint to 74 branches nationwide.
The Black Country undertaker said the deal would provide a stepping stone for further expansion throughout the remainder of 2014.
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It said these latest acquisitions were part of the company's longer-term strategy of buying established and reputable funeral businesses in areas adjacent to other brands already part of the Laurel family.
Founded in 1860, W.H. Scott & Son is run by the fifth generation of the Scott family and operates from two bases in Bartley Green and Edgbaston, with third due to open in Quinton in July.
The current family members and wider funeral team will remain in place as part of the acquisition.
The Laurel group also includes Jennings in Wolverhampton and William H Painter in Birmingham.
Chief executive Deborah Kemp said: "We were attracted to both businesses, not only because they enjoy a strong and trusted reputation built upon more than 100 years of heritage but the funeral teams in place also demonstrate the progressive approach to the funeral sector that we look for.
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"As is our approach with all the brands in our collective, we will look to retain the personality and individuality of each brand while ensuring both businesses benefit from working under the Laurel umbrella.
"With a strong pipeline of funeral businesses expressing an interest in joining the collective, these acquisitions are the first of a number of selective purchases that we intend to make in 2014.
"Not only will this activity bolster our foothold in key locations and further cement our position in the sector, it will continue to highlight to the industry both the robustness of our offering and our credibility as an acquirer of funeral businesses."
Two years ago, a consortium led by Duke Street with Babson Capital Europe and Metric Capital Partners acquired Laurel Funerals from its previous backer Sovereign.