Exceedingly satisfied by the service I received from Direct Cremation. I contacted Direct…read moreCremation immediately after my dad passed away. Within two hours, three individuals arrived in suited attire to transport my dad, they were very gentle and caring in handling my dad's body with dignity and respect. Steven, The service director was extremely diligent and communicated with me from start to finish. As I live abroad, I intended to take my dad's remains back home to the US with me. He was kind enough to guide me through the entire process step by step and go over the requirements involved to transport human remains from one country to another. As I needed return back home, he expedited the cremation for my dad which was done within a week. I was provided with the exact date and time my dad would be cremated, which was good to know, as I informed all our family members to light a candle and say a prayer at that specific time in remembrance of dad. Steven, personally hand delivered my dad's ashes to me at my hotel, which I thought was very professional and thoughtful of him to do so. He went through the final documents with me to be certain I had everything needed to board my flight so I could take my dad's remains home with me. Direct Cremation provides a great service at very reasonable costs! Thank you, for making this process a little less stressful by being so helpful! Annemarie C

When my wife's father, John, died, we were somewhat reticent about the idea of a direct funeral,…read morefeeling we 'should' go down the conventional, full-blown ceremonial route. However, to put it bluntly, it would have been a farce given certain complex dynamics within our wider family. Because of those, it was an event we dreaded for years, fearing historical issues and personal agendas would come to the fore, overshadowing and detracting from the real meaning and significance of the event. However, in the end, we're so glad we opted for Harbour Funerals and can't recommend their excellent service enough. Its owner, Steven Cains, was wonderful, giving us personal attention in a way we've never experienced before, having organised several other family funerals. He struck the perfect balance of being extremely professional and respectful but also genuinely friendly and personable, and he was readily available by e-mail or phone, keeping us in the loop throughout. The process really was as simple as making an initial enquiry and completing a thankfully straightforward form online. We knew the actual time John's cremation was scheduled for, so were able to pass this on to others we thought might wish to set aside time to do their own thing, in their own way. For example, in our case, Sharon and I chose to reflect and reminisce near a focal point consisting of a photograph of John, some of his favourite flowers and a lighted candle. And that, in fact, made it feel much more personal and real to us than the alternative a large get-together would have, what with the need to organise so many practical matters and feeling obliged to make sure everyone else present was okay and catered for. Conversely, though, the sheer simplicity of Harbour's method also lends itself to anyone who wants to organise a larger or maybe more unusual event whenever they choose to, or can afford it, or are able to get various parties together at a mutually convenient time for the majority, perhaps in a more suitable place, for example, when obligations, commitments, health issues or distance, and so on, may pose problems. In terms of cost, there was absolutely no comparison between this and a 'traditional' funeral with this being so much cheaper, but only in price and not the quality of our experience. With the latter persons arranging a funeral so often end up feeling ripped-off but guilty if not spending a small fortune on this, that and the other, often for the benefit of all and sundry rather than the person who has died. We could have had John's ashes scattered on our behalf, but we chose to have them delivered to us and were so surprised and pleased that Steven's personal touch even extended to him hand delivering them himself at a time of our choosing. They were housed in a tasteful, wooden box with a personalised plaque (the option of a scattering tube was also available as an alternative). We can't thank Steven enough for personally ensuring that what would undoubtedly have been a much more complicated and traumatic event turned out to be simple and as calm and dignified as possible in reality. In short, then, Sharon and I thoroughly recommended Harbour Funerals.

Dear Nick, On behalf…read moreof my sisters and our families, I would like to thank your wonderful company for caring for us and my late mother so well. We had no idea what to expect and we were guided so well by you all. I want to name everyone as an outstanding credit to the company. Many thanks

From the owner: We have established our reputation by providing an exceptional Funeral service at an affordable…read morecost. Our fleet of luxury vehicles, attention to detail and personal service sets us apart from all our competitors.

I've been to Randalls Crematorium a few times over the years. It's located just outside Leatherhead…read moretown centre. The crematorium is located within very peaceful grounds with well maintained gardens lending to the overall air of calmness. There is a decent sized car park but with one service following on swiftly from another, there needs to be adequate parking. Services are held in the discreet brick building. The interior is peacful and reverential but it is a bit on the small side with many guests having to stand at the services I've attended there. Funerals are never happy occasions but the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere at Randalls Park does provide an appropriate setting to say goodbye to loved ones

chris and Jill Reilly Funeral Services was recommended to me by a friend and I could not be more…read morepleased. My much loved Dad died in hospital, I contacted CJ Reilly and hey presto, they took control and made it all so manageable. The love and respect shown to my Dad was second to none. I dreaded visiting him in the Chapel of Rest, but when I did see him, he looked as though he was just asleep, they gave him dignity. On the day, Chris and his team understood completely, it was all carried out with a quiet, respectful elegance. I was fortunate to have a priest from Eltham, Father Richard, also recommended by CJ Reilly, they have a wonderful florist working with them and there you have it a marvellous, comprehensive service designed to touch the heart. Thank you so very much. Wendy Benton and family.

