The beauty of human beings is that we are all utterly unique: our likes and dislikes, our quirks and oddities, our passions, and persuasions; each of these help to make up a life loved. A life is not some abstract concept, it is 3D, it is palpable, it has a tangible effect on those around it, and at Welham Jones, we believe in creating funerals which truly honour this.
In our thirty years as family-run local funeral directors, serving families across West Kent and Southeast London, we have mastered the art of creating bespoke funerals that are as unique as the person they are celebrating. However, we’ve also noticed that many families are not aware of all the ways they can tailor their funeral, so we have created this guide to help break down what can be customised, what can’t, and the variety of requests we’ve seen throughout the years to prove that nothing is too great or too grand when it comes to celebrating the life of someone special.
One of the most empowering aspects of planning a funeral today is the freedom to create a service that reflects your loved one in every detail. Almost every element can be tailored:
The beauty of modern funeral planning is that legal restrictions are few. However, there are still some key requirements:
A bespoke funeral is a fully personalised funeral service that goes beyond the traditional. Rather than choosing from a set list of options, you can tailor almost every detail of the day to reflect the character, values and wishes of the person who has died — or, if you are planning your own funeral, the legacy you would like to leave.
This might include custom transport, personal readings, themed floral arrangements, or symbolic rituals. We can support religious, non-religious and multi-faith funerals, and we will work closely with you to make sure the service is exactly as you want it.
We believe the smallest details can make the biggest difference. That’s why we offer a wide range of items and services to help you personalise the funeral, including:
We can help you consider what to do after a cremation, whether you choose to scatter the ashes in a garden of remembrance, keep them at home, bury them on private land, or lay them to rest at sea. We can also support you with:
Above, we have shared some pf the more common ways that families choose to customise their service, however, it is by no means comprehensive. At Welham Jones, no request is too big or too small and we’ve had the privilege of arranging some truly extraordinary services that perfectly reflected the personality of the individual:
If you have something specific in mind, our experienced team will do everything possible to make it happen.
For some families, the moment the curtains close at a funeral can be unexpectedly unsettling. Such a simple act can leave you feeling off balance—suddenly unsure where your loved one has gone, what is happening to them, and when they will be returned to you. The world behind the curtain can feel strangely distant, elusive, separate from your own. It may sound surprising, but in our 30+ years supporting families across the Southeast, we know these thoughts are more common than you might think. That is why we want to help—by dispelling the myths, sharing the facts, and offering some gentle reassurance about what really happens beyond the curtain.
Through 30+ years of working local funeral directors across West Kent and Southeast London, we’ve seen society get progressively better at speaking to loved ones about funerals, meaning that a lot of the mystery and myth surrounding our trade has – thankfully – started to clear. However, one question that we are still often asked is ‘what does a funeral arranger do?’ We sat down with Tunbridge Wells’ funeral arranger Sam O’flynn to find out the responsibilities, trials and triumphs that come with being a funeral arranger.
The funeral cortege – the journey that carries the deceased and mourners to the site of the funeral ceremony – has long been seen as a purely functional aspect of the service; a way from get from A to B. However, at Welham Jones, we believe that there are a whole host of opportunities that hide between these two little letters, and that the cortege it is an often-overlooked opportunity for loved ones to reminisce one last time. So, what are the popular sights that bring back memories for Tonbridge locals? and how can you customise your cortege?
We're here to help
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