Burial or Cremation

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Cremation Funerals

Some people prefer to have the entire funeral service conducted at the crematorium, while others would rather have a service elsewhere either before or after the cremation.

We can work with you to design a funeral service that best suits your needs and wishes, whatever they may be.

Cremation Funerals
Keepsake Urns

Crematoria in the local area

There are 4 crematoriums in this area, in Southampton, Hedge End, Portchester and Havant.

Funeral services that take place in a crematorium have to be a specific length. The exact length of time available to you depends on which crematorium you choose.

Services at Portchester Crematorium generally last for 30 minutes, but they occasionally have some 45 minute bookings available; please let us know if that is something in which you might be interested and we can look into it for you.

Services at Southampton CrematoriumWessex Vale Crematorium at Hedge End, and The Oaks Crematorium in Havant all last 45 minutes.

If you would like to have the entire funeral service at a crematorium you may also want to think about how many people you think will attend. For further information about the sizes of the chapels at the different crematoriums can be read here.

Ashes

Following the cremation, you will need to think about what you feel is the most appropriate resting place for the ashes. If you would like us to, we can collect the ashes from the crematorium for you.

It is possible to have your loved one’s ashes scattered in the grounds of the crematorium. Each of the crematoriums has a slightly different provision for this; please see the page for the crematorium in which you are interested for further information.

Some people, especially in this area, like to scatter the ashes at sea. Please talk to us if you feel that may be of interest. In these circumstances, we would recommend that you use a biodegradable paper urn, or pillow. When placed in water it will float briefly then sink to the bottom where it breaks down naturally over time. Please click here for further information about the Ashes Pillows.

Another option is to have the ashes interred in a churchyard or council run cemetery. In those circumstances we can supply you with an oak ashes casket, which we will fit with a brass name plate. This link will give you further information about the different urns available.

Should you wish to scatter the ashes, we can discuss the practical considerations involved. We also have a range of Scatter Tubes available.

Some families like to keep a small portion of the ashes, once the remainder has been scattered or interred. If you would like to know more about that, please ask us about the range of Keep Sake Urns which we can supply for that purpose.

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Burial Funeral

Burial Funerals

In the past the majority of funerals were based around a burial, with the burial itself taking place in a Churchyard or, more recently, a council run cemetery.

Burials tend to be more expensive than cremations, since there is the cost of the purchase of a grave as well as the cost of the digging of the plot. Some local church cemeteries and council cemeteries are now full, however there are still many which have space for new burials and we have listed them below.

Burial Funerals

Your family may have already purchased a grave for another family member. If this was dug to a double depth we can arrange for this to be ‘re-opened’ for you and can help you apply for a change of ownership of the grave should that be relevant. We can also remove, renew or update any memorial.

New graves are generally dug to a depth that allows for two people to be buried in a single grave, although in cemeteries run by Southampton Council, it is possible to request that graves be dug to a triple depth should that be required.

You may want to consider purchasing an additional plot if you would like other family members to be buried close by.

If you choose a funeral based around a burial, the funeral service itself will normally take place in a local church or cemetery chapel, before a committal by the graveside but there are alternatives if the service is to be non-religious. Please speak to us if you would like further information about other possibilities.

Whether the funeral is to be a cremation or a burial we can help you to select a suitable coffin.  We will discuss the choices available when we meet to discuss the arrangements.  This meeting can take place at our premises, where we have a room set aside for this purpose, or in your own home at a time to suit you. We also offer appointments during the evenings and at weekends.

Over 100 Testimonials and Reviews

I would like to thank both James and Jane for the courtesy and respect shown to me and my family. They appreciated the tragic circumstances and were able to guide us gently through the Church service and subsequent committal at Wessex. You were as a company stars that day, showing us the way.

Brian Stoker

James was incredibly understanding and dealt with a difficult situation with care and attention. Nothing was too much trouble.

Tim Quinlan

James and the team at A H Freemantle did the most fantastic job for us when my brother died suddenly and unexpectedly. They were very clear about the things I had to make a decision on - not there and then but in my own time - but they also completely took over and seamlessly managed all those other things that have to be booked and paid for. They also gave me great advice about how to handle the things I needed to handle. They contributed hugely to giving my brother the send off that he deserved and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend A H Freemantle to anyone else when that time comes and you need a funeral director.

Kevin Briscoe

James and the team really are who you need by your side when you are facing your most challenging times in life. I've been in need of the services of A H Freemantle twice in a year having lost both my mother and father. Honestly I couldn't recommend them enough, at such a challenging time they really did do everything to make it as bearable as possible. I can not recommend James and the team enough, they were truly incredible from start to finish.

Chris

Although my review is simplistic it comes from the heart. Without A H Freemantle's Park Gate & Titchfield offices I could never have got through what was and always will be my darkest hour. Thank you for looking after my beautiful mother, Gwen. Special thanks to Jane and Dawn. And thank you Jane for recommending the wonderful Rev. Boggust. My brothers, sister, and myself will always remember the kindness, respect, and compassion shown by all at A H Freemantle.

Eleanor Campbell-Loveday

James and his team were extremely kind, thoughtful ad professional. As a family we appreciated the help and advice that was given.

Connie

From my first phone call to the completion of the funeral the staff at A H Freemantle gave outstanding service. They were professional and compassionate, taking time to listen to our requests and discuss the options. They made a difficult time easier and I knew I could trust them absolutely with the arrangements.

PM

Having had experience with this company earlier in the year they were the natural choice when my wife died. Clair was absolutely brilliant from the initial enquiry and compassionately and clearly explained the whole process. Nothing was too much trouble and the whole range of options clearly laid out and explained. We really didn’t have to do anything ourselves. I would gladly recommend when the the time comes to anyone else.

Customer

Sarah's kindness, genuine warmth, understanding of the personal character of how people say goodbye to a loved one, and inclusive approach, together with her knowledge and professionalism made me feel 'held' throughout the process of organising and being at my mum's funeral. It made such a difference at a difficult time. Highly recommend this company to anyone.

Kes

Extremely kind & considerate. Very professional. I felt supported throughout a very difficult process. Jane was fantastic, sensitive and caring and made me feel that she truly understood and cared about us all.

Jill Spence

I can’t praise Claire at the Botley branch enough, who looked after my husband’s funeral. She was very professional, but more than that she was kind, caring, and nothing was too much trouble. Going above and beyond, which made this very difficult time so much more bearable for my family and I.

Nicola Abbott