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Kingfisher Independent Funeral Services
Address: Gate Lodge, Cemetery Road, St Neots PE19 2BX
Phone: 01480 471001 Email: info@kingfisherfunerals.co.uk Web: www.kingfisherfunerals.co.uk
Funeral Director/s: Andrew Hickson, BMus, Dip.FD. Graduated with a music degree but prefers to be a good amateur musician and concentrate professionally on his real passion, funerals. Worked his way up from part-time driver/bearer to manager with various funeral companies, both excellent and awful. The company which he holds in very high regard and to whom he attributes his greatest learning experience, now works closely with him in providing memorials for his business. Believes that the Dip.FD shows an attained standard of professionalism to clients. Plays the organ and piano for local churches and theatre groups, and volunteers with local conservation groups.
Specific Gravity: Andrew believes that a funeral should be about the person who has died and the bereaved family, not about the funeral director. Dresses in a suit and conducts funerals in tails, but sees his role as a co-ordinator. Believes that a good funeral director should not be noticed, but should be immediately available to answer any queries.
What’s important? Andrew aims to provide the best possible service to each and every client. "There’s no such thing as a standard funeral; each one is different and entirely personal." Andrew’s website gives lots of ideas on the options available, but deliberately encourages clients to think outside the box and challenge anything with which they are not totally comfortable. The Company’s mission statement is “to work with our clients to arrange the most satisfying funeral possible. To inform clients of all options available, and to have an open mind to all suggestions.” This is the basis of the whole concept. He is the thinking-person’s Funeral Director.
What’s different? Originally a Funeral Consultant based in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, Andrew responded to the demand for a Funeral Director who is open to ideas and not commercially driven, but who can provide some of the traditional elements of the funeral service, for example, a chapel of rest. Believes that the more families get involved, the more they gain from the experience, so will actively encourage personal participation. Very happy (privileged, in fact) to work with home funeralists. Open and honest about charges; you only pay for what you want. No such thing as a package funeral Prides himself on providing an eco-friendly coffin for less than most charge for a standard one. With an excellent location, literally right in St Neots Town Cemetery, and a facility for holding funeral ceremonies and receptions within his premises, Andrew hopes to encourage funerals with no vehicles as the ultimate eco-friendly option.
Services: Your call will be answered by Andrew – it’s his business and he will be your contact throughout. This is a truly independent and personal service. On the odd occasion that he can’t answer your call (eg when he’s in the shower!) he has the technological know-how to be alerted that you’ve left a message and will call you back very quickly. Guarantees a speedy reply to e-mails, and believes that computers are important in his business. He’s a modern, forward-thinker, but won’t let this get in the way if you think otherwise! Andrew will personally contact you every day between making the arrangements and the funeral to check and update on progress. “In a world where we have accepted slow and inaccurate customer service, it gives me immense satisfaction to reverse that trend.”
Remarks: This is a very new and brave enterprise. He's a very nice man, is Andrew, and he's intelligent, too. That he entirely lacks self-importance marks him out as a refreshing rarity in this business. If you're looking for a funeral director, he's the man for you. If you want to do it all yourself, but with an expert on the other end of the telephone, he will be brilliant.
There are 8 comments about Kingfisher Independent Funeral Services
Judith Dunkling said...
I can warmly recommend Andrew and Kingfisher Independent Funeral Services to any person looking for a professional, personal and caring Funeral Director. I have been very impressed by the efficient and sympathetic way in which Andrew has helped and guided both my family and myself through the various aspects of choosing and laying a memorial plaque. Kingfisher Funerals would be my first recommendation for anyone at such a difficult time in their lives.
David Sutcliffe said...
I faced the funeral arrangements for my wife with trepidation – but I needn’t have had any worry. From the first few minutes with Andrew I felt at ease, knowing that everything would be arranged with dignity and with feeling.I was led through the maze of ‘things to do’ and was surprised that most of them were taken care of by Andrew himself. The day of the funeral progressed without any problem and this could only have been achieved by the way that attention to detail had been given.
My sincere thanks for the caring and compassionate manner in which all the multitude of tasks were undertaken. I would not hesitate to recommend this business to anyone who unfortunately needs such a service.
Roger Smith said...
A truly first class,personal service carrying out restoration work and the supply of a new memorial.
This work was not without problems but Andrew handled everything to our complete satisfaction.
Thanks
Sarah Penrose-Warren said...
I recently lost my Mum and Andrew had been recommended to me by a friend who said that he was a ‘really nice chap’. I can honestly say that Andrew is that and so much more. He is genuinely caring, considerate and kind and he guided us so gently through the preparations and the day of the funeral. Andrew made such a difference to the whole awful process of losing someone you love. By the end of the ordeal he really felt like a part of the family. We will always be grateful for the kind, respectful way he treated Mum and for the understanding and patience he showed us too.
I would certainly recommend Kingfisher Funeral Services. Sarah Penrose-Warren St Neots.
David Bowley said...
When we interred my Mothers ashes into the family grave at St.James’ Church, Little Paxton I noticed the lettering on the grave surround and the stone chippings needed attention. I approached Andrew Hickson who dealt with our request in a sympathetic and understanding yet professional way.
He is the type of person needed for such occasions and we would have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone at such sad times
Ann and David Bowley Herne Bay Kent
Sean and Leana Rose said...
You couldn’t wish for a better person to deal with such a painful situation. We felt at ease with his professional, respectful and approachable manner. He let us plan the funeral of our baby daughter and guided us where needed. A true gentleman, very considerate, thoroughly recommended.! Thanks Andrew x
Mrs Mary D'Cruz said...
When we approached Andrew Hickson of Kingfisher Funerals to arrange a Memorial Stone for our loved one, he showed our family compassion, understanding, and respect.
Over the months he helped and guided us to get the stunning Memorial Stone of our choice. His efficiency and attention to detail made everything perfect for us.
It takes a very special kind of person to go that extra mile and Andrew did much more than that for our family.
His warming gesture of putting flowers in the Memorial Vases touched us all. We will always remember this.
Andrew is a truly dedicated professional offering a first class personal service.
We have no hesitation in highly recommending Kingfisher Funerals and wish Andrew and his Business every success.
Thank you so very much Andrew.
Best wishes,
Mary, Desmond, Denise D’Cruz and Fanily.
L, D & Family said...
Andrew, you gave us simply the best funeral experience possible. Words are inadequate to express just how much this has meant to us. You looked after [ ] and her family in such a gentle, caring and respectful manner that we all felt so supported. Everything was done with [ ]’s and our best interests at heart. Your thoughtful professionalism enabled us to have not only the funeral we wanted, but also the one we really needed. We now look back on a funeral that was a fitting tribute to our Mum, and this has helped us all with the grieving process. The best blessing has been to be guided by someone who so clearly cares. We are most grateful for your incredible generosity of spirit.