Before Stuart left school, his ambition and passion was to become a Funeral Director.
On leaving school, he obtained an apprenticeship with John Smurthwaite and Son Funeral Directors in Neville Street, Durham, under the personal supervision of John Smurthwaite Senior, Stuart became the funeral director he is today. After the business was sold in 1988 to a conglomerate, John Smurthwaite Senior sadly passed away in 1992. Stuart Wright Funeral Service Ltd was formed in the same year.