Funerals in Portswood

When a loved one passes away, there are no words to describe a person’s individual grief. It is a difficult and emotional time for many, and while you go through this process, we here at J Lawrence & Sons can help with funeral arrangements. We have been organising funerals in Portswood and surrounding areas for 150 years.  

 As a staple of the community in Portswood, we have helped many families over the years arrange funerals that reflect the personality of their loved one. To discuss our funeral plans, please call us today on 023 8055 4801

Funeral Directors Serving Portswood

As a family-run funeral home, we fully understand the emotional strain that planning a funeral can have on a family. For more than 150 years, J Lawrence & Sons has been in operation, helping many bereaved families deal with the loss of loved ones. What makes us such a trusted funeral home is that every funeral is tailored to the exact requirements of each family or individual. 

 Every human being is different, so every family wants to honour their loved one at a funeral that is unique to them. While funerals are sad occasions, they are also the perfect way to say goodbye and celebrate the life of someone you love. Our dedicated team are compassionate individuals who have vast experience in arranging funerals in Portswood. 

Meet Our Experienced Funeral Directors in Portswood

Given that J Lawrence & Sons has been in the community for more than 150 years, it has been run by many different people. However, unlike other funeral homes that you may have come across, our home has been run by the same family all these years. Currently, John and Chris Lawrence oversee the running of our funeral home, and they have both been involved since their left school. 

Get in Touch

Please fill in our form below or give us a call on 023 8055 4801 and we will get back to you.

With a combined experience of more than 60 years, you can take comfort knowing that our funeral directors have the ability to arrange a beautiful and fitting funeral for your loved one. Not only can we help with arranging the funeral but we can also assist with planning and registering a death in Portswood and surrounding areas. 

 It is a very difficult time for anyone who has lost a loved one, and there are many decisions that need to be made when planning a funeral. To prevent you from being overwhelmed, our team provide a comprehensive range of services, helping you make those decisions. One of the many reasons why we are a pillar of the community in Southampton is because of our personable approach. 

 Arranging funerals is not like any other job; you need to show compassion and sensitivity to the families and individuals you are collaborating with. Everyone deals with death differently, so it is important to create an atmosphere that makes them as comfortable as possible. Some people like to be in full control of funeral arrangements while others need a helping hand. Every member of our team has to adapt depending on the needs of the family or individual. 

 Rest assured that our directors and staff are fully capable of handling all manner of funeral requests. We will not bombard you with questions, but rather organise the arrangements at your own pace. During the initial consultation, we will explain to you what we can do to help, giving you peace of mind that we will meet your every request. 

 A funeral is an incredibly personal thing as it is the perfect way to say goodbye to a loved one following their passing. We are here to make sure that your wishes are carried out and that your loved one is honoured in the most fitting and compassionate way. Our team will make sure that the service is dignified and respectful, and if you have a unique requirement, we will do our best to fulfil it. 

Planning a Funeral

There is nothing easy about saying goodbye to a family member or friend who has recently passed away, but our staff will make the funeral process as smooth as possible. When you feel ready to discuss your funeral options, our team will arrange an initial consultation at a time and date that suits you. We are more than happy to come to your home or any location you choose to discuss funeral arrangements. 

 The planning of funerals can seem daunting, but this is what we are here for. Our team will go through every element with you step by step, making sure you feel comfortable throughout. There are some important decisions that need to be made, including whether you want a burial or cremation, a church or chapel service, as well as a religious or non-religious service. It is also worth thinking about music requirements and obituary notices. Other decisions include: 

We know it seems like a lot, but we generally find that when families have an idea of how they want to pay their respects to their loved one, the decisions flow. With regards to burials and cremations, the decision itself is a personal one and may be chosen based on the religious faith of the deceased. 

Perhaps your loved one expressed during their final days what they wanted, but if not, you should consider personal factors as well as cost. If you want your loved one to be in a permanent resting place, then burial is appropriate. Cremation may be a better option if you have a specific place personal to your loved one where you would like to scatter their ashes.  

 If the latter is the preferred choice, then Portswood residents should know that the closest crematoriums in Southampton are Wessex Vale Crematorium, Southampton Crematorium, and Test Valley Crematorium. Burial or cremation does not affect whether or not you can have the funeral service in a church or a chapel. 

 However, if a church would be an inappropriate setting for the funeral, you can opt to have the service held in the chapels at the cemetery or the crematorium. For non-religious funerals, we can put you in contact with independent speakers to take the funeral service, as well as speakers from the British Humanist Association Celebrants. 

 The lovely thing about funerals is that you can choose personal memories and keepsakes to be included in the service. For example, we have arranged funerals in Portswood for many families who like to supply the church or chapel with recorded music that is personal to the deceased. If you are having a church service, hymns can be sung. For recorded music at Southampton Crematorium or Wessex Vale Crematorium, the must is provided by Wesley Music, and they have an online list of available music. 

 To mark the passing of a loved one, many families like to have obituary notices written, and we here at J Lawrence & Sons can help with that. Our team can contact national and regional newspapers and provide them with your heartfelt words. These are just a few of the decisions that you need to make, but rest assured that our team in Portswood will help you every step of the way. 

