Grief hits everyone differently. Some people can’t face driving. Others shouldn’t be behind the wheel when they’re upset.
That’s where we come in. Been doing this for over 25 years now, helping families get where they need to go during the worst times of their lives.
At Welham Jones, we don’t just drive people around. We get it. We know what families are going through.
Here’s the thing about funerals, they’re complicated enough without worrying about transport.
Last week alone, we had three families with the same problem. Elderly mum can’t drive anymore. Dad’s too shaken up to get behind the wheel. Relatives coming from all over Kent who don’t know the area.
Sound familiar? It happens more than you’d think.
Our limousines seat eight people comfortably. That’s usually enough for immediate family, sometimes a few close friends too. Air conditioning works properly. Suspension’s smooth, important when you’ve got elderly passengers who feel every bump.
The drivers? They’ve been doing this for years. They know when to chat, when to stay quiet. They understand that being five minutes early matters, gives families time to compose themselves before walking into the service.
Most importantly, and this sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how many companies get this wrong, they actually know where they’re going. No sat nav fumbling when you’re already running late for your own father’s funeral.
We’ve been serving families around here since 1998. That’s a quarter of a century of learning every back road, every traffic pattern, every shortcut.
The A21 backs up near Pembury Hospital [1] most mornings. The roads around Tunbridge Wells station get extremely busy during rush hour. Parking at Trinity Theatre [2] [3] fills up fast because of the school nearby.
Small stuff? Maybe. But it’s the small stuff that matters when everything else is falling apart.
Not every family wants a big limousine. Sometimes you need something smaller, more private.
Maybe it’s just you and your partner. Perhaps mum specifically said she wanted things “kept simple.” Could be you’re doing the main transport yourself but need something dignified for elderly relatives.
That’s what our black car service is for.
Four seats. Jaguar saloon, nothing flashy, just clean and comfortable. Same professional drivers, same local knowledge, just in a smaller package.
Works particularly well for those intimate services where it’s just close family. You still get the professionalism and reliability, but without feeling like you’re making a big show of things.
Funerals aren’t always just about the service.
There’s the wake. The celebration of life. Family gatherings that happen afterwards. Sometimes these are at completely different venues, crematorium in one place, reception somewhere else entirely.
Getting everyone from A to B sounds simple until you’re actually trying to coordinate it. Especially when you’ve got three generations of family, half of whom don’t know the area and the other half who are too upset to drive safely.
Our limousines handle this kind of thing regularly. Pick everyone up from the crematorium, drive to the hotel or pub or wherever you’re having the gathering. Keeps the family together, gives people time to decompress between the formal service and the more relaxed part of the day.
We also do:
Sometimes families want to do things their own way but still need a proper hearse.
Happens for all sorts of reasons. Maybe you’ve got a classic car you want to use for the family. Could be you’re keeping costs down by handling some arrangements yourselves. Sometimes it’s just about having control over how things happen.
Fair enough. Funerals should reflect what the family wants, not what we think they should want.
Our hearses are modern, well-maintained. We can collect from our chapel of rest, from hospitals, nursing homes, wherever needed. The vehicles themselves are dignified, black, clean, treated with proper respect.
Works well when families have strong ideas about how they want things done. You get the professional hearse you need, but you keep control of everything else.
Being local isn’t just a marketing thing for us. It actually makes a difference.
We know that the turning into Kent & Sussex Crematorium [4] [5] can be tricky for elderly passengers getting out of cars. There’s a better entrance if you’re coming from the Hawkhurst direction.
We know which pubs around Tunbridge Wells can actually handle a sudden influx of 30 people for a wake (fewer than you’d think). We know which car parks near the churches have space for disabled access.
Most importantly, we know the staff at the local crematoriums and churches. When things go wrong – and occasionally they do, we can sort problems out with a quick phone call rather than formal procedures and waiting around.
We’re based in Tunbridge Wells but we cover a fair bit of ground:
Royal Tunbridge Wells itself, obviously. Southborough, Langton Green, Speldhurst. Rusthall, High Brooms, Pembury, Capel. Further out to Paddock Wood, Matfield, Brenchley.
Down towards Hawkhurst and Sandhurst. Over to Lamberhurst and Kilndown.
We also do parts of South East London, Sydenham, Forest Hill, Dulwich. Anywhere within about an hour’s drive, really.
If you’re not sure whether we cover your area, just ask. Worst case, we can usually recommend someone local who does.
Don’t overthink this. Ring us on 01892 300330. Speak to a human being who actually answers the phone (novel concept, we know).
We’ll ask a few basic questions:
Then we’ll tell you what we can do and how much it costs. No hidden fees, no surprises on the day.
Simple answer: we’ve been doing this for 25 years and we’re still here.
That’s longer than a lot of the big chains have been operating in this area. Long enough to have helped thousands of families. Long enough to know what works and what doesn’t.
We’re available 24/7, 365 days a year. Not because we’re machines, but because death doesn’t stick to office hours and neither do we.
Our vehicles are properly maintained. Our drivers actually care about doing a good job. And we charge fair prices without trying to catch people out with hidden extras.
Most importantly, we understand that this isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about giving families one less thing to worry about during the worst time of their lives.
[1] Pembury Hospital, Tonbridge Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4QJ, https://maps.app.goo.gl/s3nVTthn4oEctQGy9
[2] Trinity Theatre, Church Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1JP, https://maps.app.goo.gl/CrnHiGYnPsWJMqKr5
[3] Holy Trinity Church, https://trinitytheatre.net/
[4] Kent & Sussex Crematorium, Benhall Mill Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN2 5JJ, https://maps.app.goo.gl/qddYsJx2RCgYTRZq6
[5] Kent & Sussex Crematorium, https://kentandsussexcrematorium.com/
How many people fit in your limousines?
Eight people comfortably. Could squeeze in more but that’s not fair on anyone, especially elderly passengers.
Do you go outside Tunbridge Wells?
Yes, we cover most of West Kent and parts of South East London. If you’re not sure, ask.
Can we book at short notice?
Usually, yes. We keep vehicles available for exactly this reason. Obviously can’t guarantee it during busy periods, but we’ll do our best.
What if we're running late?
Happens more often than you’d think. Our drivers know the area well enough to make up time safely, and we stay in touch with venues so they know what’s happening.
Do your drivers know the local crematoriums?
Yes. They’ve been doing this for years. They know the staff, they know the procedures, they know which entrance to use.
Can we just hire a hearse?
Yes, that’s fine. Some families prefer to arrange their own transport but still want a professional hearse. We get it.
What about celebration of life events?
Same service, same professionalism. Doesn’t matter if it’s a traditional funeral or a celebration of life, transport needs are the same.
How much does it cost?
Depends on what you need, where you’re going, how long you need the vehicles. Ring us and we’ll give you a proper price, not some vague estimate.
Address:
39 Crescent Rd
Royal Tunbridge Wells
TN1 2LZ
How to find us: Map
Phone: 01892 300330
Email: tunbridgewells@welhamjones.co.uk
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday and Sunday: appointment only
For community deaths outside those hours, we also provide a 24/7 response, 365 days of the year.
