Inspiration

Let us inspire you

There are now so many unique and special ways to celebrate the life of a loved one. If you haven’t yet decided what sort of service you would like, take a look at these ideas and speak to us at Hemming & Peace Funeral Services to talk them through, or anything else you might want to discuss, and we’ll see if we can make it happen for you. Let us support, guide and inspire you to create a funeral you never thought was possible.

Alternative and unusual venues

Funerals should always be a celebration of life so consider holding a celebratory event at a hotel or farmyard barn, woodland retreat, a football stadium, club, on a boat, race track, even in the pub. There are now many uplifting venues available for celebratory services, we’d be delighted to talk through all the options with you and help find a suitable venue.

Twilight services

A personalised picture coffin

Truly reflect the character of the person whose funeral you’re arranging with a personalised picture coffin. You can choose your own photos or we can help you find something – anything from sports and hobbies to particular flowers or animals. 

A Pathway Coffin which is a natural wood, biodegradable coffin allows for a truly unique, collaborative send-off where a number of people can design their own section, or each panel marking a different part of the life lost. You can then choose a frame colour and have the panels printed in spectacular printed padded fabric giving your coffin a comforting tactile finish. You can even choose lid options – blackboard for chalk inscriptions, whiteboard for permanent marker inscriptions or a lid covered in a full picture.

A different time and atmosphere

Funeral memorial services don’t just have to take place in ‘office hours’ or on the same day as a cremation or burial. If it suits you and your guests better, or will allow you access to certain venues which may be occupied during the day, have you thought about early evenings, nighttime ‘twilight’ and weekend memorial services?

An evening memorial service can be as informal or formal as you wish, by using candles and fairy lights you can create a soft warm ambience at your chosen venue and you could also enjoy outdoor spaces in the summer months with fireworks, outside lighting, fire burners and lanterns.

Twilight services

A unique way to scatter ashes

Along with a selection of caskets and decorative urns specifically designed for keeping at home, we have pieces especially for the garden along with urns made from environmentally friendly materials including paper, sand and salt for water burials. You can also now incorporate your loved one’s ashes into a whole array of wonderful events and items. These include fireworks, launching into near-space, jewellery, diamond rings and cuddlestones as part of our keepsake options. These come in a variety of styles and designs and each can hold a small amount of your loved one’s ashes and are ideal for sharing and displaying.

 

Hearse alternatives

Think about the type of vehicle that you would like to accompany or to take your loved one on their final journey through your home town, to the service or committal, you can have something in addition or instead of a traditional hearse.  We can help organise alternative vehicles including things like a tractor, camper van, motorcycle hearse, canal boat, vintage lorry and horse-drawn hearse amongst others. So if would like a beautiful horse-drawn hearse, a Harley or something a bit different which reflects a passion, a hobby or something about the life of your loved one then do let us know and we will do our best to find a suitable vehicle.

 

Dove or Balloon Releases

A beautiful way to say goodbye and symbolise the freeing of the spirit of their loved one, ascending to the heavens is through the release of doves, bio-degradable balloons or a firework display.
Everyone can get involved with this lovely demonstration of your final farewells.

 

For those who can’t be there

Absent friends and family can now watch the service live on the internet via live streaming. This means that those who aren’t able to attend in person can still pay their respects. There are many crematoriums that offer this service. The service could be videoed to be kept and shared as a recording or you could show a video of scrolling stories along with photos, music or record messages, from a projector. We can help find providers for these types of services.

Informal Funerals

You might feel that a less traditional religious or non-religious service would better reflect your loved one’s wishes. Rather than limousines for a cortege or family transportation we could hire an SUV, people carrier, a coach or minibus and rather than the formal top hats and tails, the Funeral Director and pall bearers could wear a more casual attire such as blue herringbone suits, a different colour tie or a type of suit or costume that may fit your theme or guests style. You might also like to encourage guests to wear bright colours or a particular theme to make the whole occasion feel less formal and more celebratory. We can discuss any thoughts you may have and help create a unique funeral for your loved one.

 

Informal Funerals

Themed Funerals

Why not pick a theme for your funeral that best reflects your loved one. Themes include football, superheros, the army, fairy tales, motorcycles, country, golf, the circus etc with all elements being personalised. The Funeral Director and bearers can even dress up to be a part of the theme for you.

Themed Funerals

Personal Coffin Sprays

Flower arrangements for the coffin can take various forms to reflect the personality of your loved one. If you would like something in the shape of a football, a club logo, a name or made from fruit, vegetables, silk or dry arrangements let us know and we can help arrange this for you.

Floral Tributes

Flowers can add a bright and warm touch and reflect the love felt by those attending.

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Our pricing

Funeral prices vary depending on the type of ceremony you would like for your loved one. There are many options to choose from to make it unique and special.

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Planning ahead?

It is now really easy to plan ahead, making a huge difference by easing the burden on your family when the time comes, so they can focus on the arrangements.

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Need advice?

Hemming & Peace Funeral Services can assist you in every step of the funeral so please don’t hesitate to ask us about any aspects or queries you may have.

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Latest Reviews

Google

This is the second time we have used H&P and all I can say is what wonderful service they gave us. The meetings we had before the ceremony and the information we received was second to none. It felt like they held our hands and…

STEWBIE

Google

Jenny and the team at Hemming and Peace, Stratford on Avon showed compassion and thoughtfulness throughout the process of organising a funeral and cremation. Every detail was covered and everything ran smoothly on both days. Jenny even ensured the staff has matching ties with our…

Miranda Harris

Google

Trace, Wendy, and others at Hemming & Peace Henley (and Stratford) did a fantastic job caring for my mam. They were empathetic, thoughtful, and gentle in their approach at a very difficult time. Nothing was too much trouble and they were generous with their time,…

Nikki Greenway

Google

I recently had the sad duty of organising my aunt's funeral. I contacted Hemming and Peace and asked them to handle the arrangements. They were first class from start to finish. Caring, thoughtful, understanding and highly professional. I have no hesitation in recommending Hemming and…

Graham Milton

Google

Just had Hemming & peace arranged a attended funeral for my late pass father. Would like to express our gratitude once again to Jenny, Nigel and Kevin who provided professional, attentive and flawless service for us, never feel annoyed despite us being directionless, kept asking…

陳逸俊

Google

A very caring and compassionate team who went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we wanted for Dads funeral. I would highly recommend them to make a difficult time as pleasant as it can be.

Sally Coombs

Google

Hemming and Peace arranged our mum’s funeral recently and we would recommend them without reservation. The whole firm, from Jenny in the office, to Nigel and his team on the day, displayed the utmost patience, compassion and respect. They all ensured our mum had the…

Helen Kirk

Google

Hemming and Peace were quite fantastic from the beginning to the end of a funeral that was full of uncertainty and far from simple to arrange. Nigel, Trace and Chris were an absolute delight to deal with, warm and friendly, they could not have been…

Charles Le Brun

Google

The help and support I received when I arranged my Dad’s funeral was exceptional. Nigel Peace and his team took us through the often difficult process with such honest professionalism and genuine care. Nigel lead the service as our celebrant and it was delivered with…

Ann Marsh

Google

The whole team at Hemming and Peace provided an exemplary service regarding the funeral of my father in June 2023. We were kept fully informed of each stage of the process and they were always there if we needed a chat. I cannot recommend them…

Paul Shackleton

Thinking about a Funeral Plan?

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