Our enduring strength that caters for everyone

Here at Amanda-Louise Funeral Director Services, we believe its a privilege to look after your loved one, so our robust policies and procedures ensure they are safe and treated with compassion and dignity at all times, wrapped up with our values and behaviours that they are our guests in our funeral home. As an experienced lady funeral directors we know grief cam be overwhelming and arranging a funeral can be emotional so we are here to make it as simple and seamless as possible. Our bereavement training recognises that everyone experiences bereavement in different ways and at different times including adults and children, there's no right or wrong way to feel. One day you may feel completely in control and the next brings emotions that you may not understand or expert. So we offer a variety of bereavement support during the planning stages, and after the day of the funeral ensuring the positives of life continue.

Some people are undecided if they want to visit their loved one whilst they are in our care, unsure if it will be unsettling or what to expect. So below we share our views to help you make your decision if its right for you.

What To Expect When Visiting Our Rest Rooms When Spending Time With Your Loved One

Our space is within our mortuary which we adapt for you to spend private time in a peaceful surroundings. Your loved one will either be in their coffin (and can be with the lid on or not) or if the coffin hasnt been delivered as yet, we place your loved one on a special podium with satin frill and a beautiful sheer net that covers them. We place our large white lanterns on the floor around the coffin or podium, place flowers in the room and have some music playing gently. Tissues are on hand, along with chairs so you can take your time. Our lighting is lowered to create a soft glow.

We will have talked to you what to expect of your loved one, as its a natural process after someone dies that they change in some ways. Spending time together is by appointment only and usually done during office hours, although we can facilitate this outside those hours. You will need to sign a form that you wish to view/spend time with your loved one.

Being a responsible funeral directors, we will talk with you if we think "viewing" your loved one will not be the memories you want and suggest a closed coffin visit to spend time together providing you opportunity to talk to them instead. If you still want to "view" them against our opinion not to, then you will be required to sign a form confirming this.

If you wish to place anything in the coffin with your loved one, this is an ideal time to do so (we will talk to you if there is criteria what cannot be left with them, for example if its a cremation then no glass or electrical devices, a natural burial there are strict criteria so everything must be of natural fibres and of course for all funeral types there will be weight restrictions (we have been asked to place an engine part in a solid oak coffin for a traditional burial).

During this time, you are welcome to bring your own music, paint their nails, apply makeup or aftershave for example - as modern funeral directors we are here to help you do things that you would normally do for your loved one.

Amanda-Louise or Gill (our funeral directors) can be in the room with you, or after taking you in we can leave you alone.

Do I have to attend the Chapel of Rest?

No of course not. We know someone have already said their goodbyes, or prefer to recall their loved one as they were in life, so they dont need to spend time with them whilst they are in our funeral home, but for others, it is important to have more time together. Either way its absolutely fine and important you do what is right for you.

Who can visit our Chapel of Rest?

Anyone can visit the chapel of rest with prior consent from us. The deceased’s next of kin will be consulted before visits are granted. If you would like to visit someone at our chapel of rest, please get in touch for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Accessing Our Chapel of Rest Room

There is a layby outside our funeral home (one hour) or off road parking locally as well as a pay and display car park behind co-op supermarket on the high street close to Blenheim Road.

Visits are by appointment only and must be made in advance. Our funeral home does have disabled access, although our door into our designated viewing room is not, however, we can adapt our large funeral home parlour to be private so that anyone in a wheelchair can still spend time with their loved one.

Call us on 01643 800335 if you wish to spend time with your loved one, or for further assistance.

‍

We hope this guide has been supportive. By sharing our aim is to offer understanding and reassurance to those who have lost someone they cared for at a sad and difficult time.