Being a funeral director is a unique calling. It’s a profession that blends compassion, organisational skills, and a deep sense of service. As a funeral director, every day brings new challenges and opportunities to support families during some of their most difficult moments.

Here’s a glimpse into a typical day and the meaningful work we do.

Early Morning: Planning and Preparation

The day often begins early. Funeral directors start by reviewing the schedule and ensuring all arrangements for the day are in place. This includes confirming service details, coordinating with cemeteries or crematoriums, and checking in with florists to make sure the floral arrangements are perfect. Attention to detail is crucial, as every element of the service needs to be meticulously planned and executed.

Mid-Morning: Meeting with Families

One of the most significant aspects of our work is meeting with families. These meetings are deeply personal and require a sensitive approach. We sit down with family members to discuss their loved one’s life, their wishes for the service, and any specific requests they might have. Listening is key – understanding their needs allows us to create a service that truly honours their loved one’s memory.

Late Morning: Coordinating the Service

Once the plans are set, it’s time to coordinate the logistics of the funeral service. This can include:

• Scheduling and arranging transportation: Ensuring that the hearse and family cars are ready and on time.
• Venue setup: Coordinating with the venue to ensure seating arrangements, audio-visual equipment, and other necessary elements are in place.
• Communicating with clergy or celebrants: Making sure that any religious or spiritual leaders involved in the service are aware of their roles and timings.

Afternoon: Conducting the Service

Conducting the funeral service is the heart of our work. This is where everything comes together to create a meaningful farewell. During the service, we manage the proceedings, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and according to plan.

This includes:

• Greeting attendees: Making sure everyone feels welcomed and supported.
• Directing the service: Managing the flow of events, from readings and eulogies to music and moments of silence.
• Supporting the family: Offering a comforting presence and addressing any last-minute needs or concerns.

Late Afternoon: Committal or Memorial

After the funeral service, the next step is often the committal at a cemetery or the completion of a memorial ceremony. This can be an especially emotional part of the day, as it provides a final moment of farewell for the family. Our role here is to facilitate the process with dignity and respect, ensuring everything goes according to the family’s wishes.

Evening: Follow-Up and Reflection

The day doesn’t end with the service. There’s often follow-up work to be done, such as processing necessary paperwork, sending thank-you notes, and checking in with the family to see how they are coping. These follow-up actions are essential for providing ongoing support and ensuring the family feels cared for even after the service is over.

The Emotional Side of the Job

Being a funeral director is not just about logistics; it’s about empathy and emotional resilience. Every day, we encounter grief and loss, and it’s our job to offer solace and support. It can be emotionally taxing, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to know that we’re helping people during such a pivotal time in their lives.

The Community Connection

Funeral directors often become integral parts of their communities. We get to know the families we serve, build lasting relationships, and sometimes participate in community events. This connection enriches our work and reinforces the importance of the service we provide.

Final Thoughts

Being a funeral director is much more than a job – it’s a vocation that demands compassion, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to serving others. Every day is different, but the core mission remains the same: to honour the deceased and support the living. It’s a privilege to be entrusted with this responsibility, and we approach it with the utmost respect and dedication.

If you or someone you know is navigating the loss of a loved one, remember that we’re here to help. Our doors are always open, and we’re committed to providing the care and support you need during this difficult time.

Just as no two people are the same, no two funerals are alike.

Here at Arthur W. Bryant Funeral Service, we will work with you to make your loved one’s funeral as unique as they were.

Whether it be a favourite landmark to pass with the cortege, a specialist mode of transport, (for example a horse drawn or motorbike sidecar hearse) or a special piece of music or poetry, we will help you to tailor make the service. Below are some of the ways we can make the service unique to you and your loved ones.

Choosing a burial or cremation

The decision as to whether to commit your loved one via burial or cremation is a very personal one and may be influenced by factors such as family tradition, culture and religious beliefs. Your loved one may have made their wishes clear prior to their passing.

