When you lose someone special, you need a funeral director Tunbridge Wells families trust to handle every detail with care and respect.
Since 2015, Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials has been the family-run funeral director Tunbridge Wells residents turn to during their most difficult times. We understand that saying goodbye to someone you love is never easy, which is why we’re here to guide you through every step with warmth, understanding, and genuine care.
Our experienced team serves families throughout Royal Tunbridge Wells, Southborough, Pembury, and the wider West Kent and South East London areas, providing personalised funeral services that truly honour your loved one’s memory.
Losing someone close to you can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with making important decisions about their farewell. As your local funeral director in Tunbridge Wells, we believe every family deserves to understand their choices without pressure or confusion.
The funeral industry has changed significantly in recent years. Today, 55% of families choose cremation services, whilst 25% prefer traditional burials [1]. More families are also choosing celebration of life services (51% in 2024, up from 31% in 2017) that focus on cherishing memories rather than formal mourning [2]. Our role is to help you find the right approach for your family’s needs and budget.
We know that funeral costs are a real concern for many families. The average funeral in the South East costs £4,943, making it important to understand all your options [3]. Whether you’re looking for a simple direct cremation starting from £1,508 (price as of September 2025) or a full traditional service, we’ll explain everything clearly so you can make informed decisions.
Our location near Kent and Sussex Crematorium on Benhall Mill Road means we can coordinate seamlessly with local facilities whilst serving families from the historic Pantiles area to modern Pembury, from the Georgian elegance of Mount Ephraim to the village charm of Langton Green.
Every funeral should tell the story of a life well-lived. Our funeral arrangements service begins with listening to you and your family, understanding who your loved one was and how you’d like to remember them.
We handle everything from collecting your loved one to coordinating with local churches like King Charles the Martyr or St. Barnabas on Quarry Road. Our service includes preparing all paperwork (death registration must happen within 5 days), coordinating with celebrants, organizing flowers, and managing every detail so you can focus on supporting each other.
Many families appreciate personalizing their arrangements, incorporating favourite music, displaying photographs, or arranging special readings. We’ll help you create a service that feels right for your family.
Direct cremation (also referred to as pure or purely cremation) has become increasingly popular, chosen by 20% of UK families in 2024 (up from just 3% in 2019) [4]. This simple, dignified option involves caring for your loved one and arranging their cremation without a formal service present.
Many families choose direct cremation because it allows flexibility to hold their own memorial service later at home, in a favourite park, or at a meaningful location. It’s also significantly more affordable, with costs starting from around £1,508.
Our service includes collecting your loved one, caring for them with complete respect, handling all paperwork, and arranging cremation at Kent and Sussex Crematorium. We’ll return the ashes in a simple container, or you can choose a decorative urn. There’s no right or wrong way to say goodbye, what matters is that it feels appropriate for your family.
Traditional funeral services provide familiar structure that many families find comforting during difficult times. These services typically include a viewing period, formal funeral service, and either burial or cremation.
We work closely with local congregations throughout Tunbridge Wells, whether at Holy Trinity Church (Eridge Green) or parish churches in Goudhurst and Cranbrook. Services usually last 30-60 minutes and can include hymns, readings, prayers, and eulogies from several speakers sharing different perspectives on your loved one’s life.
After the service, there’s typically a procession to the cemetery or crematorium. We work with Tunbridge Wells Cemetery on Benhall Mill Road, which has served our community since 1873 [5]. Many traditional funerals are followed by a reception, giving family and friends time to share memories and support each other.
Graveside services offer intimate gatherings that some families prefer instead of or alongside church services. These take place at the cemetery and tend to be smaller, more personal affairs lasting 15-30 minutes with readings, prayers, music, and personal tributes.
We arrange graveside services at Tunbridge Wells Cemetery, which spans 26 acres with over 44,000 burials since 1873, including a Grade II Listed Chapel. For families preferring natural settings, we work with Eden Valley Woodland Burial Ground near Edenbridge, offering 26 acres of grassland, meadows, and ancient woodland where tree planting creates living memorials.
