They wouldn’t want any fuss! It’s a phrase we hear from so many families who come to us, unsure where to begin when planning a funeral.
It was also what we asked for when planning White Rose founder, Nick’s mum’s funeral. We wanted a simple, heartfelt farewell with just five of us attending — but what we were offered were rigid options that didn’t fit who his mum was or suit us at all. That frustration sparked the beginning of White Rose Modern Funerals.
A modern funeral is about choice. A funeral can be a private, quiet farewell, a sense of ceremony and occasion, or even unattended. At such a tender time, you shouldn’t feel confined to a package and expense that doesn’t reflect a life lived — or your family’s wishes.
Direct cremations (the ‘no funeral’ – where no-one attends), often advertised on TV, are becoming more common and can be a useful option (we organise many). But what we also hear from families is that it’s not their preference to choose no funeral — they just don’t want the traditions or costs of a conventional funeral that hasn’t moved with the times either. You have far more options than either a traditional style funeral or an unattended direct cremation.
Modern funeral choices we have created
- A cremation service does not have to be held at a crematorium. Beautiful bespoke funerals at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park where the service & reception are held together in one place.
- When your needs are simple, we can organise a private farewell where just a handful of people attend. Family can lead the service themselves, allowing immediate family to say farewell in their own way, especially when a direct cremation may just feel too remote
- A hearse does not have to be used for transport. We offer smart low-key transport where the coffin is carried without being visible and can be discreetly pre-placed – a softer, informal approach for families
- When your needs are for a sense of ceremony but with little fuss, we can keep things low key and just focused on the ceremony.
- When your needs are for a sense of occasion, carefully planned traditions and personal touches can capture the essence of who has died.
- Or, a funeral can be unattended – direct cremation. Families often choose this when they wish for the ceremony to be separate from the actual cremation.
The choices we have created mean you have more options that are cost-saving too. We see personal heartfelt farewells, whether just a handful of people quietly attending or a ‘coming together’ of people for a memorable celebration of life.
We are here to help you whether you are faced with arranging a funeral now, or wish to plan ahead. You can visit us in-person at our homely, riverside shop in Twickenham – we serve fabulous coffee! Or we organise many funerals remotely too.
There is no right or wrong. At your time of need, we are here to help you.
