How to Say Thank You to a Funeral Director

Blogs & Articles Article How to Say Thank You to a Funeral Director
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Whilst going through the process of planning and attending a funeral, funeral directors are on hand to help organise, give advice and support you and your family through these times. After the funeral service, you may want to send your acknowledgements and gratitude to the undertakers that helped you through the process but you may be unsure of how to word it or what format you should say thank you.

Although it is a nice gesture to do so, you shouldn’t feel obliged to write a thank you note to your respective funeral home but if you do, we’ve created this guide to help you choose appropriate wording as well as other factors to consider when writing a thank you note.

Do you send a thank you note to a funeral home?

Some people have different ways of showing their appreciation so you shouldn’t feel pressured or obliged to send a thank you note or card to a funeral home. Funeral directors can be involved with the organisation of several funerals at any given time so they won’t take it to heart if you choose an alternative way of expressing your gratitude – this may be a face-to-face conversation after the conclusion of the funeral service.


How do you thank a funeral director for their service?

If you feel emotionally ready to send a thank you card to a funeral director but are struggling to find the right words, we’ve listed some steps to consider when thanking someone for their contribution. 


Beginning the thank you note

You may want to begin the thank you note with a simple greeting such as ‘Dear NAME’ and a sentence expressing your appreciation.


Middle section of the note

Writing to the funeral director from your heart is always the best way to thank a funeral home – they have been involved with your family during a very personal and emotional time and it is advisable to write on how you feel appropriate. It is acceptable to be more personal in the thank you note than you would typically be for a thank you note to a business or other service.

Indicate that you appreciate the funeral director and the staff of the funeral home for all of their help in preparing the arrangements for the funeral service and the burial or cremation. If there were specific special touches that helped you and/or family members deal with the death, mention those events – knowing what helped your family can help the funeral staff to better assist families in the future through their grieving process.


Finishing the thank you note

Ending the thank you note by stating that you were happy with the services that you received and that you would happily recommend the funeral home to other family members and friends when the need arises, will be one of the best ways to end a thank you note to a funeral director.

Finish the note with an additional thank you and your signature. If the note is from a family as a whole rather than a specific family member, it is reasonable to sign the note “The SURNAME Family.”


Examples of thank you notes to funeral directors

If you prefer to see examples of other thank you notes and testimonials, we have over 100 reviews on Trustpilot to read and gather alternative ways to express your gratitude.

Over 100 Testimonials and Reviews

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

We sincerly thank the staff and in particular Sarah and James at Freemantle's Titchfield for their understanding and kindness in organising and conducting the recent funeral of our son John. The whole process was guided with much empathy on such sad occasion.

Michael

I would like to thank all the staff at the Eastleigh branch of helping me through a very difficult time when my mother passed away recently. All the staff were so helpful, considerate and compassionate, Clair in the office was always helpful and kind and helped me through the whole process of arranging a funeral.

Robert

The whole family were very comforted by the idea that my late mother was at your beautiful funeral home in such lovely surroundings. We are highly praising of every aspect of the care and professional support of you all at A H Freemantle. It certainly has been a great comfort to have been treated with friendliness and understanding at such a difficult time. We very much appreciate how well you communicated with us at every step of the organisation of the funeral, making everything run smoothly. The Orders of Service were beautifully presented too. The funeral was exactly what we had hoped for; we have had lovely comments from those who attended on the day and those who were far away watching the Webcast. The guidance and support you have given throughout has been faultless, making a sad time better.

Marion

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

We found James and all the team at A H Freemantle so helpful as usual, they looked after Mum back in April and our requirements with such care and understanding, just as they did for Dad in 2015. We would highly recommend them, as the help they give at a time of sadness is of great importance to the bereaved. Thank you.

