As a local, family-run funeral directors with over 30 years’ experience, we are often asked if family members are able to visit their loved ones prior to the funeral and where they are kept. And as a father-daughter-led company, we fully empathise with these concerns. Here is how you can visit your family member when you plan a funeral through Welham Jones.
When a person passes away, one of the most immediate concerns for the family is knowing that their loved one is in a safe, restful, and dignified environment. At Welham Jones, we take this responsibility very seriously. If the coroner is not involved, we will arrange for the deceased to be brought into our care at our mortuary.
We have seven branches serving the community, so if viewing is required we will arrange for this to happen at your local Welham Jones branch. Our facilities are designed to provide a calm and clinical yet respectful setting. Whether you require a funeral director in Sevenoaks, Borough Green, Swanley, or Tunbridge Wells, they will be looked after by our dedicated team in a professional environment.
While most families choose for their loved one to remain with us until the day of the service, we offer flexibility to suit your traditions. If required, we can take the deceased to their home or your home the night before the funeral. Alternatively, we can organise a ‘Reception of the Body’ service, where they are taken to the church to rest overnight before the funeral service takes place, if the Church agrees.
Yes, you can. We understand that for many, visiting a “Chapel of Rest” is a vital part of the grieving process, providing an opportunity to say a final, private goodbye. We can arrange private Chapel visits for family and friends at any of our branches, including Orpington and Chelsfield, Chislehurst and Bromley, and Tonbridge.
These visits are handled with the utmost sensitivity. We provide a quiet, peaceful space where you can spend time with your loved one without feeling rushed. If you prefer, as mentioned above, we can also arrange for the deceased to be taken home, allowing for a more personal vigil within the family residence. Our goal is to support your emotional needs while ensuring the funeral arrangements are carried out exactly as you wish.
It is an absolute honour to care for a person who has died, and we treat every individual with the dignity and respect they deserve. Our aim is to provide the same level of service to your loved one as you would wish to receive yourself.
Our highly skilled and experienced staff will prepare the deceased according to your specific requirements. This process is highly personal and can include:
We operate with meticulous attention to detail; providing us with a recent photograph can be incredibly helpful in ensuring your loved one looks their best. We encourage your ideas and suggestions to ensure we reflect them as they chose to be in life.
With over three decades of experience serving West Kent and South East London, Welham Jones has built a reputation for excellence and empathy. Being an independent, family-run firm means we aren’t beholden to corporate shareholders; our only priority is the families we serve.
Whether you are an elderly resident considering pre-paid funeral plans to ease the burden on your children, or a family member who has suddenly been tasked with funeral arranging, our local knowledge is invaluable. From working closely with local vicars, priests, and funeral celebrants to coordinating with care homes and home care companies, we ensure every logistical detail is handled with care. This deep integration into the local community is why so many families trust us to look after their loved ones in their final days before being laid to rest.
At Welham Jones, we provide a caring and dignified environment for the deceased while offering constant emotional support and guidance for the bereaved.
As a family-run funeral director operating across the southeast, we know that when you are facing the difficult task of planning a funeral, having a reputable, local funeral director helps to make that task just a little bit easier. We are honoured to have been shortlisted as finalists at the Tonbridge Business Awards 2026. For us, it is always a pleasure to see our hard work formally recognised, but for you and your family in Tonbridge, this award represents the peace of mind needed to know you are in safe hands.
When a loved one passes away, it is your legal duty to notify the government and register the death. However, in such a trying time, the government’s ‘Tell Us Once’ service allows families peace of mind and removes additional administrative stress.
Cremations have often been seen as the more affordable option for funerals. However, with the current costs of both living and dying increasing, families are looking for more affordable ways to say goodbye to their loved ones.
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We’re here to help with care and compassion. If we can be of assistance please contact us for support or guidance using the following form.
