Traditional Funeral Services

Our Services

We are here to try and make everything required as simple and easy for you as possible. We have a meeting room at our premises where we can arrange the funeral or we will happily come to your home to make the initial arrangements.

Obituary notices

Some families wish to place an announcement in a local or national newspaper. We will guide you through an appropriate wording to ensure that you get it just right and then ensure that it is placed in the paper in good time.

Acknowledgement notices

An acknowledgement notice is usually placed within a week of the funeral. This notice is a way of recognising the support of well-wishers and expressing thanks for flowers and cards, as well as thanking the minister. We will assist you in this notice.

Stationery

Commemorative stationery creates a lasting memorial to your loved one and can be arranged inexpensively – please ask us for details. Orders of service guide mourners through the events of the funeral; they can become a touching keepsake that evokes fond memories of the deceased whilst also serving a practical purpose. The order of service can feature information not directly related to the service itself, such a message from the family to attendees, or perhaps information about a reception afterwards. A photograph of your loved one can also be featured.

“Thank you” cards for attendees allow you to acknowledge the presence of friends and relatives at the funeral. At this emotional time it may be difficult to speak to everyone personally, so a card goes some way towards expressing your sentiments.

“In memoriam” books let attendee’s record precious memories of the deceased or simply sign in a gesture of love and support; in this way they represent a profound way to mark the occasion. Reading the memories and experiences that attendees shared with your loved one can help you come to terms with your loss.

The provision of a coffin

We will always make a recommendation regarding this aspect of the funeral arrangements, and we will discuss this with you in order to help you make a suitable choice. Should you or the deceased have specific thoughts or requests, we will be happy to honour these. Personalised coffins, such as those featuring specialised decorations or designs, can be arranged to give your loved one a truly unique final tribute.

Chapel of rest

Our private chapel of rest is a peaceful, non-denominational space allowing you to spend time in the presence of your loved one in the days leading up to the funeral. Personal photographs and other memorabilia may be placed within the chapel with your relative as a mark of respect, and also to help you feel more comfortable in the chapel. Our chapel of rest is yours to use as you wish until the day of the funeral.

Jewellery and personal items

Placing a small personal item with the deceased is a touching and personal act of love and respect, and represents a thoughtful final gesture. You can choose anything appropriate – it might be a piece of jewellery, letter, card, picture or favourite book. The material value of the item is less important than the sentiment behind it: this is a deeply meaningful act, and we would be glad to help you honour your loved one in this way.

Horse drawn funerals

A traditional horse drawn funeral carriage is an imposing and impressive way to pay your respects to a loved one. Plumed horses, feathers and Victorian livery make a deep impression on all attendees as well as showing reverence for the departed. The drapes and feathers can be decorated in a variety of colours and styles as a personal tribute, while the horses are highly trained and accompanied by skilled handlers so as to ensure a most dignified service for your loved one.

Religious services

A religious funeral service allows you to pay tribute to your loved one in a manner befitting their religious beliefs. If the deceased was a regular churchgoer, we can arrange for the funeral service to take place in their particular church or for their own minister to take the funeral; alternatively, we can ensure that an appropriate member of the clergy is involved. We will do everything we can to arrange a funeral that shows the utmost respect for the beliefs of the deceased.

Non-religious eulogy-based services

A funeral service centred on a eulogy is a deeply moving way to pay your final respects to a loved one. This type of service allows opportunity for reflection on the life of the deceased, as well as the experiences that made them so special to you. A eulogy-based service offers mourners a very individual outlet for their grief, and can be an important step in the process of letting go. We can offer advice on the best way to structure a eulogy-based funeral service – please ask for more information if you are considering this option.

Humanist services

Humanist services represent a way to say goodbye to a loved one without feeling tied to religious convention. A Humanist service focuses on the values that characterised the deceased, and is perfect for non-believers. A great deal of flexibility is available when structuring this kind of funeral and we will help you to arrange a service that is an accurate reflection of your loved one’s life.

Flags

A national, military or political flag shows respect to the beliefs of the deceased and adds individuality to the funeral service. Please ask us and we will be glad to help with this request. The presence of standard bearers, or a bugler to sound the Last Post, can be a very emotional aspect of the funeral, but one which shows the utmost respect to the life of your loved one.

Music

Most families believe that the funeral service should reflect the character of the deceased, and music is an ideal way to achieve this. As a powerful reminder of a person’s tastes, character and interests, a personal piece of music can be both poignant and uplifting, awakening memories in all attendees. We have a large selection of music and so can ensure t hat practically any music required can be provided

Flowers

Floral tributes are an important part of many funerals and can play a very personal role as a tribute to the deceased.
On the day of the funeral, flowers may be sent directly to our premises, where they will be handled with the greatest care. Afterwards, at your request, we can take suitable flowers to a local hospital, hospice, nursing or residential home, or place them on a family grave. We are glad to work with your own florist or, if you would prefer, we can order flowers on your behalf. In this case the cost of the flowers will be added to the funeral account.

Charitable donations

You may prefer that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charitable organisation of your choice – perhaps one that meant something to the deceased. We will collect all the donations for you before forwarding them, and can also provide you with a full list if you so wish.
Cash donations are held in our designated charitable donations account before being forwarded on to the organisation specified. In accordance with our policies, and to ensure your peace of mind, this account is completely transparent.

Bearers

The role of pallbearer is a solemn responsibility at any funeral. Wherever possible, we prefer for the coffin to be carried into the funeral service, and to this end we provide uniformed bearers on the day of the funeral. However, we recognise that this can be a very important duty that family members may prefer to assume instead, so we actively encourage relatives to act as bearers.

Arranging a reception

After the funeral, a wake or reception provides a good opportunity for mourners to share memories of the deceased in less formal surroundings. Remembering your loved one in a relaxed environment can play an important part in the healing process. Should you wish to hold a reception, we can arrange a venue and catering on your behalf. If you would prefer to host the reception in your own home, we can arrange an in-house caterer.

Ashes

The scattering of ashes symbolises a final release and can be a turning point in the process of letting go. There are restrictions on where ashes may be scattered, but we will endeavour to honour all requests. Alternatively, the interment of ashes provides mourners with a focus for their grief and a specific spot to return to as they remember the deceased. We would be happy to discuss the many different options available.
There are many ways to create a unique and personal funeral for your loved one. If you have any specific requests in addition to the services outlined here, please do not hesitate to ask and we will be only too glad to help.