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Ruby Funerals
Address: 2 Stoke Road, Stoke Parade, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1QE
Phone: 02392 501128 Email: rubyfunerals@btconnect.com Web: www.rubyfunerals.co.uk
Funeral Director/s: Michelle Peskett & Katy McDonald both come from a counselling background and have been involved in the funeral industry since 2005. Why the career change? They were inspired both by the deaths of people they loved very much and by their negative experiences of the funeral industry. They say, “It is a very traditional industry and people often feel there are ‘rules’ or constraints when it comes to funerals, which of course is completely untrue.” Their mission is to do the job as it ought to be done. They say, "Susie, Hannah & Thelma are the inspiration behind Ruby Funerals, and it is their memory that we draw upon to ensure that our customers receive our full care and compassion at all times." Theirs is a very refreshing influence and we are lucky to have them. They bring both postgraduate educational qualifications to their work and also –most important of all – an all-too-rare degree of emotional intelligence. "I think the fact that we are fresh into the funeral industry is a positive, as we have been able to give a modern slant to our premises and approach." Both are working mums, so that’s their downtime sorted. When they’re not ferrying children they like running. Both of them family people, they also like to make the most of birthdays, Christmas, etc, to hold family get-togethers and have big parties. They are both very nice people.
Specific Gravity: Katy and Michelle will adapt their level of formality to your requirements. In their best black frock coats and hats they look terrifically well turned-out for those who like things done formally. They will also happily fall in with your own dress code. If, in preference to a hearse, you opt instead for an estate car, they will reflect this in your bill. If you would rather have a man conduct your funeral, that’s not a problem.
What’s important? Katy and Michelle pride themselves on being “big on the little details”. Everyone at Ruby Funerals is briefed on every client and they don’t miss a thing. It is very important for a funeral director to be a devil for detail. They also relish anything complicated and difficult. As they say, “We want people to want more!” Having said which, going the extra mile is, for them, standard service. They are also justly proud of their pricing structure, which is completely transparent and inclusive. No hidden extras here.
What’s different? In a male-dominated industry Ruby Funerals is that rare thing, an all-women run funeral home. They are pioneers, and though you don’t need to know this, but we’re telling you anyway, they are not always made to feel welcome by the rest of industry. Katy and Michelle are very courageous and impressively self-reliant. The fact that they are women shouldn’t make a jot of difference – but the industry has long cried out for feminine influence and we should welcome it. They are very good at supporting their clients through the process, and they don’t disappear as soon as the funeral is over. They are justly proud of their aftercare – another rare service – always there for you if you need them.
Services: Your call will be answered by Michelle or Katy. Whoever takes your call will, if possible, look after you throughout. They attach great importance to continuity of care. The names of the other people working here are Becky and Leigh in the office, and David, Craig and Mel, one or more of whom may come to collect the person who has died. Katy or Michelle will come to make arrangements with you at your home, if you wish, or at the funeral home. If you want a same-sex person to wash and dress the person who has died, that’s no problem. If you’d like to come in and help, or even do it all yourself, they will be very happy to support you. Very few funeral directors offer this. In the same spirit they are very happy to act as helpers and consultants to anyone wanting to care for their dead person at home. They do not offer embalming as standard, but will discuss the desirability with you if they think there may be a case for it. There is no extra charge for embalming (again, highly unusual). They say, “We do not want finances to be the reason that someone did not get a loved one embalmed.” They are knowledgeable about other cultures and religions: “We recently undertook the arrangements for a Russian Orthodox funeral service and received very positive feedback from the Diocese of Sourozh.” Good secular celebrants on their books, with whom they maintain a close working relationship. This, too, is highly unusual. “Once they have met the family we have an in-depth discussion to ensure that we are fully informed about the service/music choices etc. We are copied in on all emails and updated on progress. On the day of the funeral we have a brief meeting prior to the service to do a quick run through and verify important decisions.” This level of care is only very rarely to be found. In the same spirit, Kate y or Michelle always sits at the back during a funeral “for reassurance. Also, it is lovely to learn a bit about the life of the person that you have been caring for, and to be able to discuss the service with the family afterwards.” Again, a highly unusual level of care. If you want to lead the funeral yourself, they will offer you informed support. Premises are light and bright, a matter of great pride. In the words of a client: “We sat on the comfortable sofa surrounded by bright, fresh flowers and attractive prints hung from the walls – no doom or gloom here!” Plenty of free parking in the adjacent side street, or opposite in the public car park (free for three hours) or at Waitrose (free for two hours).
