MENU
ARRANGING A
FUNERAL WITH US
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Memorial Woodlands frees the family from the worries of organisation so that you can focus on creating a service that gives meaning and honours the departed.
OUR UNIQUE VENUE
We are the only funeral directors to have our own chapel, reception and burial grounds.
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It is our belief that the marking of a death is an important rite of passage for the living. Whether the loved one has chosen to be buried in our woodland cemetery or cremated at a local crematorium, our facilities provide the serene setting for a dignified and unique funeral or cremation service. Following the service guests can relax and reminisce whilst we provide refreshments and a buffet lunch in our reception rooms. There is no rush at Memorial Woodlands, our facilities including the private garden are yours, and yours alone.
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TAKING THE TIME
At Memorial Woodlands, we pride ourselves on giving you more choice before the funeral to craft a fitting occasion and more time to say private farewells on the day. These are the two elements which we believe make funerals here a more uplifting and cathartic experience for everyone.
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It is our aim to accommodate all requests made by the departed and their family. Our chapel of rest is available by arrangement for you to sit with your loved one in the days before the funeral. The same can be organised in the chapel on the day, before and after the service so that friends and family can pay their respects and say final private goodbyes. We assure you of the exclusive use of our chapel, reception rooms and gardens on the day of the funeral allowing you the time, space and privacy to mark this rite of passage with respect and dignity, whether you have chosen for the occasion a half day or a full day.
We believe that Memorial Woodlands is not just a place to say goodbye – it’s also a beautiful living memorial, where friends and family can visit and reminisce in the days, weeks and years that follow.
Accessibility
Accessibility for guests with mobility impairments: Our chapel and ground floor reception rooms are equipped to enable wheelchair access. There are disabled toilet facilities located within our reception rooms. There are dedicated disabled car parking bays within the car park immediately next to these buildings. Our grounds are accessible throughout by tracks. There are benches throughout the grounds which you are welcome to take a seat on.
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Occasionally, we are obliged to restrict vehicular access to certain parts. If you find a gateway closed and require access for mobility support, or need any other support please do not hesitate to contact our team.
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For guests with hearing or visual impairments, we welcome all dogs in the chapel, reception rooms and grounds. Where possible, let our team know in advance so we can ensure fresh water is available for them.
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In addition, for those with hearing impairments, we also have an induction loop available in the chapel, please ask a member of staff if you need any assistance.
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Should you have any other accessibility needs, please do not hesitate to contact our team on 01454 414999 and we will do whatever we are able to, to assist you.
Funeral Directors
Our funeral directors will support and guide you with the highest standards– before, during, and after the funeral.
Your funeral director will guide you through all aspects of the funeral. The same funeral director will be with you throughout. They will help you from the first meeting until the end of the funeral, giving advice and guidance to ensure that everything is in place. Whether you would like a classically elegant funeral, a garden picnic or a day filled with music, we will help you craft a unique occasion which reflects the life and personality of your loved one. Our responsibility is to ensure that everything is arranged and that the occasion runs smoothly.
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On your visit to us your funeral director will discuss all the choices and options open to you on all the different aspects of the funeral. These will include, burial plots, coffins, urns, hearses, catering, flowers and limousines. The funeral director will also show you the grounds, our Chapel of Rest as well as running through the cost breakdown. After discussions your funeral director will introduce you to the celebrant who is most suited to your needs. We always tell our families that it is important that you feel comfortable with the recommended celebrant.
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The family is now free to work with the celebrant to craft a service that has heart and meaning. This is achieved with your thoughts and input. There is no such thing as a correct way to hold a funeral, what matters is that the family help the celebrant find the words, music, pictures and stories that encapsulate a life. Our aim is that you leave feeling that you have done honour to the memory of your loved one.
Catering
We care about fine food. That’s why we only use quality, locally sourced ingredients, wherever possible. Our traditional delicacies are handmade here at Memorial Woodlands in our professional kitchen. Our hospitality manager will be happy to discuss menu options with you. Our food is freshly made, expertly prepared and beautifully presented by our talented catering staff.
Menus
Our skilled catering team will be happy to design and craft a bespoke menu to suit your tastes and dietary requirements.
