When you suffer a bereavement it comes as a great shock. Even when the death was expected, nothing prepares you for the emotional turmoil that comes with the loss of someone close.

For some people the numerous matters that must be attended to will help counter the grief; others will be grateful if someone else can deal with the necessary tasks; either way the right guidance and support can make all the difference. It is a rare privilege to be a funeral director, to come amongst your family at this difficult time. We ask you to place your trust in us and we shall not let you down.

Firstly, the practicalities must be attended to - death registration, consideration of burial or cremation, where the service will take place and who the Minister will be, obituary notices and floral tributes to be arranged.

And then you may wish to consider more personal aspects. A funeral service is the time for family and friends to reflect upon the character and individuality of the deceased - did he or she like a particular style of music, was there a favourite poem, a shared experience that even now will bring a smile - if so, we can encompass all these things into the service.

A funeral should be a statement of all the things you ever thought about your loved one, tailored to your particular needs and requirements. It is not our policy to impose urgency or apply undue pressure on your family. These personal considerations require time and thought. We would ask you to sit in the privacy of your own home and, using the specialist information we will have provided, reflect on how best you can commemorate the personality and character of the deceased and recall your own particular place in their affections.

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