Recommended Funeral Directors
«Back to Recommended Funeral Directors list
Barrington’s Independent Funeral Services
Address: 28 Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 4QF
Phone: 0151 928 1625 Email: david@barringtonsfunerals.co.uk Web: www.barringtonsfunerals.co.uk
Funeral Director/s: David Barrington. David’s story is best told in his own words: “I was brought up around the funeral business, our family home was where the cars were parked so when growing up I spent most of my time playing in limousines and hearses and for a young boy these cars were quite exciting. However when I was 11 years old my mum became ill, she had a fast growing brain tumour. Three months later she died, there was nothing that the doctors could do to help. I was devastated, my world had fallen apart and I felt very alone. Unfortunately, although my dad was in the funeral business, he didn't have any idea how to deal with a grieving child. I left home to go to college when I was 18 and at that stage had no intention of ever going into the family business. Six years later though, I had been made redundant and my dad wanted to retire. He offered me the business and I came home to take it over. But I wanted to do more. We were primarily a carriagemaster (a company that hires vehicles and staff to other funeral businesses.) that did the odd funeral. I Wanted to be more involved with families and give them the service that they deserved. My experience of the other funeral directors in the area was that some of them were excellent (generally the independents) and some of them were not so good, but a lot of them were very set in their ways. I believed that the clients should have more choice and flexibility, which is what I set out to do. I also have a particular interest in child bereavement, for obvious reasons, and aim to make visiting my funeral home a good experience and make each funeral I conduct a good memory for all the families that I serve.” David’s prime out-of-work interests are, together with his wife Claire, his little daughters Nell and Annie. David loves a good movie and a good rock gig. He’s a keen sailor (and keen to do more). He’s a gadget nut. He loves his hols with his in-laws in France.
Specific Gravity: Willing to adjust his attire to whatever you want. Can do the full monty with flair. Cars Mercedes. “I'm not as bothered about having a brand new shiny fleet as some other people do. however if I could have my choice of vehicles I would like a Rolls Royce Hearse and Limousine. I wouldn't want a new one and I know it isn't very environmentally friendly but I actually think for somebody's last journey they are lovely.” David offers an estate car for those who don’t want a hearse. Premises light, airy and welcoming. Says David: “In my experience funeral directors have a penchant for dark and depressing spaces. I wanted anyone coming into my office to feel relaxed and homely, with this in mind it is neutral tones. The arrangement room is like a sitting room with two sofas. The viewing rooms are also cream with large contemporary art pieces.” A really nice touch, this: “I have toys for children in case a family bring a child to entertain them and I like to encourage people to bring children with them and involve them in the whole experience.”
What’s important? David prides himself on his flexibility and willingness to do whatever is asked of him: “I have helped a client in the past who had already bought his mum's coffin and had it in a cupboard at home for when the time came. I have also helped a family who wanted no input from a funeral director apart from needing a coffin and a hearse.” He adds: “It is not for a funeral director to be judgmental.” This is an attitude which is rarer than you might think!
What’s different? Unlike a lot of funeral directors, David has experience of real life – the life of the living. He looks at things differently from them, he finds. And, as one who was bereaved young, he has especial empathy for bereaved children. A great believer in open-mindedness and transparency. Very much in touch, and enthusiastically so, with the way funerals are going and abreast of what people now want.
Services: Your call will be answered by David, or possibly by Ian Pye. The first funeral director you deal with will almost certainly look after you throughout and be there on the day of the funeral. Yes to home visit: “I meet the clients wherever they want to meet, this can be at home in my office or somewhere else, I have met in pubs, and registry office waiting rooms to make funeral arrangements.” Yes to you coming in and laying out and dressing the body. Embalming recommended if you want to visit, but he will discuss this with you carefully. Full choice of coffins, but he does not offer foil veneered coffins: “They are cheap and of poor quality.” Will happily work with home funeralists: “I have helped some families who have met with resistance locally in doing DIY funerals. It is not for funeral directors to dictate to families how they celebrate the life of their loved ones.” Minority ethnic groups very welcome: “I am the nominated funeral director for the reformed jewish community in Liverpool, I also have some experience of Muslim funerals and Chinese funerals.” Same sex funeral director to lay out the body if you wish. Good, informative website.
Remarks: David is a lovely, genuine man who operates well beyond the call of duty. Forward looking and respectful of what people want, you’ll find here none of the stuffiness and self-importance that blight other funeral directors.
There are 2 comments about Barrington’s Independent Funeral Services
paul andrews said...
davids a very empathetic understanding very flexible helpful man with a listening ear and great auention to detail and specific needs and requests to individuals as proven at my uncles funeral early this year. And in the summer with me planning my own pre paid funeral in advance as i only have few years left. He made me feel relaxed and gave me much peace of mind. I am 100% sure he will follow my wishes through to the last detail and give a dignified personal funeral no matter how big or small. He even came to my house 3 times to help. I recommend david barrington and his servises to anybody in times of grief when a funeral is needed or if indeed to plan your own. He is a very gud man. Thank you david. Paul andrews liverpool 5.
David Gummers said...
A limerick to thank you for your help
There is a kindly funeral director called Barrington
who knows that no funeral is ever a dry run
he and his team have separated the men from the boys
as they carry out their service with such dignity and poise
that my dad would have been pleased with what they have done!
Thankk you so much for giving my dad the low key personal funeral he had asked us for,
David Gummers