Our set menus include freshly made sandwiches, homemade baked tartlets, charcuterie, cheeseboards, fresh fruit platters and more.
We pride ourselves in offering a wide selection of delicious, locally sourced produce, that is designed around each of our clients needs.
Beverages
Our team will provide you with teas, coffee and cordials. Other non-alcoholic beverages can be sourced for you, by arrangement. You are welcome to bring alcoholic beverages for your guests. Families often like to make a toast. We do not charge corkage and our team will be pleased to help make these beverages available to you and your guests on the day.
A Warm Welcome
Following the funeral service you, your family and your guests will be looked after at our reception rooms by our team, who will be on hand to provide support as required and to ensure your guests are properly cared for.
Let Us Help You
We will help you to arrange all aspects of your reception, to turn your day into an occasion. The day itself will be managed by our team so that you need not worry and are able to spend that time with your guests.
We are happy to explore new menu choices and will be pleased to discuss your particular needs. We consider working with and helping the families that come to Memorial Woodlands to be a privilege.
Our role is to help you to create a day that may be looked back on, in time, with fond memories. A day that will allow family and friends to come together in love and respect for the person you are here to remember. You should feel free of concern regarding the arrangements on the day. The team will take care of everything, permitting time and space to properly experience the occasion.
With years of experience our staff understand the complex emotions that come with planning a funeral. With our knowledge and understanding, we are able to provide a service that helps take away burden and strain. You can be as involved as you want to be. We will guide and support you and help you to make those decisions that will go into creating everything you want the day to be.
Flowers
Designed for you with the freshest flowers, hand-picked at the local markets a coffin spray of roses, vases full of lilies, carnations to adorn the buffet table or chrysanthemums interlaced as a garland for the bier, the choices are yours. We will help you design the perfect floral tribute. Our florist will discuss favourite flowers, seasonality, longevity, colours and scents until you are happy that the flowers for your event are most suitable for the occasion. We will ensure that the flowers are beautiful and in their prime. Every event is individually designed, and guests will be able to order flowers to complement your chosen floral arrangements.
The choice is yours...
Choosing flowers can be a deeply personal experience. That’s why we listen to your wishes and help you to create a completely unique floral design, full of personal touches that resonate with the life being celebrated and those celebrating it. It is a culmination of small, personal touches that families and guests remember fondly for many years.
Our onsite florist
Helen Pyle has been based at Memorial Woodlands for years. She has worked with hundreds of families during that time, helping them to select the most appropriate tributes and decorations and then crafting each with freshly sourced flowers or plants ranging from the exotic to the simplest ivy, moss and woodland plant arrangements. You may want a wreath, some sprays, or a simple coffin tribute, you may wish to consider decorating the chapel and the bier. Helen will help with all of this. Helen’s workshop sits alongside our farmhouse offices and meeting rooms, she will be delighted to meet with family members by arrangement to explore what will be “just right” for an upcoming service. Helen arranges the flowers for all of our in-house events, our annual Military Service of Remembrance and our All-Souls service for bereaved families held each year. We appreciate that families may elect to use a family friend or a florist with whom they have an existing relationship, and we are happy to work with them too.
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To discuss floral arrangements at Memorial Woodlands please call Helen directly on 07774 607034. If you are unable to attend or would like to order flowers for an occasion, please call Helen and she will be able to advise on an appropriate tribute based on the family’s choices and your budget.
Live streaming services
For some years we have been offering a live streaming service. This means that anyone unable to travel to Memorial Woodlands can be part of their loved ones’ funeral.
In 2023 we installed a new state-of-the-art web streaming and audio visual system. The industry-standard Obitus system enables friends and family from anywhere in the world to watch a funeral service online.
Our chapel had a complete audio-visual upgrade so that families have access to a wider database of music and hymns using concert-grade equipment. A new screen for visual tributes including family photos and video has been installed.
To discuss your individual needs on live streaming and audio-visual tributes speak to a member of our team.
For help & information please email:
Or call our team on 01454 414 999
Office hours: 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri
This number is also open for Emergencies 24 hours a day.