Weather considerations are important in Kent. We provide contingency plans for rain, umbrellas, and covered seating. Many families find being outdoors surrounded by nature provides peace and connection perfect for their goodbye.
More families choose celebration of life services focusing on joy and memories, with 51% of funerals now described this way [6]. These services can take place anywhere meaningful, favourite restaurants, The Nevill cricket ground, village halls in Langton Green, or your own garden.
Services might include sharing favourite stories, playing special music, displaying photographs and memorabilia, or incorporating hobbies and interests. We’ve organised celebrations featuring classic car displays and gardening demonstrations, depending on what honours the person’s memory.
The tone tends to be warmer and more relaxed than traditional funerals, though deeply meaningful. Many families find focusing on celebration helps process grief positively whilst creating lasting memories. We help plan every aspect, from venues to catering featuring your loved one’s favourite foods, creating something authentic to your family.
Embalming isn’t legally required in the UK except for overseas repatriation [7]. However, some families choose it for open-casket viewings, when there’s a delay before the funeral, or for peace of mind.
The process involves temporarily preserving the body using specialized techniques, allowing families to spend time with their loved one before the funeral. This can be especially important when family members are traveling from far away. Our qualified embalmer treats everyone with respect and dignity.
Embalming does change the body’s appearance somewhat and isn’t permitted for natural burials due to environmental concerns. Some religious traditions, including Islam and Judaism, don’t permit embalming. If you’re unsure, we’ll discuss all options including natural care methods and refrigeration for short-term preservation without pressure.
We arrange transportation with the same care and dignity as every aspect of our service. Our team is available 24 hours daily to collect your loved one from hospitals, care homes, or private residences throughout West Kent and South East London, including Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury.
During transportation, your loved one is treated with complete dignity using specially designed vehicles maintained to highest standards. Families can follow or be present during collection when they wish.
Once in our care, your loved one remains in our modern facilities until the funeral. Our preparation room meets all health and safety standards with strict protocols ensuring appropriate treatment regardless of circumstances. We coordinate transportation from other areas and handle all logistics for bringing someone home to their family.
When someone dies abroad or needs international transportation, additional legal requirements and documentation are involved [8]. Our repatriation service handles these complexities so families can focus on supporting each other.
Bringing someone home to the UK requires completing legal procedures in the country where death occurred, obtaining translated documentation, and meeting specific requirements including embalming and specialized coffins. We coordinate with international funeral directors, embassies, airlines, and UK authorities.
The process typically takes two weeks or more, with costs often exceeding £15,000 depending on location and circumstances. We provide clear expense information and help families understand potential insurance coverage. Sometimes cremation abroad with ash repatriation is simpler and more affordable while allowing memorial services at home.
Environmental consciousness is increasingly important to families, with nearly 270 natural burial grounds now operating across the UK [9]. Natural burials use biodegradable coffins made from wicker, bamboo, or cardboard, with no embalming chemicals, allowing the body to return to earth naturally.
We work with Eden Valley Woodland Burial Ground, a beautiful 26-acre site near Edenbridge featuring grassland, meadows, and ancient woodland. Families can plant native trees over burial plots, creating living memorials growing for generations.
Green funerals can include traditional cremation with environmentally conscious choices like locally-sourced flowers, car-sharing, recycled paper, or renewable energy venues. Natural burial prevents approximately 1.4 tonnes of carbon emissions compared to traditional cremation [10], making it impactful for environmentally conscious families whilst preserving landscapes and supporting wildlife.
Spending time with your loved one before the funeral can be important for many families. Our viewing arrangements provide comfort and privacy during these meaningful moments in our peaceful chapel of rest.
We offer private family viewing times that can be particularly helpful for children, who often benefit from seeing that death is peaceful rather than frightening. Some families prefer home viewings, which we can facilitate when appropriate, providing comfort in familiar surroundings.
We encourage families to take whatever time they need during viewings. Some want brief goodbyes while others prefer longer periods of quiet reflection. If your loved one’s appearance has been affected by illness or injury, we’ll discuss this sensitively beforehand. There’s no right or wrong approach – we simply provide supportive environments for whatever feels appropriate to your family.