I cannot thank Chris, Jill, Hayley and all the staff at CJ Reilly enough for my Mum's Funeral. They…read morewere so kind, compassionate and thoughtful. From the start to end everything was just perfect and they took such great care of my Mum's funeral. The service they provided was absolutely flawless and everyone who attended the funeral commented on how lovely everything was and what a wonderful tribute to my Mum. My family and I cannot thank you enough for providing such a very special good bye to my Mum.

Colin done my sisters funeral this month and also done Her…read morehusbands funeral 8years ago and they gave excellent Service from start to finish. Even took us to where we went afterwards. Nothing was to much trouble.

From the owner: We arrange funerals that reflect and incorporate the wishes of the individual, family and friends…read more We give you a complete guide to the options you have without hesitation, prejudice or pressure.

If crematoria can be lovely, this is truly lovely…read more Firstly it is situated in a great parkland, with trees, benches and a sense of peace. We were there on a beautiful autumn day, which no doubt added to the beauty and soothed our sadness. The Crematorium itself is simply laid out with a wide porch. The windows let in the sunshine. We did the 'service' ourselves, in a way we felt would please the deceased. The staff were very discreet. Very helpful, but respectful to the highest degree. If I lived in this area, I would spend time in the parkland - it feels so faraway from the city, so peaceful. A place to read, stroll and be glad to be alive.

The reason I have given this review is, visiting our lost one is heartbreaking but every time we…read morehave visited every flower container we have placed there has been stolen, I think that the people who do this should be ashamed stealing from the dead. We have had vases which were all engraved with husband grandad dad all stolen. How would the thieves feel if someone did the same to their loved ones. Shame on you.

Yesterday we spent about three hours walking around the cemetery and it's really lovely. The…read moreprettiest section is the Memorial Garden, which consists of many large rose gardens. Not only were the roses beautiful and plentiful, but a nice aspect is that each rose bush is a memorial to a loved one. The cemetery is large and we didn't even see some parts of it. Also, it's beautifully-maintained. Some of the graves are quite old and overgrown, but that doesn't detract from the overall ambiance. Also, the man working at the entrance was very friendly.

It's very difficulty reviewing a cemetery, as it's unlikely you'll ever find one where you had a…read moregood time. The City of London cemetery is a pretty big one. They were burying people a hundred years ago and they're still burying them today. My preference would be that people stop dying, but it seems that we don't have the option. The cemetery is nice, if nice is the word. If you have to go to one, this is a nicely kept place; it is always looking fresh and green and beautiful; everything is well kept. What more can you really ask for?. You can ask for a jazz band, but it's unlikely you'll get one. As far as cemeteries go, this is tops.

This is one of City churches rebuilt by Hawksmoor, rather than Sir Christopher Wren, and provides…read morean interesting contrast in styles. The first church here was established on the site of a Roman temple to Concord by a Saxon noble called Woolnoth, which has since given the site its name. The mediaeval church was rebuilt and consecrated in 1438, only to succumb in the Great Fire of London in 1666. However, it was not completely destroyed, and was patched up and reopened by Wren in 1674, having also absorbed the neighbouring parish of St Margaret Haw in 1670. By 1711 however, the building was felt to be unsafe, and Hawksmoor, a pupil of Wren's, was commissioned to rebuild it, in 1617-1627. It is his only church in the City. Although the site is very restricted, Hawksmoor delivered classical grandeur by building upwards. The tower over the west front is broad and square, rising in stages from a grand, rusticated entrance portal through a Corinthian pediment to two smaller towers. Many architectural commentators regard this Hawksmoor original in high esteem, but I must confess that I personally find the composition of the tower rather unsatisfying, though there's no denying that it is unique and dominates the streetscape. Inside, however, is another story: here, an inner square is surmounted by a clerestorey of great arched windows, itself surrounded by aisles on all sides, with groups of three Corinthian columns at each corner. The effect is dramatic and floods the interior with light, although the chancel is correspondingly reduced in depth to that of the aisles. Overall, however, the effect is for the church to feel larger inside than out. The interior has its original furnishings, including a fine baroque reredos, and a rather fancy, partly-gilded pulpit, and a fine 17th-century Schmidt organ, as well as some fine ceiling plasterwork. The walls are relatively bereft of monuments, but one Edward Lloyd, whose coffee shop gave rise to the insurance company Lloyds of London, was buried here in 1713.