We are pleased to be able to offer families the option to Webcast funeral services from all local crematorium chapels. This facility will allow those who cannot attend a funeral to watch the service live from their own computer, tablet or other internet-connected device. Some providers also offer a ‘watch-again’ facility for a limited time after the funeral; this is particularly helpful to anyone who may not be able to watch live.

Costs

The cost of providing webcasts is set by the individual crematorium, but we will explain this in detail to you when you order so that you can make an informed decision. At the time of writing, costs are typically a one-off payment of between £50 - £100 which we will add to the crematorium fee on the funeral invoice. The fee covers the provision and maintenance of the equipment used, as well as the quality and security of the broadcast.

Please note that there are NO further fees to pay and there is NEVER a charge made to watch a webcast funeral service. 

Ordering

If you are arranging a funeral with us and would like the service to be webcast, just let us know. We will tell you the fee payable, and we will order the webcast with the crematorium’s media company. This order will almost instantly generate an email with the web-link to visit, and a user-name & password to allow those who would like to watch to login and view the service. We will send the login information email to our client who will then be able to forward details to any family and friends by email. 

Additional Digital Services

In addition to the live-streaming facility, do feel free to ask us for details of the following services (additional charges will apply, but we will always explain costs to you):

• Video recordings of the service including individual keepsake copies
• On-screen visual tributes during services. From single still-images to beautifully crafted slide-shows and videos set to music of your choice. 
• Webcasts and presentations for services in other venues such as churches.

Details are correct as of April 2024 but may be subject to change without notice.

​A high-profile news story this week has focussed on the police intervention at an independent funeral business in the north of England following report of "concern for care of the deceased". As the news reports continue, we can't begin to imagine how distressing this situation is for the many families concerned.
 
Of course, we don't know exactly what has happened at this time, but the story raises pertinent questions about how bereaved families can feel reassured when they make a decision about which funeral director to appoint, and can then be confident that the person who has died will be treated with the care and respect that we would all expect. To assist that decision-making process, we've set out a few relevant ideas that we hope will help.
 

• Crucially, is the funeral director a member of a trade association (SAIF or NAFD) who inspect member firms to ensure that they are operating to high professional standards as well as demonstrating transparency in all aspects of their dealings with families? It's worth noting that the firm at the centre of these allegations was NOT. Trade Associations will also have procedures in place to help deal with complaints in the unlikely event that they should arise.

 

• Ask the funeral director WHERE the person who has died will be looked after. Will that be at the premises you visit? Or at another location? Larger businesses and corporate groups with multiple branches will often have centralised 'hub' facilities for this purpose. Online funeral providers may well have only one location many miles from where you are. This detail is a mandatory requirement that must be detailed on all funeral directors 'Standardised Price Lists' as specified by the Competition and Markets Authority.

 

• What training, qualifications and experience can the funeral director demonstrate? Do they have written policies in place to ensure best practice in relation to procedures for identifying and caring for those who have died? Ask to see those policies, and perhaps even to see their care facilities. Good funeral directors should have no hesitation in allowing you to do so, albeit by appointment.

 
There has been a huge increase in online funeral provision, particularly since the 2020 pandemic, with several of these providers having huge marketing budgets and focussing on 'low-cost' and 'fuss-free' direct cremations. Despite this change in the market, local independent businesses continue to provide genuinely dedicated care within their local communities and they can usually provide the same, simpler options at equally affordable costs, while giving a more personalised, local service.
 
Smaller, independent businesses tend to have genuinely vested interests in providing both quality and value in their products, care and service. It's in our interests of course to build our reputations and maintain positive relationships in our local communities. We would always recommend making a trusted local business your first option.
 

Please click the file below for a summary of current restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic. You can also contact us by phone or email for any further advice about the current situation.

We love this new product created by 4 talented students from Tiverton's Petroc College. Off To The Stars is a unique & magical way of comforting a bereaved child, enabling parents to support them through grief and loss. The kits are priced at £11.99 and are available from our Gold Street office. Contact us for more information.
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​We are so pleased to be the first funeral directors in the UK to have the recently-launched ‘GriefChat’ online bereavement support service available directly from our website.
With access to real-time online chat provided by qualified, experienced bereavement counsellors, GriefChat is available free of charge from Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm.

It offers advice and support for grieving people, giving information about grief and how bereavement affects both individuals and families. The service will also be able to signpost users to other helpful bereavement care resources including online and in-print information as well as to local bereavement care services.

Emotions after a bereavement can become overwhelming, especially at this time of year with the festive season fast-approaching. That’s why we’ve chosen to offer GriefChat; to give easy, on-demand access to reputable counsellors who can provide reassurance and understanding about grief and the impact of losing someone you love.

Why use GriefChat?

• GriefChat provides an immediate and satisfactory response for users and a better customer engagement experience
• GriefChat is highly accessible from desktop and mobile devices
• GriefChat can be completely anonymous where the customer prefers this
• Online chat leaves over 85% of customers feeling satisfied, compared with 61% via email support and 48% for social media support*
• Research shows that online counselling can be just as effective as face to face therapy**
• Online chat appeals to a wide range of people and especially to those who might normally be reluctant to access traditional telephone and face to face counselling services

* ** www.professionalhelp.org.uk/grief-chat/.

In April 2017 the UK Government updated its criteria concerning the two main benefits that are available to help with paying for a funeral if you are on a low income. The two schemes are:

1. Funeral Payment
2. Bereavement Support Payment

Clicking either of the headings above will link directly to the relevant Gov.uk website pages for both payment schemes with an overview of each, an explanation of eligibility, what you might receive, and how to claim.

We will also be pleased to speak to you personally if you're worried about paying for a funeral. Do feel free to get in touch.

We are delighted that our application to become a member of the National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) has been approved.
More than just giving clients confirmation that we adhere to a professional Code of Practice, we hope this also gives reassurance that we have robust policies in place to deal with critically important areas of our work, including the way that we handle charity donations, cremated remains, jewellery, complaints, and the Health & Safety of our staff & visitors.
Updated versions of these policies will be available in the footer of our website in the next few days. We think that ALL funeral directors should offer this level of transparency with regard to policies, procedures and prices.

The latest edition of the official magazine of The Natural Death Centre, featuring analysis of the concept of Direct Funerals (see page 88), as offered via our associated website ClearFunerals.com

The Somerset Registration Service is pleased to announce that there is now an online booking service for appointments to register a death at any registration office in Somerset.

The function is simple to use and gives you all the information you need before attending the appointment. You will receive a confirmation email detailing the appointment and what documents you need to bring, along with the address of the office you are attending.

The online service is available by clicking the link below:

http://www.somerset.gov.uk/births-marriages-deaths/deaths/register-a-death/