Our location in Royal Tunbridge Wells positions us perfectly to serve families throughout the historic spa town and surrounding areas. We regularly assist families from Southborough’s family-friendly neighbourhoods to the village communities of Goudhurst and Cranbrook, from modern Pembury near the hospital to the charming streets around The Pantiles.
The area’s excellent transport links, including direct rail services to London and comprehensive bus networks, make it easier for family members to gather for services. We work with families who have connections throughout South East London and can coordinate services that accommodate travel from Greenwich, Lewisham, Bexley, and Bromley.
Our knowledge of local venues, from the grand Assembly Hall Theatre to intimate village halls, helps us suggest appropriate locations for memorial services and receptions. We’re familiar with the area’s hotels and restaurants for families hosting guests from out of town.
With 19.8% of Tunbridge Wells residents over 65 [11], our community includes many established families with deep local roots. We understand the importance of honouring these connections and can help coordinate with local organisations, clubs, and community groups that meant something to your loved one.
The area’s rich religious heritage, with nearly 130 places of worship representing many denominations [12]), means we work regularly with diverse faith communities and understand the traditions that bring comfort to different families.
Losing someone special is never easy, but you don’t have to face the arrangements alone. As your local funeral director in Tunbridge Wells, we’re here to support you with experience, understanding, and genuine care.
Our team is available 24 hours a day at 01892 300330, and you can reach us immediately when you need help. We understand that every family’s situation is different, and we’ll work with you to create arrangements that feel right for your loved one and provide comfort to those who cared about them.
Whether you’re dealing with an expected death after a long illness or facing the sudden loss of someone you love, we’ll guide you through each step with patience and respect. Our 25+ years of experience serving families throughout West Kent means we understand the challenges you’re facing and know how to help.
From our location near the Kent and Sussex Crematorium, we serve families throughout Royal Tunbridge Wells, Southborough, Pembury, High Brooms, and the beautiful villages of the High Weald. We’re honoured to be part of this community and to help families during their most difficult times.
When you’re ready to talk, we’re here to listen. Every conversation begins with understanding your needs, your loved one’s wishes, and how we can best support your family during this difficult time. There’s never any pressure to make decisions quickly or choose services you don’t want.
Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials – serving families throughout Tunbridge Wells with compassion, dignity, and care when you need it most.
How quickly do we need to make funeral arrangements after someone dies?
Death must be registered within 5 days in England and Wales, but you don’t need to have all funeral details decided immediately. We can collect and care for your loved one while you take time to make thoughtful decisions about the service.
What if we can't afford a traditional funeral?
We offer various options to suit different budgets, including direct cremation from £1,508.50 (CMA U – Competition and Market Authority’s Unattended funeral package). We can also discuss payment plans and help you understand what elements of a funeral are most important to your family. No one should feel ashamed about financial concerns, we’re here to help find solutions.
Can we still have a meaningful service with direct cremation?
Absolutely. Many families hold beautiful memorial services after direct cremation, often in locations that were meaningful to their loved one. This approach can actually give you more flexibility and time to plan something truly personal.
What happens if someone dies during the night or on weekends?
We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Death doesn’t follow business hours, and neither do we. Our team will respond promptly whenever you need us.
How do we choose between burial and cremation?
This decision often depends on personal beliefs, family traditions, environmental concerns, and practical considerations like cost and ongoing care. We can discuss all the factors that might influence your choice without any pressure.
Can we arrange a funeral for someone who wasn't religious?
Of course. Humanist and secular funerals are common and can be every bit as meaningful as religious services. We work with experienced celebrants who can help create services that reflect your loved one’s values and your family’s wishes.
What if family members disagree about funeral arrangements?
Family disagreements during grief are more common than you might think. We can help facilitate discussions and suggest compromises that honour everyone’s concerns while keeping the focus on your loved one’s memory.
Do we need to decide everything at once?
Not at all. We can begin with the essential arrangements and add details as you make decisions. Many families find it helpful to start with basic plans and then personalize as they think more about what would be most meaningful.
Address:
39 Crescent Rd
Royal Tunbridge Wells
TN1 2LZ
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.
