Traditional horse-drawn
funerals available

Our Physical Care of the Body
Once the body of a deceased person has been received into our Chapel of Rest it is usual to carry out a certain amount of preparation and dressing to restore their dignity. Either at the time of the removal or at the arrangements interview the family would be asked if the person should be dressed in any particular clothing, for instance a favourite dress or suit. Alternatively we can provide a funeral gown.

If a family wants to come to visit their loved one we would discuss with them at the arrangements interview the question of whether embalming should be carried out. The problem with the word embalming is that it conjures up images of ancient Egyptians and mysterious practices. Modern embalming has no connection with any of this; it is a scientific process in many ways similar to a blood transfusion. Its purposes are to arrest any physical change between death and the funeral, to create a sanitary condition, and to restore a normal appearance. In this way a family can visit the Chapel of Rest with confidence, knowing that the last visual memory they keep of their loved one will be of help to them in coming to terms with their bereavement.

Visiting the Chapel of Rest
When someone close to us dies we find ourselves overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. In trying to come to terms with the death many people attach great importance to visiting the funeral director's Chapel of Rest to 'view the body'. Other people may not wish to do this. As in all other aspects of the funeral arrangements we would stress that it is your choice whether or not to visit the Chapel of Rest. We will be pleased, however, to discuss this subject with you so that you have the necessary information to come to the right decision.

Our Chapel of Rest is provided so that you may visit your loved one at any time, day or night. Our facilities and services in this regard are designed to enable the deceased to rest in dignity so that the last picture you keep in your memory is positive and helpful.

On visiting the Chapel of Rest the family will be invited to a private room where their loved one is laid.  Unless specifically requested by the family we do not arrange for the deceased person to be placed in the coffin at this time - instead we have found a more helpful memory is provided by being able to see them on a bed with a pillow under their head and a coverlet over them from the waist down.

At the time of making the funeral arrangements your funeral director will ask if there is any particular clothing the deceased should be dressed in - perhaps their favourite suit or dress, or a clean pair of pyjamas or nightie. Alternatively we can provide a funeral gown.

Our clients are welcome to visit our Chapel of Rest at any time, including evenings and weekends; all we need is a telephone call to arrange a suitable appointment. We do not make a charge for any of these visits.