Recommended Funeral Directors
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John Edwards
Address: 5 Cwmbath Road, Morriston, Swansea SA6 7AH
Phone: 01792 771232 Email: alanjames2@btconnect.com Web: www.john-edwards-funerals.co.uk
Funeral Director/s: Alan James. Until ten or so years ago Alan was an IT consultant. He came home to help his father through a bout of illness, then rose to the challenge of “using my previously acquired corporate skills in a much smaller business.” He stayed. Alan is forward thinking, keenly aware of the way things are changing, recognising that clients are more price conscious and want to create funerals which focus on the life of the person who has died, and in which mourners can participate in any way they feel comfortable. Out-of-death interests include walking, photography and listening to music – especially live music. He and his wife love to travel. Alan is an Elder at his local Baptist church, and the responsibilities which come with that take up a fair amount of his time. Premises are a three-storey house surrounded by mature gardens.
Specific Gravity: Alan will conduct funeral in the traditional costume (but without a hat), or he will wear something less formal if you wish – a lounge suit, for example. He has a handsome Volvo hearse. He says, “I’m not a petrol head and have no plans to acquire something more glamorous.” Importantly, it also enables him to keep his costs down, of course. If you want a less formal vehicle, he has a Vauxhall Omega estate.
What’s important? The focus of Alan and his team is to give you a bespoke, tailor made funeral which exactly matches your wishes, beliefs and values. He is very happy to work with people of all beliefs and none, and from any ethnic heritage. For Muslims he offers a cotton shroud which approved by Islamic authorities. He often leads funerals for those who do not want a minister, but want “something of God in the service.” For those of no belief he has a good Humanist celebrant on his books.
What’s different? This is not a big, traditional funeral director’s which carries out lots and lots of funerals. It is a small business where you will not be just another client. You will be known to everybody to works here, and for this reason you will receive a very personal service.
Services: You call will be answered by Alan, Tom or Sian. You will be looked after by just one member of staff throughout. Alan is very happy to come and see you at home and, indeed, normally does. If you want to come in and help dress the person who has died, they are very happy that you should. If you would like to care for the person who has died at home, Alan will be very happy to act as a consultant for you and do just as much as you want. If you want the person who has died to be looked after by a female, that’s fine. Alan regards embalming as “just an unnecessary expense” and will not advise it unless wholly necessary. Unusually for a funeral director, this one has an excellent website.
Remarks: An excellent small funeral director run with integrity and intelligence, and which tries that much harder than many others. Highly competitive on price.