Tester & Jones latest blogs

Our Bereavement Group (the BGs) had a fascinating day out recently to Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes. In addition to finding out about the incredible achievements of our World War Two codebreakers, they also enjoyed some spring weather. Members of Crowborough Rotary also joined our BGs on the trip. Being part of the BGs gives our members the opportunity for not only friendship and support but getting out and about - on day trips like this or perhaps to the theatre. It's one

If one of our families opts for a funeral service away from a religious building – typically in a local cemetery, crematorium or other space – then they will often decide to use a celebrant to lead the proceedings. Here at Tester & Jones, we are proud to offer families a wide selection of local celebrants. Sometimes we might suggest one we think might be appropriate – perhaps they have a similar cultural background, speak another language or might share a similar outlook or

We are thrilled to be taking a stand at the Crowborough Business Expo 2026 on Tuesday 21 April (10.00am to 2.00pm) at Crowborough Community Centre. Organised by Crowborough and District Chamber of Commerce, the event promises to bring together the best businesses in our town. We will be ready to tell you more about the support we've been providing families for the past 20 years, as well as sharing about what makes us special, including our bereavement group (the BGs). We'll a

At Tester & Jones Funeral Directors, we understand how difficult it can be when a loved one dies away from home. Whether the death occurs abroad or in the UK, the practicalities of bringing someone home can feel overwhelming. Over the years, we have supported families to bring their loved one ‘home’. This can include bringing a loved one back to Crowborough, if they have perhaps died unexpectedly while away on holiday or perhaps supporting a family to take their family mem

Here at Tester & Jones, we pride ourselves on supporting our families to create a funeral service that truly reflects their loved one. This isn’t just in the type of service itself but also in the way they are transported there. While many of our families opt to use our own traditional hearse, we can offer a variety of options or help people to create their own. Over the years, we’ve had local farming families use their own vehicles – such as a steamroller or tractor to tra

The children’s bereavement charity, Jigsaw South East, received a donation of £10,000 from Wealden Crematorium at the end of last year, that came via the Metals Recycling Scheme, which is operated across the country by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM). Here at Tester & Jones, this is something we talk to our families about and seek their approval for. Freddie St. George MBE, Grants & Business Partnerships Manager at Jigsaw South East visited Weald

Louise has expanded her role of funeral arranger into also conducting funerals at Tester & Jones Funeral Services. Someone who is conducting a funeral has a similar role, in many ways, to the conductor of an orchestra; it is that person on the day who watches over the whole event and from whom everyone else takes their lead. “It’s a privilege to get to know families as I help them to plan a funeral service and, in my new role, it’s good to then be by their side throughout t

National Funeral Planning Week is coming up, from 23 February to 2 March 2026. This week is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of discussing funeral wishes and ensuring that families are prepared for the future. Join us as we share stories to make funeral planning easier and more thoughtful. Mark your calendars and let's start the conversation about planning ahead for peace of mind.

We are proud to, once again, be sponsoring one of the concerts at the Mayfield Festival of Music and the Arts. This biennial event takes place this year from Sunday 26 April to Sunday 10 May and will feature dance music, gospel, film, choral music, chamber music, symphonic music and, for the first time in the history of the Festival, opera. Mayfield Festival was originally founded in 1970 by Kenneth Pont, the then director of music at St Dunstan’s Parish Church. Over the year

In the UK, around 78% of funerals involve a cremation, which then leaves our families the decision of what to do with their loved one’s ashes. However, there’s no immediate haste to make a decision. You are welcome to take the ashes home with you for as long as you want, before making plans, or we can keep them securely at our premises. If you do take the ashes home, you could simply keep them in a casket or perhaps place them in your garden. If you do decide to ‘bury’ the

Join Glenys and the rest of the team at Crowborough Rotary for a energetic fundraising Barn Dance on Friday 27 February at Crowborough Community Centre. Popular ceilidh band, Tight Squeeze and caller, Charlotte Oliver, are guaranteed to get you up and dancing. Tickets are £17.50, which includes a light supper. There will also be a bar and a raffle. Click here to find out more.

Our local cemetery, Summersales in London Road, has been looking very beautiful recently in the snow. The grounds are open to visitors daily, currently between 09.00 and 15.30 and there’s plenty of parking on site. Since Summersales opened in May last year, we have supported a number of our families with burials and services there. If you are interested in finding out more, please do call our team on: 01892 611811 or just pop in.

January is 'Celebration of Life Month', so why not use this time to open up a conversation with your loved ones about your funeral choices and plans and ask them about theirs too? If you've got any questions at all, do feel free to give us a call: 01892 611811 or just drop in.

Over the Christmas and New Year period, you'll be able to speak directly to one of our team 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 01892 611811. If you need to see us in person at our office in London Road, Crowborough, here are our festive opening hours: Wednesday 24 December: We close at 12 midday. Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December: Our office is shut. Monday 29, Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 December: We close at 12 midday. Thursday 1 January: Our office is shut. Friday 2 Janua

Here at Tester & Jones Funeral Services, we know some people welcome the peace of mind of having a pre-paid funeral plan in place, to reduce worry and stress for their loved ones. We’re therefore pleased to share that we are now an Appointed Representative to sell Golden Charter Funeral Plans directly to you, your family and friends. This means we can now offer funeral plans directly, making it easier than ever to plan ahead with someone you know and trust. With over 35 y

When it comes to organising a funeral, each service we arrange is individual and specifically tailored to that particular person. Over the past 20 years, we have fulfilled many requests and, if we can’t help ourselves, we usually know somebody who can. For instance, we supported a family with Greek heritage recently and introduced them to a celebrant with a similar background. It meant that the service was tailored in a very special way. We have established good relationshi

Here at Tester & Jones Funeral Services, we are proud that more than £62,870 has been raised for charities and good causes during 2025, via our 'donations and tributes' page, managed by MuchLoved.

Team Tester & Jones had another busy day on Sunday 14 December. Jo very much enjoyed the Carol Service at St Michael and All Angels Jarvis Brook this afternoon - which was another opportunity to admire the stunning Christmas Tree Festival. Our T&J tree is still looking gorgeous and will remain in the church until January. Rev Judith Wilkinson revealed that the Festival had raised £1,100 over the weekend. The winning tree was decorated by Jarvis Brook School in its first year

We are so lucky to have an amazing team here at Tester & Jones Funeral Services and we enjoyed being together to celebrate Christmas. Our festive team afternoon was made extra special with a performance by Ceiron Faux (aka Not King Cole). At the end of his brilliant set, he was joined by our very own Louise.

The St Michael and All Angels Jarvis Brook Festival of Christmas Trees was officially opened by Crowborough's Mayor, Councillor Natalie Whittle, on the morning of Friday 12 December. As usual, it is absolutely magical. The Festival is open until 6.00pm on Friday 12 and from 10.00am to 6.00pm on Saturday 13. There's then another opportunity to see the Christmas trees, if you attend the Carol Service at 3.00pm on Sunday 14 December. After you've enjoyed the Festival, there are