Kevin

A H Freemantle were recommended to us after the death of our 6 year old son. They were fantastic, very supportive and no question was left unanswered or batted away. They were completely flexible on how we wanted to do things, even going as far as customising the clothes and accessories they wore on the day of the funeral at our request. The service itself was beautifully managed and the services provided by them were top class. If you are looking for a sympathetic, efficient and caring funeral director, we can very much recommend them.

Ian

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

Tim

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

We sincerely thank the staff and in particular Sarah and James at Freemantle's Titchfield for their understanding and kindness in organising and conducting the recent funeral of our son John. The whole process was guided with much empathy on such sad occasion.

Michael

Sarah really put our family at ease and was very helpful. Made a very difficult thing to do a lot easier. Would highly recommend their services.

Verity

Exemplary and highly professional service throughout, with every effort made to accommodate the wishes of the family. Would highly recommend to anyone faced with having to arrange a funeral.

Robert

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

Recently I was sadly in need of the services of A.H.Freemantle. I cannot find words to thank James and his staff enough. They guided and comforted me through the whole sad process. James's quiet steady professionalism both before, and during the ceremony made a dreadful experience much much easier to endure..highly recommended to anyone facing this inevitable ordeal. Thank you all.

Robert

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

We as a family would like to thank James and everyone at Freemantle’s Titchfield for all their help and guidance, James you made us feel so relaxed and calm, the day went without a hitch, we laughed we cried, our mum would of approved of everything, also a very big thank you to Martin the celebrant, you were all amazing thank you so much.

Sarah

From start to finish, Jane, Elizabeth and Dawn were very kind and respectful, and on the day of the funeral, James made everything very easy. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this Company.

Karen

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

I’ve never lost a parent and didn’t have a clue what I should be doing - James made us feel very relaxed, made sure that our mum would be well looked after with him which gave us comfort. The celebrant he chose was absolutely brilliant and really made the whole experience extremely personal to us. James even sourced out a Leopard print coffin for us - the first in 22 years apparently! Would really recommend

Kerris

James was kind, thoughtful and respectful. He gently guided us through the entire process with patience. This entire experience was a first for us and at one of the saddest and most traumatic times we felt as supported as possible. We would 100% recommend James and his team for the specialised and thoughtful work they do.

Natascha

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

Freemantles handled the funeral for my son - firstly they had to collect him from Leicester where his post mortem took place. From the start they were so caring and attentive to our distress as it was a sudden death. Kate the lady we dealt with was absolutely wonderful. She dealt with every detail with so much sympathy and feeling. The Celebrant they appointed was also terrific and dealt with the ceremony exactly as we wanted. If you find yourself losing a loved one I would highly recommend Freemantles. They totally helped make a nightmare of losing your child bearable.

Helen

My family and I were treated with respect and sensitivity from the moment I walked in the office. Dawn was incredibly helpful and kind. Jane was very thorough and patient with us. I can’t praise Terry enough, he made me feel so at ease during a difficult time and is such a warm and lovely person. Huge thanks to A H Freemantle for giving my husband the send off he deserved and for looking after us in our time of grief, I couldn’t be more grateful.

Sophie

Excellent personable service. Caring and sensitive - Sarah always seemed to be available no matter what time. The attention to detail and everything was brilliant. We all felt very happy with the choice that we had made for our Mum's funeral and burial that we did not hesitate to use again for our Dad. Our Mum and Dad had such lovely "send offs" managed so well by A.H. Freemantles.

Susan

James handled the funerals of both my mother and father, and in both cases everything went very smoothly and was done with great dignity. We could not have asked for more.

Peter

Jane and her colleagues went above and beyond to support and guide my family and I through the most traumatic time. From the moment of instruction to the service itself, I received true professionalism coupled with empathy. Every detail was discussed, every request was met, with kindness and thought. Thank you.

Nicky

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

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

All I can say is that all the staff at the Titchfield branch have been excellent and helped myself and my sons to ensure my wife Caroline had a wonderful send off. Many thanks to all at Freemantle's in Titchfield.

Chris

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

Connie