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Jeremy Rule Funeral Service
Address: 12 Church Lane, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 9LG
Phone: 01763 242560 Email: jeremy.rule@btinternet.com Web: www.jeremyrulefunerals.co.uk
Funeral Director/s: Jeremy Rule, Dip FD, BIE, (50s). Began life as a farmer and worked part time at the local family-run undertaker as a driver and bearer. Was offered the post of manager in 1993, took it, and got qualified. In 1999 the owner sold the business to a larger concern, at which time Jeremy resolved to stick to his values by setting up on his own - "the best decision I ever made." He's a parish councillor and former Chairman of Therfield P.C. His son Ben is secretary of Therfield Village Hall. Both regularly help in fund raising activities within the community and at social events. Premises in a pedestrianised thoroughfare in the middle of Royston, built in 1980, a modern, light building with a deliberately non-funereal feel, which blends in with the surrounding businesses. "We do not have grave stones in the windows"!
Specific Gravity: Undemonstrative, calm, warm, strong. Steady. Jeremy is a man of great decency, utter integrity and great heart. He does formal in the traditional way, but it's not a way he's stuck in. He'll gladly wear what you want. As he says, "We feel that client satisfaction is more important than us sticking to a rigid dress code."
What’s important? Likes things to be right and be seen to be right, that's the way he is. "Being a good listener makes us good funeral directors." Big believer in professional qualifications which, he says, demonstrate that "standards are maintained which safeguard the interests of the client. The Dip FD ensures that the funeral director is trained to perform to a recognised standard." The business is a member of SAIF. Jeremy himself is also a qualified embalmer, a practice he approves of because it "improves the experience of a visit to the chapel of rest." He'll suggest it when he thinks it'll make a difference - and he won't do it unless you ask for it.
What’s different? Every funeral is different. "Everybody has different needs and we strive to meet them." He really does strive, too. His motto is "If your request is legal, decent and honest, we will do all we can to make it happen. Satisfying a small request often makes a big difference to a bereaved family. We like a challenge!"
Services: Your call will be answered by Jeremy, Ben or Amanda Rule. Yes, this is a real family business - only two other people work here, Gordon and Ted. The first person you meet will look after you throughout: "We think continuity of care is very important." Yes to home visit. Yes to coming in and washing and dressing your dead person. Happy to be a consultant to home funeralists. "Should circumstances change we are always prepared to bring the deceased to our premises for storage in the cold room at short notice." Same sex person to lay out your dead person if you wish. Experienced in the traditions and needs of most ethnic groups. Very good secular celebrants on his books.
Remarks: Jeremy is far brighter than your average funeral director, and this makes all the difference. He really is a most likeable and admirable human being. A great believer - as is this Guide - in the traditional family business. He deplores the takeovers going on in his sector and their consequences: corporate identity replacing individuality. As he says, "Economies of scale usually mean a poorer service to families. Clients are often surprised at the amount of time and care we take to provide the right funeral for them. We try to make clients feel important to us." Our verdict: he most certainly does.
There is one comment about Jeremy Rule Funeral Service
Tim Wood said...
I could not have had better service for preparing and actioning the departure of my wife July 2008. When I informed the registrar at the hospital who the directors were, the reply was “You are in good company we are happy with their services.” I myself would reccomend them to anyone. Tim Wood.