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Padfields Funeral Service
Address: 125 Boutport Street, Barnstaple, North Devon EX31 1TD
Phone: 01271 342024 Email: chris.eastaugh@btopenworld.com Web: No website
Funeral Director/s: Chris Eastaugh, Dip FD. Didn’t know he was destined to be a funeral director until a chance encounter with the profession opened up his future. He’s an insurance, finance and IT support man by background. But when he and his wife Mavis moved to North Devon he did some casual work for a local undertaker and “realised that what was going on could really help and support people.” At the same time, Mavis, in her capacity as nursing home manager, had got to know Chris’s predecessor at Padfield’s very well so, when he felt retirement beckoning, and knowing a good thing when he saw it, he asked Chris if he’d like to take over. Chris “jumped at the chance as I knew I could put my own stamp on this independent business.” He had finally found what he was destined to do: “I am motivated by all the things that made me bad at insurance. I am caring and sympathetic by nature, and this enables me to support clients through a most difficult time and help them through the practicalities of arranging the funeral of their loved ones.” Chris has a depth of academic background unusual in a funeral director. He has a Master’s degree in Pastoral Theology, and has made a study of bereavement and funerals. He is also a practising Catholic – “strong beliefs which underpin all I do. Professionally, of course, I welcome and support clients of all faiths and none.” The record shows that he most certainly does. Out of death interests include church work (he’s the parish MC), membership of the Rotary Club, classical music, travel and family life.
Specific Gravity: Inclines to formality: “I wear a lounge suit in the office but when I am conducting a funeral I wear a full frock coat.” He is a great believer in showing respect for the deceased, but is willing to dress down – “within reason”. The same belief informs his attitude to his vehicles: “Smartly turned out vehicles and staff reflect the quality of our service and show respect for the deceased.” In the same spirit, “We use our hearse to convey the deceased from the place of death as we consider this more respectful than just putting them in the back of a van!” If you want something more downbeat, he’ll happily arrange this for you.
What’s important? Padfields is a small local business, and happy to stay that way. Because they average around two funerals a week, they’ve got masses of time to give you, and they don’t begrudge a minute of it. It is a service which larger (and invariably more expensive) businesses cannot afford to offer. Such is the crazy world of funeral economics. Here you will find service that is as personal as it gets, and a full focus on your values, needs and wishes.
What’s different? Chris’s academic background makes him an unusually joined-up funeral director. He regularly addresses Cruse Bereavement Care trainees. His involvement with his church not only gives him an excellent understanding of the liturgies of all denominations, it also enables him to work with you in creating the sort of ceremony which best expresses your values and beliefs – whatever they are. When I asked Chris if he liked to get involved in the process of planning the ceremony, an area into which most funeral directors will never venture, he replied, “I consider this to be basic! We are aware that people now increasingly desire to take ownership of the funeral themselves. We respond to these modern needs whilst still giving the best care possible.” Chris’s wife Mavis is a qualified civil celebrant, a member of the Institute of Civil Funerals. He has humanist celebrants on his books “whom I have no qualms about recommending.”
Services: Premises in a Victorian house next door to Padfield’s home furnishing store. Chapels of rest opposite in what was once the fire station. Your call will be answered by Chris or Mavis; if not, then by Maralyn Steward or Steve Webb. If Chris is on holiday, a neighbouring funeral director, Gordon Tamlyn, together with Maralyn, will look after you and conduct the funeral – if that is what you wish. Normally, Chris will see it all through with you from first meeting to the day of the funeral. Very happy to visit you at home to make arrangements. Yes, do come in as a family to wash and dress your loved one. A same sex person will be provided if that is what you want. Chris will recommend embalming if you want to come and visit the person who's died because he wants you to “have the best possible memory of your loved one”. Full range of coffins available. Very happy to be consultant to home funeralists and, unusually, will sell you just a coffin if that’s all you want. Some experience of different ethnic needs in this area of low ethnic variety, but Chris is well versed in the death customs of all faiths.
Remarks: Thoughtful, caring and intelligent, Chris and Mavis make a great team and work with all the dedication and industriousness of two people who have at last found their life’s work.
There are 5 comments about Padfields Funeral Service
Mavis J Eastaugh said...
Thank you for your support with the two Civil Funerals today. I am sure the customers got just what they wanted for their loved ones.
Julie Green said...
Thank you for such a professional and yet personal service. I felt totally confident in every aspect of my Mum’s funeral.
Christine Cooper said...
Brilliant service from this company. My Mother’s civil funeral was warm, friendly and enjoyable. Mr.& Mrs. Eastaugh are a credit to their profession.
Mike Kent said...
Unfortunately my son has just recently passed away as you can imagine this is a very upsetting and stressful time. During this time the arrangements and funeral was handled by Padfields Funeral Service of Boutport street Barnstaple North Devon. I can highly recommend them to anyone in the same situation as me. They were very companionate and kindness itself. I sincerely hope I am never in this situation again, but if I am I would not hesitate to use this company again so I must say thank you all most sincerely to everyone at Padfields thanks again.
Jean McGuinness said...
Thank you for all the care and compassion you showed to my family and also the care to my mother, Mr and Mrs Eastaugh are a credit to their profession, my mothers funeral was a very moving but also gentle farewell handled with compassion and every attention to detail I know my mother would have wanted