Read more about the choices between burial or cremation here.

Choosing a coffin or casket

Coffins come in various styles and materials and can be adapted to suit the type of committal that you have chosen for your loved one.

Read more about the choices between coffins and caskets.

Flowers & Floral Tributes

Flowers at a funeral are a simple and beautiful way to create a personal tribute and our ranges of tributes include bouquets, wreaths and sprays, through to coffin displays and specialist designs.

Read more about our floral tribuets here.

Listing of Mourners

It is becoming increasingly common for families to request the listing of names at the funeral. This is where a member of staff from The Arthur W. Bryant Funeral Service or a representative from the local community would wait outside the venue of the funeral and ask people to give their names. The family would then be provided with a typed list of those attending as a record of the service. This can also be used to create an obituary report for the local newspaper.

Hearse and Family Vehicles

There are many transport options and we will discuss these options with you when arranging the funeral. Our funeral directors can make all of the necessary travel arrangements for you. Read more about those here.

No request is too big or small to make your loved one’s send off special.

For more information please contact one of the team who will be happy to go over any of your questions or requirements.

We were delighted to sponsor Bude & North Cornwall Golf Club’s St Piran’s Day Competition on Saturday 4th March. Despite the conditions being cold the competition was well attended, and players were in great spirits. Participants thoroughly enjoyed a hot pasty from us after 5 holes.

After some strong contenders the 2023 St Piran’s trophy was won by Adrian Parsons, Steve Tilbury, Ron Burgess and Brett Higham, with a team score of 90 points. We send well deserved congratulations to the winning team.

During the day it was lovely for us to see so many friendly and familiar faces and we really enjoyed catching up with you all. William’s son, Henry, also made his first debut, much to the delight of everyone there.

We’d like to thank Bude & North Cornwall Gold Club for giving us the opportunity to be part of this event again this year and we hope to continue for many more.

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Supporting the local community

As a local, family-run company, we understand that it’s important to serve and support the community in any way we can. This not only helps our company build positive relationships, but it also allows us to give back to the community that is the backbone of everything we do. As a local business, we believe strongly in our duty to be actively involved in the community and to support causes and events that align with our values and mission.

Research carried out by OnePoll asked 1,000 people aged 50 and above whether the Royal Funeral made them consider their own arrangements.

The survey commissioned by pre-paid funeral plan provider, Ecclesiastical Planning Services, revealed that almost a quarter (23%) did indeed consider their own mortality and in particular their final wishes following the live broadcast of the State Funeral. This was highest across the younger age ranges, up to age 65. 67% of respondents revealed that the Queen’s funeral did not make them consider their own funeral arrangements and a further 10% weren’t sure. 

Queen Elizabeth’s funeral included many personal touches such as the presence of her beloved dogs and fell pony, Emma. The military theme reflected her lifetime of service and dedication and the lone piper at the service was also very poignant.

The service also included multiple locations and a procession, as well as a floral wreath with significant meaning including a sprig of myrtle, a flower used in the late Queen’s wedding bouquet and a handwritten note from King Charles. Members of the Royal Family were also part of the funeral and preceding period of national mourning.

It is not then surprising that for some people, the Royal Funeral made them consider their own funeral wishes and how they might want to be remembered. Anyone that has arranged a funeral will understand the number of decisions that need to be made. Even the choice of date and time can be complicated, especially when travel arrangements are factored in. Other major decisions include whether to opt for a cremation or burial and whether to have flowers and/or charitable donations.

Emma Simpson, Marketing Manager at Ecclesiastical Planning Services, said “As a pre-paid funeral plan provider, we encourage people to consider planning ahead, which can be as simple as discussing funeral wishes with others. This can significantly reduce worry and anxiety for those left behind when the time comes.”

As an Appointed Representative of Ecclesiastical Planning Services Limited, we are happy to offer you a free, no obligation appointment to discuss how a funeral plan could benefit you. Contact the team to book yours.