Remarks: A fine, highly professional funeral director’s run with great intelligence, impressive attention to detail, and above all, great care. Extremely good value for money. Says one person who contacted us at the Good Funeral Guide: "I must admit I find Funeral Directors & funerals emotional. Having visited & seen Katy & Michelle carrying out their profession words that spring to mind are very professional, warm, caring, comforting. Their place is not set out like a typical Funeral Directors, as soon as you walk in the place you feel it is a celebration of life rather that the end of someone's life."
There are 5 comments about Ruby Funerals
Julie Williams said...
Hereos of the Community 2010 – ‘Service with a Smile’ Shortlist, The News, Portsmouth
charles said...
The following was sent to me by a grateful client:
My father passed away on 21st March 2011 and his funeral was ten days later at Portchester Crematorium. I do not live in the area and so used Google to find a number of Directors near my father’s nursing home where he spent the last days of his life. The search led me to find an independent undertakers – Ruby Funerals in Stoke, managed, owned and operated by two young ladies Kate and Michelle. My initial draw was to the all inclusive price of the funeral which was very competitive with the other companies of the area. I found them very professional without losing the warm sincerity of caring for bereaved people and sensitivity about the care of the deceased person. Their premises were comfortable and genuinely homely without detracting from the sobriety of the business which brought me to consider their services. They are smart, efficient and work hard to give a sensitive and responsive support to people in early bereavement. My impression and experience was that nothing was too much trouble for them and they kept me very clearly informed about how arrangements were coming together. There was a clear and accepted understanding of budget which was easily kept to. On the day of the funeral they were consummately professional, which was more of the same, from when I had my very first dealings with them. There professional care instilled confidence in me which was in no way misplaced. Every aspect of the funeral and the executing of their service from the collection of my late father’s body, the care to bereaved people in the period between his death and the date of the funeral through to the journey from the undertakers to the departing of the funeral party from the Portchester crematorium was smart, dignified, professional and considerate. I cannot commend this company of funeral directors highly enough and I wish them every success in their business venture of the future. They are recommended to the highest degree. Thank you Ruby Funerals.
louise vaughan said...
thankyou so much kate & michelle,at a very sad time for me,these young ladies helped me so much! they are also very good at takeing note of what,you want which is so refreshing,& their surport doesnt stop at just the funeral, as they are now helping me sort out a headstone for my mum & dad.i lost mum 29 years ago & in june this year,my dad was very much his own man & did things his way with this in mind they helped plan a very fitting funeral & headstone cant thank them enough.louise & family.
Roger said...
A funeral undertaken by Ruby Funeral Services Ltd. of Stoke Road, Gosport Hampshire a few weeks ago was seen to with a high level of efficiently. I was asked to conduct the service.
The driver was respectful yet was able to chat with us in the car. The young lady who actually took charge was reverent, respectful and yet cheerful and not mournful. She was courteous and helpful as well and had a mild and caring manner with the utmost efficiency. This is true also regarding the men who would have carried the coffin. They gladly turned that privilege over to family friends who used to visit and were treated to tea and biscuits by her.
Susan Young said...
I want to tell you about the brilliant service I have just received from Ruby Funerals, Gosport, Hants. Kate and Michelle have a refreshingly down to earth attitude and were totally supportive of me when I arranged and led my mother’s funeral this week. They were highly efficient and between us we managed to organise the whole thing in 4 working days. They were immediately able to gauge the right tone to adopt with me and dealt with all my questions with sensitivity and even humour, which I needed. Copious amounts of tea and supportive but not sickly sympathy were available whenever I dropped into their office – which was often. Superb.