Introducing Attended Direct Cremations

As your trusted SAIF-approved, locally-owned funeral director, we feel it is important you are aware of exactly what a Direct Cremation entails. A standalone Direct Cremation, booked through a national company, has no service for family or friends at all. It is quite simply a removal of your loved one, followed by the return of the cremated remains some weeks later. It is also often the case that your loved is transported to a central cremation hub far from home.

But, here at Tester & Jones, we do things differently. You can still book a Direct Cremation with us (we call it an Unattended Direct Cremation) and this will be a simple cremation, without a traditional funeral service or ceremony. But – rather than talking to a call centre or filling-in a form online – you talk to our team, who arrange the cremation on your behalf, on a date chosen by us. Once the booking has been confirmed, we will let you know the date on which the cremation will take place.

If you feel this form of Direct Cremation is for you, then please be assured that your loved one will remain in our care in Crowborough throughout. We will support you from your very first call, through to the day of cremation, and beyond.

However, here at Tester & Jones, we also offer an Attended Direct Cremation. This involves a short, attended service before the cremation takes place. The service lasts for 15 minutes and you can choose the date and time. Your loved one will arrive in a ceremonial hearse, accompanied by a Funeral Director, who will be there to guide and support you.

How you use these 15 minutes is up to you. Words and memories can be shared, music can be played and a visual slideshow may be included, if you wish. Or, you may simply wish to sit together and remember you loved one.

Whether you choose one of our Direct Cremation options or a more traditional service, every family we have the privilege of caring for will be treated with the same courtesy and respect as if we were caring for a member of our own family.

With both Unattended and Attended Direct Cremations, our services include:

Bringing your loved one into our care

·       Collection of your loved one by Tester & Jones and transfer into our care.

·       Care of your loved one at our premises until the day of the cremation.

Guidance and arrangements

·       Assistance with registering the death.

·       Completion of all statutory cremation forms.

·       Provision of a simple coffin with nameplate.

·       Time with your loved one in our Chapel of Rest.

On the day of the cremation and afterwards

·       Conveyance of your loved one to Wealden Crematorium on the day of the cremation.

·       Safe return of the ashes or scattering in the Garden of Remembrance at the crematorium.

We are a truly independent funeral service, here for you whenever you need us. Our telephone is answered personally, 24 hours a day.

If you would like to call us, there is no obligation to use our services. We will be happy to talk things through, offer guidance and explain how we may be able to help should some of the practical burden. Pop into our office in London Road, Crowborough, or call: 01892 611811.