Funeral Directors Woolston
When someone close to you dies, it helps to know exactly who to call. For families in Woolston, Weston, Sholing and Peartree, that has often been J Lawrence & Sons. We are an independent, family-run firm of funeral directors, established in 1870, and we have been looking after families on both sides of the River Itchen for more than 150 years.
Our team answers the phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether you need us to bring your loved one into our care tonight, want help registering a death, or simply need to talk through what happens next, call us on 023 8055 4801.
Affordable & Professional Funeral Services in Woolston
A good funeral does not have to be an expensive one. We give every Woolston family a clear, itemised estimate before anything is agreed, so you can see exactly where the money goes and choose only what you want. There is never any pressure to add extras.
From a simple, direct cremation to a traditional church service, our professional funeral services are shaped around your loved one and your budget. We offer a wide choice of funeral coffins & caskets, flowers and vehicles, and as an appointed Golden Charter funeral director we can also help you plan and pay for a funeral in advance.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Woolston
The first hours after a death can feel overwhelming. These are the usual first steps, and we can help with every one of them:
- If the death happens at home, call the person’s GP (or 111 out of hours). Once a doctor has confirmed the death, call us and we will come to bring your loved one into our care, day or night.
- If the death happens in hospital, such as Southampton General, or in a care home or hospice, the staff will guide you. Let them know you have chosen J Lawrence & Sons and we will arrange everything with them.
- Register the death within five days. A doctor’s Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is sent to the register office, and we can explain the process and what to bring. If you have any questions, contact us and we will talk you through it.
- Meet with us when you feel ready, at our premises or in your own home, to talk through the funeral arrangements at your own pace.
Every family is different, and nothing has to be decided straight away. Our experienced funeral directors will take care of the practical side so you have time to grieve and to plan a farewell that feels right.
Our Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
Planning your own funeral in advance means your family will know your wishes, and the cost of our services is fixed at today’s prices. We work in partnership with Golden Charter, one of the UK’s largest funeral plan providers, which has helped over 1 million people plan ahead.
Our pre-paid funeral plans in Woolston can be tailored to the kind of funeral you want, and include an allowance towards third-party costs such as cremation or burial fees and the officiant’s fee. Because we are independent, we take the time to get to know you. We are happy to talk it through in person, over the phone or by email, whichever suits you best.
Funeral Services That We Offer
At J Lawrence & Sons, we provide the most complete range of funeral services Woolston has to offer, including:
Funeral Arrangements
When you feel ready to plan the funeral, one of our funeral directors will sit down with you, either at our premises or in your own home in Woolston. We will explain your options clearly and help you make decisions one at a time, including:
- Burial or cremation
- A religious, non-religious or celebrant-led service
- Music, readings and hymns
- Obituary notices
- Flowers or charitable donations
- Hearse and limousine requirements
- Visiting your loved one in our Chapel of Rest
- Options for the cremated remains
We arrange services in churches, crematorium chapels and our own chapel, and can place notices in national and regional newspapers, including the Daily Echo. Read more about our funeral arrangements.
Burial Services
A burial gives family and friends a permanent place to visit. Southampton’s main cemeteries are council-run and include Hollybrook, South Stoneham, St Mary Extra, Millbrook and Southampton Old Cemetery. St Mary Extra, in Sholing, is the closest to Woolston.
The service can take place in a church, in our chapel or at the graveside. We work with ministers of all faiths, independent celebrants and humanist celebrants, and can arrange hymns, recorded music and flowers. Find out more about our burial services.
Memorial Services
Some families choose to hold a memorial service a few weeks or months after the funeral, when more people can attend and there is time to plan. We can help with every part of it, from choosing a venue to arranging readings, music, photographs and an order of service.
We will listen to what you have in mind and give you a clear, cost-effective quote. Learn more about memorial services in Woolston.
Cremation Services
J Lawrence & Sons has provided cremation services in Southampton for over a century. We regularly work with the three crematoria serving the area: Southampton Crematorium on Bassett Green Road, Wessex Vale Crematorium in West End and Test Valley Crematorium near Romsey.
Afterwards, the ashes can be scattered in the crematorium’s garden of remembrance, interred in a family grave or churchyard, kept at home, or scattered at a place that meant something to your loved one. We will explain the options and help with any arrangements.
Funeral Flowers
Flowers are often one of the most personal parts of a funeral. We can arrange funeral flowers in many styles, including wreaths, baskets, coffin sprays and standing sprays, using popular flowers such as lilies, roses, orchids, chrysanthemums and carnations.
If you would prefer to use your own florist, that is no problem. We simply ask that flowers arrive with us at least two hours before the service.
Our Funeral Coffins and Caskets
Choosing a coffin is a very personal decision. We offer a wide range, from traditional wooden coffins to more modern designs, to suit different wishes and budgets.
If you are unsure of the difference, a coffin is tapered at the head and foot and widest at the shoulders, while a casket is rectangular and usually made from heavier timber. You can browse our full range of coffins and caskets, or ask us to talk you through the options.
Why Choose J Lawrence & Sons Funeral Directors?
J Lawrence & Sons is one of the oldest independent family businesses in Southampton. Established in 1870, we are still family-owned and family-run, with no shareholders or head office setting our prices. John and Chris Lawrence have more than 60 years of combined experience and have been part of the business since leaving school.
Families in Woolston choose us because we are local, independent and there for them at any hour. Alongside the funeral itself, we can help with funeral planning, funeral arrangements, funeral coffins and caskets, registration of death in South Hampshire and pre-paid funeral plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you cover Woolston and the surrounding areas?
Yes. We regularly look after families in Woolston, Weston, Sholing, Peartree, Itchen and across Southampton.
Can I call you at night or at the weekend?
Yes. Our phone line on 023 8055 4801 is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
How much does a funeral cost?
It depends on the choices you make. We will give you a clear, itemised estimate before you agree to anything, and we can suggest ways to keep costs down.
Can you visit me at home?
Yes. If you prefer, one of our funeral directors can meet you at home in Woolston to make the arrangements.
Contact Us!
If someone close to you has died, or you would like to talk about a funeral or a pre-paid plan, we are here to help. Call us any time on 023 8055 4801, email jlawrenceundertakers@btconnect.com, or use our online contact form and we will get back to you.