We will advise you of the options and choices available and ensure decisions are made in accordance with your wishes and those of the person who has died.
Take a look at our comprehensive price list below – covering funeral arrangements, caring for the deceased, transportation, coffins, etc. Plus information on other fees payable.
Our range of veneered, solid wood and willow coffins and ashes caskets are sourced from Gloucestershire and Somerset helping to reduce the environmental impact of transportation as well as supporting local businesses.
A light oak veneered coffin
Traditional solid oak coffin with raised lid and panelled sides
English style mahogany casket with panelled sides, raised lid and corner pillars
A solid pine coffin with oak moulding and handles
A traditional coffin in two-tone oak with double beading, double raised lid and last supper detail
All our coffins can also be supplied with wooden furniture if desired
LifeArt coffins are made using enviroboard™ patented clean coffin technology. Their products are fully functional and perform like a traditional coffin, but because of their light weight they use up to 80% fewer trees and produce significantly less greenhouse gases than coffins made of veneered MDF or particle board. They contain a mixture of virgin, recovered and recycled fibre from suppliers accredited by sustainable forestry programs. They are made and shipped to us from Gloucester, so a very local firm.
Here are a small selection of LifeArt coffins available:
Musgrove Willows are a family run business and their team of dedicated willow workers grow, sort and prepare the willow to the final point of coffin making entirely on their farm in Somerset. They actively encourage family members to visit and tour the farm and participate in weaving their chosen coffin if they would like.
Here are a small selection of coffins available. There are many variations on colour and two shapes to choose from:
This traditional shaped coffin is woven with buff willow, the dark brown steamed willow is used for the banding and plait border on the lid edge
This oval shaped coffin is woven from steamed willow
This oval shaped coffin is woven in buff with white willow being used for the paint and the banding
This is the traditional shaped version of the buff and white willow
This traditional shaped coffin is woven in natural dyed and buff willow
Take a look at both the pictures and the video below of Clare’s father’s coffin being made. It was such a comfort to the family to be able to help in the making of his coffin.
We can also supply alternative styles of coffins. Here is a very small selection of what is available:
Dealing with cremated remains is a very important part of the funeral process. We have a range of caskets and urns to suit individual needs. Here is a small selection of what is available.
Wood Caskets
Our wooden ash caskets are finished to an exceptional standard. They may be made from Solid Oak, Mahogany or Paulowina, which is light weight, sustainable and fast growing alternative to Oak. Double ash caskets are also available.
Paper Caskets
These boxes are decorated with dried leaves which are arranged in attractive layers of colour.
For scattering
Scatter tubes are biodegradable and specifically designed to release the ashes smoothly, making it a simple and respectful process.
Willow Caskets
Our willow caskets are grown and processed in Somerset and made on site at Musgrove Willows by skilled craftsmen. Available in white, buff, steamed and brown willow, they come in oval, rectangular and square shape. They are also available in full colour or with coloured banding.
We are very proud of our fleet of Mercedes vehicles which include hearses, limousines and an estate car.
The limousines can seat seven passengers and additional cars are available if required.
On some occasions, a more discreet vehicle is requested and we are able to offer our Mercedes E-Class estate car as either a closed hearse or as a limousine capable of transporting up to 4 passengers.
There are also numerous other transport options available to you in addition to the more traditional fleet.
They include a VW Hearse complete with stretch beetle limousines, motorcycle hearse, Land Rover hearse, a vintage lorry and more.
And, of course, the very traditional horse and carriage.
We use a number of florists in the Stroud area who will advise and help you decide the most appropriate and personal arrangement for your loved one.
We can liaise with the florist on your behalf or you are most welcome to contact them yourself to talk over what you would like.
The safe, simple way to secure peace of mind, for you and your family.
Our Golden Charter Plans provide an easy way for you to organise your funeral arrangements with us, specify your wishes and take care of the costs in advance. It is a thoughtful way to plan ahead and a chance to avoid the rising cost of funerals.
What is a funeral plan?
A funeral plan is an easy way to plan ahead. You choose the funeral you want and fix the cost of the funeral director’s services included in your plan at today’s prices. A plan can save your family worry, expense, and help make things easier for your loved ones at a difficult time.
A plan that suits you
Everyone has different needs when it comes to funeral planning, so we make sure all our plans are as flexible as possible. When you get in touch, we will be happy to discuss your funeral requirements and tailor a plan to suit you. And rest assured, our plans are available to everyone, regardless of age or state of health, so you will be accepted for a plan.
As an independent funeral director, we’ll take the time to understand your wishes and tailor a plan to suit you exactly. We will gladly meet you at our premises or in your own home at a time that suits you. You can tell us about any preferences you have in mind – the type of funeral you would like to have, hymns, music or any other personal touches – and we’ll make sure your plan takes these into account.
Choose how you would like to pay
Spread the cost or make a one off payment. We offer a number of ways to pay for your plan – simply choose the one that’s right for you.
Looking after you as a plan holder
As a plan holder you will receive a personalised membership pack, which includes a summery of your plan, your plan holder certificate and a personal membership card for you to carry in your purse or wallet.
We will hold full details of your funeral plan. When the time comes, one phone call is all it takes to activate the plan and get the arrangements underway.
Online Tributes
As part of our service, we provide you with an online tribute page that displays funeral arrangement information and collects in-memory donations for your chosen charity.
Your tribute can process donations and collect Gift Aid for any UK charity, or multiple charities if you wish, plus there are related options such as lighting a virtual candle, sharing pictures and sending messages of condolence.
Press Announcements
We can give assistance in compiling and inserting a death notice to go into the local and/or national press.
Donations
Many people prefer charitable donations in lieu of flowers. Will process and acknowledge donations on your behalf at no extra cost. When we close the donation book – usually 5 weeks after the funeral – we will write to you to let you know the total amount collected and send all donations to the charity or charities involved.
Coffin Bearers
Quite often members of a family ask to bear the coffin. Our staff will give advice about this and any help necessary.
Remembrance Books
We can supply books of Remembrance or Condolence.
Catering and Venues
We can advise on caterers or on suitable venues to hold a reception following a funeral.
Service Sheets
We can design and print orders of service booklets for you. Photos can be added to make it extra special and we can receive these either by email or you can bring photos in to the office to be scanned.
Recording
We can arrange for video and audio recording of funeral services and put you in touch with someone who can assist with the writing of a eulogy or speech if it was felt that help was needed.
Music
It is becoming more and more popular for families to ask for recorded music to be played at a funeral instead of, or in addition to, more traditional hymns and organ music. Instrumental soloists may be requested, especially pipers. Our staff will be able to give advice on all aspects of music for a service or ceremony and make the necessary arrangements.
Attendants
We can arrange for someone to take the names of attendees at a service. We will then compile these and send to you in a neat folder for keeping.
