Arranging a Funeral

Where will the funeral take place?

Who will conduct the service?

  • At a church service the minister will normally conduct the funeral service and stipulate what can or cannot be done within his church. As a general rule and following consultation, the minister will be quite happy for relatives or friends to participate in the funeral service.
  • In other places anyone may be asked to conduct a funeral service, a religious minister of any denomination, a non-religious celebrant, a humanist, the funeral director, a friend or relative or a member of a connected club or organisation.
  • We will be pleased to contact the person taking the service on your behalf or advise and work with you to construct the most appropriate form of service.

How do we plan the service?

  • It is important that you have the sort of service you feel most comfortable with. When a minister  is involved they normally contact the next of kin and arrange to meet in order to plan and discuss the most appropriate form of funeral service.
  • This is the time to mention any special music, readings, poems or tributes you may want during the funeral service. You may like a tribute of personal memories spoken by a close personal friend.
  • Remember that each service is unique and a tribute to the person who has died.

What is an address?

  • The address is a short history, a speech about the person who has died. Usually delivered by the minister at a funeral service but sometimes by a relative or friend.
  • It is important to give this some thought before the funeral. It gives a personal touch to the service.
  • How did he or she like to be known. Perhaps they always used their middle name, or a nickname.
  • A short history of their life. Childhood, family connections, clubs or associations, likes and dislikes of golf, gardening or sport in fact anything that says, "That's him!”
  • Most importantly their character.  Did they tell terrible jokes?  Were they happy and bubbly? Often a humorous family story can make all the difference to a funeral service.

What music can we use?

  • Almost any music can be used. Organ music, musical instruments, personal CD's or the electronic system at the crematorium.
  • At a church there is usually an organist. Arrange the music and hymns in conjunction with the minister.
  • Remember that some hymns have more than one tune.
  • At a crematorium we are limited to time but it is possible to play two or three pieces of music, or a double service time can be booked.
  • We will be pleased to help and advise on music to be played during the service.

Should we view at the chapel of repose?

  • This is a personal choice.
  • Many people gain considerable comfort in visiting to pay their final respects, whilst others prefer to keep their personal memories of happier times.
  • You can ask for the coffin to be brought home so you can pay your respects there if you wish, or it may rest at our Chapel of Repose.
  • We normally supply a dressing gown styled robe to dress the person who has died.
  • You may prefer to supply us with some personal clothes.
  • Certainly, spectacles or dentures if normally used help us to present a more natural appearance.
  • Artefacts such as photographs or cards, perhaps a small flower may be placed in the coffin.
  • You may need to decide whether items of jewellery should be left on or returned to the family.
  • If you wish to visit our Chapel of Repose we ask you to make a mutually convenient appointment.

Who will carry the coffin?

  • We provide bearers in all cases.
  • Members of the family or friends may wish to assist. This is possible, but we will provide some simple instructions beforehand.

What transport will we need?

  • The only essential vehicle required for a funeral is a hearse. We provide a hearse with all our funerals. Special hearses pulled by horses are available at an additional cost. Please click here for details.
  • Most of our funerals provide one limousine for the family.
  • Additional limousines are available at an extra cost.
  • Our limousines are equipped with umbrellas for your use in inclement weather.
 

Walter C Parson

The Old Police Station, Callington

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  • Client parking available
  • Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement rooms
  • Chapel of rest & Preparation facilities

The Old Police Station
1 Saltash Road,
Callington,
Cornwall,
PL17 7BB

Office Opening Hours
Mon – Fri, 10.00am – 4.00pm

Tel 01579 382 000 (24 Hr Number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

The Firs, Crownhill, Plymouth

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  • Client parking available
  • Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement rooms
  • Chapel of rest & Preparation facilities

The Firs, 702 Budshead Road,
Crownhill,
Plymouth,
Devon,
PL6 5DY

Office Opening Hours
Mon-Fri, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

Tel 01752 76 76 76 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Decimus, Exeter

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  • Parking close by & Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities

Decimus,
206 Topsham Road,
Exeter,
Devon,
EX2 6AA

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm

Tel 01392 43 33 33 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Riverside, Ivybridge

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception &  24 Hour service
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

Riverside,
9 Costly Street,
Ivybridge,
Devon,
PL21 0DB

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm

Tel 01752 69 09 09 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Kings House, Newton Abbot

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception & Disabled access
  • Arrangement rooms & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

Kings House,
King Street,
Newton Abbot,
Devon,
TQ12 2LG

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01626 33 44 44 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

St Mary’s View, Plympton, Plymouth

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  • Easy parking close by
  • Reception & Disabled access
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

St Mary’s View, 2 Market Road,
Plympton,
Plymouth,
Devon,
PL7 1QW

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 343 848 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Barton, Plymstock, Plymouth

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  • 3 hours free parking in the Broadway Car Park (enter registration number at parking machine)
  • Disabled access
  • Reception & administration office
  • Arrangement rooms
  • Chapel of rest & preparation facilities

Entrance via the Broadway Car Park

Barton, Horn Lane,
Plymstock,
Plymouth,
Devon, PL9 9BR

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 40 40 42 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Pengelly Funeral Service, Saltash

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  • Parking close by & Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities

 

Pengelly Funeral Service
139, Fore Street,
Saltash,
Cornwall,
PL12 6AB

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 84 88 38 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Salisbury House, St Judes, Plymouth

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  • On street parking & Reception
  • Arrangement rooms & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities
  • Administration office

Salisbury House, 11 Tothill Avenue,
St Judes,
Plymouth,
Devon,
PL4 8PJ

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 66 54 38 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

The Stables, Tavistock

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement rooms & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities

The Stables,
32 West Street,
Tavistock,
Devon,
PL19 8JY

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm

Tel 01822 617 300 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Pidgen & Son Funeral Service, Torpoint

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception & Disabled access
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

Pidgen & Son Funeral Service
4, Trevol Business Park
Torpoint,
Cornwall,
PL11 2TB

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm

Tel 01752 812 479 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Torquay, Babbacombe Road

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  • Client parking available
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities
  • Reception

147 Babbacombe Road,
Torquay,
Devon,
TQ1 3SU

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm

Tel 01803 32 94 94 (24 Hr number)