Pre-Paid Funeral Plan

Many people choose to plan their own funeral before they die for multiple reasons. If a person has an incurable long-term illness, they may consider sorting the details out beforehand to make sure their wishes are met. Others may choose pre-paid funeral plans to alleviate the financial burden left on their family members. Whatever the reason is behind it, we can offer you an approved pre-paid funeral plan in Portswood. 

 We are proudly associated with Golden Charter Funeral Plans, and we carefully selected them because we know that they will do their best to respect your wishes. These plans are great in value and they offer plenty of flexibility for your planning. You will be able to select every requirement and every single detail to ensure that it reflects your wishes. 

 As mentioned, by paying for your funeral prior to death, you can release your family from the financial strain it can take on them. Grieving is hard enough, and by adding the financial responsibility of planning a funeral on top can add to the stress. If you need help with pre-paid funeral plans, then we are more than happy to assist with your enquiry. 

Funeral Care Specialists in Portswood

As part of our services here at J Lawrence & Sons, we also help with registering a death. Our team can give advice on the next steps and assist with the process. We fully understand that during your grief you are unlikely to know what to do when it comes to the registration process, but we can help. Whether it is the middle of the day or in the evening, feel free to contact us with your questions. 

 It is important to note that there are variations depending on the location in which your loved one has passed. For example, hospital staff will advise you on where you can obtain the required Medical Certificate if your loved one dies in hospital. Our team are more than happy to speak to the hospital department on your behalf. 

 For Portswood residents, it is important to know that if your loved one dies at Southampton General Hospital, the Bereavement Care Department at Victoria House will contact you. They will inform you of when you can collect the Certificate.  

 If they death occurred in a care home, the facility is likely to contact us to take your loved one into our care. Once a doctor or nurse has verified the death, the Medical Certificate should be available from the doctor’s surgery or via the care home itself. 

Why Choose Our Funeral Care in Portswood?

Compassion is crucial in this business, and you can trust that every member of our staff will go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable. We take care of the finer details so that you can grieve in peace. Having been in business for over a century, we have learned how to arrange funerals in Portswood and surrounding areas with the utmost respect for you and your loved one.  

 Every service is tailored to your requirements so that you can say goodbye in the most fitting way. If you don’t know where to begin with regards to planning a funeral, then our team are more than happy to answer your queries. Just give us a call at any time. 

 Following the emergence of Covid-19 in 2020, we here at J Lawrence & Sons have had to adapt our processes. Due to certain restrictions that have been implemented and altered over the course of the last year and a half, we have had to do things slightly differently. Rest assured, though, that we are not closing our doors and we are here to help in any way possible. 

 The pandemic has added stress to families trying to organise funerals to honour their loved ones, due to the constantly changing rules. By coming to our funeral home, you can trust our team to assist with the arrangements and make the process as easy as possible for you. Even if there are Covid 19 restrictions, we will still be able to arrange a service that is fitting for your loved one. 

Funeral Services

As mentioned, there are many aspects of a funeral that need to be considered during the planning process. One of those is the choice of coffin or casket, and we can help with this decision. We have many options available, all of which are constructed using the finest materials. From traditional to modern designs, we can provide you with a coffin or casket that is suitable for your funeral in Portswood. 

 It is important to highlight the differences between coffins and caskets. A coffin is tapered at the head and foot, with wide shoulders, while a casket is a rectangular shape. We have models made from solid wood and veneer, giving you plenty of options so that you find the most suitable one. 

 As well as creating a service that is fitting for your loved one, you will also want to consider the types of flowers you would like to use. This can be a very personal decision as the family may want a certain type of flower that the deceased loved. There are obviously no strict rules on the kind of flowers one can arrange at a funeral, but the most popular tend to be lilies, orchids, carnations, roses, and chrysanthemums. 

 It is up to you how they are displayed. We can present them in wreaths, baskets, standing sprays, or casket sprays, which are usually used for closed casket funerals. These sprays consist of several types of flowers and greens, and half-casket sprays are generally used for open casket funerals. Our team would be happy to sit down with you and discuss your options before deciding on the flower arrangement you would like. 

 If you already have a florist in mind – perhaps your loved one frequently bought flowers from there – we are happy for you to choose them. We only stipulate that the arrangement be delivered to us at least 2 hours before the service to ensure that they are displayed correctly for the service. If you have any questions regarding our flower arrangement service, then please do get in touch. 

 As well as all that we have already mentioned, our team can also arrange memorial services in Portswood. This particular is similar to the constructs of a funeral except the body of the deceased is not present. A memorial service gives family and friends an opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of a loved one. Many opt to do this on a yearly basis, but there is no rule on when to have a memorial service. 

 If you are interested in setting one up, then our team are more than happy to help. We can make all the arrangements for you to help celebrate the life of your loved one. We will arrange a consultation in which we will discuss what requirements you need and features you would like present for the service. 

Contact Us for Funerals in Portswood 

If you have an idea in mind of how you want to say goodbye to your loved one, then our funeral directors in Portswood are more than happy to help. We will arrange every aspect for you, allowing you time to grieve and not have to deal with the hassle of arranging a funeral. Every element is taken into consideration and we vow to arrange a unique funeral that meets every requirement you have. 

 To discuss funeral plans or pre-paid plans with our friendly team, give us a call today on 023 8055 4801. You can also send an email to jlawrenceundertakers@btconnect.com or get in touch via our online contact form.