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ARKA Original Funerals
Address: 39-41 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PB and at 136 Islingword Road, Brighton BN2 9SH
Phone: Surrey Street: 01273 766620; Islingword Road: 01273 621444 Email: info@arkafunerals.co.uk Web: http://www.arkafunerals.co.uk/
Funeral Director/s: This is an all-women team led by Cara Mair, co-founder of ARKA. Cara was drawn to the industry after the death of her mother in 1998, when she “decided to explore the death industry to see what occurred behind closed doors. I worked in the traditional funeral world and from this quite negative experience was able to focus on what could and should be offered by funeral directors.” Believes in empowering people through information so that they can make informed choices. “We work alongside people rather than dictating what they should do.” When not working, Cara loves horse riding, walking her dog, Maud, and being out in the fresh air. She loves a good book and a good movie – and “a good white wine is never out of the question.” Like Cara, her team are passionate about their work. You can see who they are on ARKA’s excellent website. They are all very nice people.
Specific Gravity: They don’t have a set way of doing things here and they don’t think in terms of ‘traditional’ and ‘alternative’. Every funeral arrangement begins with a blank piece of paper and they want you to take all the time you need to create the funeral you want – a funeral which is “individually designed and as unique as the person involved.” They will then blend with your dress code, in consultation with you. It’s extraordinary what a difference this can make. Trad funeral attire can create a huge gulf between the undertaker’s staff and the mourners. You can choose from the full range of transport. ARKA’s own ‘hearse’ is a navy blue Ford Galaxy. They can get you a traditional hearse if you want – or anything else you want. As they say, “No vehicle is out of bounds.” One family chose to use a handcart.
What’s important? There are three distinctive features to the way they do things at ARKA. First, you will receive a highly personal service from outstandingly good people who will encourage you to go at your own pace – there’s no hurry. Second, you will find here all the support you need in caring for the person who has died so far as you feel able, if that’s what you want. If you wish to have the body home, they will support you – or you can come in and decorate the coffin. Third, at ARKA ethics matter, so they take environmental issues seriously. For this reason, their specialism is green funerals and woodland burial.
What’s different? ARKA is as refreshingly unlike a trad undertaker’s as you could wish. When you go to see them you will probably find a decorated coffin in the window. Inside, you will find yourself in a bright and welcoming environment where essential oils burn and birdsong plays. You may well be welcomed by Jean Francis’ golden retriever, Poppy.
Services: Your call will be answered by Cara or Belinda. Once you have engaged ARKA you will be known by all who work there – it’s all part of the personal service. Same sex person to wash and dress the person who has died it you wish. Very happy for you to come in and do this yourself – or do it at home: “This is a service which is often taken up.” Yes to home visit and to supporting home funeralists in a consultative capacity. Very anti-embalming unless absolutely necessary – and they’ve never had to do it. Embalming, they say, is “un-environmental, intrusive and unnecessary. We work in a very gentle way.” Good secular celebrants on their books. Accustomed to working with all ethnic and faith groups.
Remarks: ARKA is one of Britain’s most distinctive, forward-looking and intelligent funeral directors, an influential agent of change. Yes, there’s a strong feminine influence here, but don’t think it’s all about that. Cara and her team are, first and foremost, people. These people are undertakers with a difference, for sure, but it’s not about being different for the sake of it, it’s about doing as well as they possibly can. Cara and her team are dedicated to helping you to create sendoff that is rich and right and real – and transformative of grief.
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