As the festive season approaches, you may be wondering how your local funeral director will be available should you need support. At what can already be an emotional time of year, knowing when you can reach a trusted team offers invaluable reassurance.
Christmas has a way of rearranging the rhythm of daily life, yet the need for care and continuity never fully pauses. At Welham Jones, we publish our Christmas and New Year opening hours each year to help families across West Kent and South East London feel prepared, supported and informed.
Our 2025 seasonal hours are shown in the image above and summarised below: 
While our branches in Borough Green, Orpington and Chelsfield, Chislehurst and Bromley, Sevenoaks, Swanley, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells follow the above hours, our telephone lines remain open around the clock. Whatever the date on the calendar, someone from our team will always be here to guide you.
When a death occurs at Christmas or New Year, the mixture of emotion and practicality can feel especially overwhelming. Yet the steps you need to take remain the same, and help is always available.
If someone dies at home, contact their GP or call 999 immediately so a doctor can verify the death. If the person dies in a hospital or care home, the staff will guide you on the next steps. You can then contact a funeral director immediately, even during bank holidays, and our funeral arranging service will begin as soon as you need it.
If you want to understand the next steps, including registering a death, arranging funeral packages or choosing from our range of coffins and caskets, our team can talk everything through gently and clearly.
For over 30 years, families across West Kent and South East London have relied on us for guidance, compassion and local knowledge. Whether you need immediate assistance or wish to discuss funeral planning, our on-call team is available 24/7 throughout Christmas and New Year.
As an independent, family-run funeral director, we understand the value of continuity and trust. You can reach any of our local branches, and we will respond promptly. If you’re thinking about planning ahead, our pre-paid funeral plans offer clarity, reassurance and protection from rising costs.
You can also learn more about our team, who provide the personal care that families value so much.
Whatever the season, Welham Jones is here to guide you with steady, compassionate support.
The work of a funeral director is always busy and varied. 2025 has been no exception. We’ve had awards success, taken on new staff and run charity appeals – as well as having to find strategic solutions to the increased costs that have faced all businesses this year. All this alongside continuing to provide empathetic, honest and professional support to families across Kent and South London who have sadly lost a loved one.
Earlier today, we were told that we are the winners of the Community and Sustainability Award in the Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine Awards. Not only this, but we were also shortlisted for the Employer of the Year award. We are absolutely over the moon with the news and couldn’t wait to share it with you, alongside a bit of background as to how we got to this point.
Registering a death is one of the first legal steps that must be taken after someone passes away — but it can be difficult to know when, how, and where to do it. As experienced funeral directors serving West Kent and Southeast London, Welham Jones Funeral Directors are here to help guide you through what can feel like an overwhelming process at a very emotional time.
We're here to help
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