Preparing for the Funeral

When will the funeral take place?

  • It would usually take place about seven to ten working days after making the funeral arrangements.
  • Remember that the funeral has to be arranged with the minister or celebrant, Church and the Cemetery or Crematorium.
  • We will sit down with you and give you all the necessary options.
  • We will tell you the earliest possible date that the funeral can take place.
  • The choice is yours whether the earliest date is convenient or you would prefer to delay it for the family’s convenience.
  • You may wish to avoid birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, examinations or other family occasions.

Are there any special instructions?

  • You may have recently talked to the person who has died about special requests.
  • There may be specific requests in their Will which is probably held by a solicitor or bank.
  • Perhaps a pre-paid funeral plan has been purchased in which case you'll know some of their wishes.
  • Sometimes you may have to make the decision yourself.

Burial or Cremation?

Burial

  • A burial is often more expensive than a cremation.
  • If a burial is chosen:  Which Cemetery or Churchyard is preferred?
  • Will it be a new grave?
  • These are usually opened to allow space for two people, sometimes three.
  • Is there an existing family grave to be re-opened? We will need details of the last interment so that we can locate the grave.

Cremation

  • A cremation is often less expensive than a burial.
  • If a cremation is chosen: Which crematorium is preferred?

There are two in Plymouth, Efford and Weston Mill, also locally available are Bodmin, Torquay, Exeter, East Devon and Truro.

Can I choose a memorial for the grave?

Different cemeteries have different regulations on which we will be pleased to advise.

 

What other acts of remembrance can I do after a cremation?

  • There are many options usually provided by the crematorium, including Books of Remembrance, rose bushes and commemorative plaques.
  • What will I do with the cremated remains (ashes) afterwards?
  • There are two traditional alternatives: They can either be scattered or buried. It is then a question of where.
  • We offer a wide range of keepsakes for cremated remains, which can be found by selecting the Useful Links section of our website. These include urns, smaller keepsakes and jewellery, all of which allow a small portion of the cremated remains to be placed inside.
  • Cremated remains can also be placed into jewellery (Ashes into Glass), a firework, a tattoo or even sent into space.
  • We would be pleased to discuss alternative options with you.

Burial of cremated remains.

  • If they are buried, it may be in an existing family grave where there is no room for a further burial.
  • Or in your local churchyard which may be closed for full burials.
  • You may decide to purchase a new cremated remains plot at the crematorium and have a memorial  tablet with an inscription so that you have somewhere to visit afterwards.
  • They could be buried at sea, which we can arrange, or by the Royal Navy if there are Naval connections.
  • Or you may decide to take them and bury them in your own garden.

Scattering of cremated remains.

  • If they are scattered, it may be on an existing family grave in a cemetery.
  • In the garden of remembrance at the crematorium.
  • Scattered at sea, by yourself or with the help of a friend who has a boat.
  • Or scattered in a favourite place, perhaps your own garden with a seat or favourite plant sited for remembrance.

What about the Ashes?

If any of the above is confusing or not appropriate please do not rush into a wrong decision.  We will always be pleased to hold the cremated remains at our premises, for up to 12 months following the funeral, to allow you the time to think about and settle on the right decision. We have a wide variety of suitable containers available for you to choose from.

 

Walter C Parson

The Old Police Station, Callington

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  • Client parking available
  • Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement rooms
  • Chapel of rest & Preparation facilities

The Old Police Station
1 Saltash Road,
Callington,
Cornwall,
PL17 7BB

Office Opening Hours
Mon – Fri, 10.00am – 4.00pm

Tel 01579 382 000 (24 Hr Number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

The Firs, Crownhill, Plymouth

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  • Client parking available
  • Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement rooms
  • Chapel of rest & Preparation facilities

The Firs, 702 Budshead Road,
Crownhill,
Plymouth,
Devon,
PL6 5DY

Office Opening Hours
Mon-Fri, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

Tel 01752 76 76 76 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Decimus, Exeter

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  • Parking close by & Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities

Decimus,
206 Topsham Road,
Exeter,
Devon,
EX2 6AA

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm

Tel 01392 43 33 33 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Riverside, Ivybridge

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception &  24 Hour service
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

Riverside,
9 Costly Street,
Ivybridge,
Devon,
PL21 0DB

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm

Tel 01752 69 09 09 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Kings House, Newton Abbot

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception & Disabled access
  • Arrangement rooms & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

Kings House,
King Street,
Newton Abbot,
Devon,
TQ12 2LG

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01626 33 44 44 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

St Mary’s View, Plympton, Plymouth

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  • Easy parking close by
  • Reception & Disabled access
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

St Mary’s View, 2 Market Road,
Plympton,
Plymouth,
Devon,
PL7 1QW

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 343 848 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Barton, Plymstock, Plymouth

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  • 3 hours free parking in the Broadway Car Park (enter registration number at parking machine)
  • Disabled access
  • Reception & administration office
  • Arrangement rooms
  • Chapel of rest & preparation facilities

Entrance via the Broadway Car Park

Barton, Horn Lane,
Plymstock,
Plymouth,
Devon, PL9 9BR

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 40 40 42 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Pengelly Funeral Service, Saltash

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  • Parking close by & Disabled access
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities

 

Pengelly Funeral Service
139, Fore Street,
Saltash,
Cornwall,
PL12 6AB

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 84 88 38 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Salisbury House, St Judes, Plymouth

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  • On street parking & Reception
  • Arrangement rooms & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities
  • Administration office

Salisbury House, 11 Tothill Avenue,
St Judes,
Plymouth,
Devon,
PL4 8PJ

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Tel 01752 66 54 38 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

The Stables, Tavistock

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception & Administration office
  • Arrangement rooms & Chapel of rest
  • Preparation facilities

The Stables,
32 West Street,
Tavistock,
Devon,
PL19 8JY

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm

Tel 01822 617 300 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Pidgen & Son Funeral Service, Torpoint

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  • Client parking available
  • Reception & Disabled access
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities

Pidgen & Son Funeral Service
4, Trevol Business Park
Torpoint,
Cornwall,
PL11 2TB

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm

Tel 01752 812 479 (24 Hr number)

 
 

Walter C Parson

Torquay, Babbacombe Road

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  • Client parking available
  • Arrangement room & Chapel of rest
  • Administration office
  • Preparation facilities
  • Reception

147 Babbacombe Road,
Torquay,
Devon,
TQ1 3SU

Office Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm

Tel 01803 32 94 94 (24 Hr number)