Inspiration

Let us inspire you.

There are now so many unique and special ways to celebrate the life of a loved one. If you haven’t yet decided what sort of service you would like, take a look at these ideas and speak to us at Andrew Grey Funeral Directors to talk them through, or anything else you might want to discuss, and we’ll see if we can make it happen for you. Let us support, guide and inspire you to create a funeral you never thought was possible.

Alternative and unusual venues

Funerals should always be a celebration of life so consider holding a celebratory event at a hotel or farmyard barn, woodland retreat, a football stadium, club, on a boat, race track, even in the pub. There are now many uplifting venues available for celebratory services, we’d be delighted to talk through all the options with you and help find a suitable venue.

Twilight services

A personalised picture coffin

Truly reflect the character of the person whose funeral you’re arranging with a personalised picture coffin. You can choose your own photos or a theme that we have, anything from sports and hobbies to particular flowers or animals. 

A Pathway Coffin which is a natural wood, biodegradable coffin allows for a truly unique, collaborative send-off where a number of people can design their own section, or each panel marking a different part of the life lost. You can then choose a frame colour and have the panels printed in spectacular printed padded fabric giving your coffin a comforting tactile finish. You can even choose lid options – blackboard for chalk inscriptions, whiteboard for permanent marker inscriptions or a lid covered in a full picture.

A different time

Funeral memorial services don’t just have to take place in ‘office hours’ or on the same day as a cremation or burial. If it suits you and your guests better, or will allow you access to certain venues which may be occupied during the day, have you thought about early evenings, night time ‘twilight’ and weekend memorial services?

An evening memorial service can be as informal or formal as you wish, by using candles and fairy lights you can create a soft warm ambience at your chosen venue and you could also enjoy outdoor spaces in the summer months with fireworks, outside lighting, fire burners and lanterns.

Twilight services

A unique way to scatter ashes

Along with a selection of caskets and decorative urns specifically designed for keeping at home, we have pieces especially for the garden along with urns made from environmentally friendly materials including paper, sand and salt for water burials. You can also now incorporate your loved one’s ashes into a whole array of wonderful events and items. These include fireworks, launching into near-space, jewellery, diamond rings and cuddlestones as part of our keepsake options. These come in a variety of styles and designs and each can hold a small amount of your loved one’s ashes and are ideal for sharing and displaying.

 

Hearse alternatives

Think about the type of vehicle that you would like to accompany or to take your loved one on their final journey through your home town, to the service or committal, you can have something in addition or instead of a traditional hearse.  We can help organise alternative vehicles including things like a tractor, camper van, motorcycle hearse, canal boat, vintage lorry and horse-drawn hearse amongst others. So if would like a beautiful horse-drawn hearse, a Harley or something a bit different which reflects a passion, a hobby or something about the life of your loved one then do let us know and we will do our best to find a suitable vehicle.

 

Releases

A beautiful way to say goodbye and symbolise the freeing of the spirit of their loved one, ascending to the heavens is through the release of doves, bio-degradable balloons or a firework display.
Everyone can get involved with this lovely demonstration of your final farewells.

 

For those who can’t be there

Absent friends and family can now watch the service live on the internet via live streaming. This means that those who aren’t able to attend in person can still pay their respects. There are many crematoriums that offer this service. The service could be videoed to be kept and shared as a recording or you could show a video of scrolling stories along with photos, music or record messages, from a projector. We can help find providers for these types of services.

You can also create a video memorial using Video of Everyone. Family and friends can contribute a brief video message to create a beautiful keepsake or eulogy to play at the funeral.

 

Informal Funerals

You might feel that a less traditional religious or non-religious service would better reflect your loved one’s wishes. Rather than limousines for a cortege or family transportation we could hire an SUV, people carrier, a coach or minibus and rather than the formal top hats and tails, the Funeral Director and pall bearers could wear a more casual attire such as blue herringbone suits, a different colour tie or a type of suit or costume that may fit your theme or guests style. You might also like to encourage guests to wear bright colours or a particular theme to make the whole occasion feel less formal and more celebratory. We can discuss any thoughts you may have and help create a unique funeral for your loved one.

 

Informal Funerals

Themed Funerals

Why not pick a theme for your funeral that best reflects your loved one. Themes include football, superheros, the army, fairy tales, motorcycles, country, golf, the circus etc with all elements being personalised. The Funeral Director and bearers can even dress up to be a part of the theme for you.

Themed Funerals

Coffin Sprays

Flower arrangements for the coffin can take various forms to reflect the personality of your loved one. If you would like something in the shape of a football, a club logo, a name or made from fruit, vegetables, silk or dry arrangements let us know and we can help arrange this for you.

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Floral Tributes

Flowers can add a bright and warm touch and reflect the love felt by those attending.

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Our pricing

Funeral prices vary depending on the type of ceremony you would like for your loved one. There are many options to choose from to make it unique and special.

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Planning ahead?

It is now really easy to plan ahead, making a huge difference by easing the burden on your family when the time comes, so they can focus on the arrangements.

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Need advice?

Andrew Grey Funeral Directors can assist you in every step of the funeral so please don’t hesitate to ask us about any aspects or queries you may have.

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Featured Reviews

Google

Very professional company, I would highly recommend, every aspect of the funeral was managed with dignity and respect.

P w

Google

Having previously used Andrew Grey Funeral Directors, they were my first and only choice when I required their services again. From my initial contact through until the funeral day, they dealt with all aspects in a compassionate and professional manner, making what is already a…

Geoff Maddison

Google

Everything was handled with great attention to detail,nothing was too much trouble they went above and beyond to help.the funeral service was conducted beautifully and exactly as we hoped, highly recommended thankyou.

Yvonne Reed

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I cannot recommend Andrew and his team highly enough. Andrew recently cared for my dad, and prior to that my mam and husband a few years ago. Very professional but also very gentle and caring. From the first phonecall to the office, right through to…

Deborah Jones

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Andrew what can I say but outstanding service. You guided me through everything , step by step. Making the whole experience peacefully and very special to us all. Thankyou once again for making something so traumatic so homely and special, knowing all my father's wishes…

Janice

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After the worst day in our lives we all knew the place where we'd have our loved one taken care of a place where we knew they'd be looked after to the highest standard. Every single person we have conversed with from this company has…

Chantelle Sheers

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Couldn't recommend highly enough.

Andy Turnbull

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This was the first time we ever had experience in organising a funeral, from the first call to Gillian in the office everything went smoothly. Ben came to my Dads house, listened to what we wanted for our lovely Mam, made a few suggestions and…

Lesley Nichols

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Andrew, Gillian and the team organised our mams funeral recently, their service was so personal and caring Andrew advised us and guided us the whole way nothing was a bother to him , he carried out every wish we asked, his professionalism was amazing he…

Beverlyg.bb@gmail.com Shopping

Google

The service we received from Andrew grey was second to none. We dealt with Ben at first and he was soo lovely, listened to what we had to say and planned everything perfectly, unfortunately he couldn’t do the service so Andrew did it and he…

Emma Smith

Thinking about a Funeral Plan?

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Choice Funeral plans enable you to arrange and pay for your Funeral Director Services in advance, which could provide peace of mind to you and your family.

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