Dandelion Farewells

15/09/2025

Recent weekends away visiting our own families, but teased and enticed by the ‘local’ Crematiorium Open Days!!

North Wiltshire Crematorium, Swindon alongside Mead Family Funerals and Heart in their Hand Project;
Redditch Crematorium, meeting again with A Natural Undertaking
~ here’s their hook:
“Since we started 11 years ago, we’ve encouraged people to ask questions, visit cemeteries and crematoria and just make sure they know their facts and choices when it comes to dying, death and funerals.
So, we really like it when crematoria open their doors and welcome people in to do just that!”
~ a big “HEAR, HEAR! WE AGREE!” from Dandelion Farewells.

“Now, you might think it’s the weirdest day out, but we’re pretty confident that once there, you’ll be fascinated by the conversation and how they work, and you’ll wonder why you never thought to ask the questions before…
Want to know what happens when the coffin disappears? How does the crematorium make sure it’s only your ashes your family receives? How hot are the cremators? What happens to your fillings?”

Every day’s a school day, right?
~ project: to ask Worthing Crematorium to host a community day… interested? … watch this space…

12/09/2025

Congratulations to our colleagues at Freeman Brothers Funeral Directors (Horsham, Billingshurst, Crawley, Hassocks) ~ marking 170 years of their business.

Independent funeral directors are key for choice and local care, amid the increasing challenges we face from large national corporate chains (serving shareholders) and online companies (logistics teams, not funeral directors).
[*these are our opinions, not specifically those of Freeman Brothers]

We encourage you to ‘shop around’ ~ find the people that represent your ethos and feel right for you. Ask the questions that are important to you. We will always be completely honest and transparent providing information you request.
Get in touch with us if you would like a copy of the excellent resource provided by The Good Funeral Guide ~ ‘Choosing a funeral director - some useful questions’.

06/09/2025

Highlighting two great opportunities this month to find out more about funeral options ~ talk about ‘the elephant in the room’ & start to ‘line up your ducks’!

Our colleagues at Freeman Brothers are marking 170yrs of providing funeral care in Horsham, a remarkable achievement for an independent company in our profession. On Wednesday 10th (this coming week) they are hosting an event at Hills Cemetery Chapel (Horsham), including a Q&A with funeral professionals (very pleased to see that Beth Kirkham Ceremonies is involved); also, beautiful horse drawn carriage with Sonny Hillier Horse Drawn Carriages.

Then, on Tuesday 23rd: Dandelion Farewells’ Open Day at our premises in Wisborough Green. We warmly invite you to pop over, marking this special phase of our growth in our 10th anniversary year ~ new building refurbished and new colleagues in our team ~ exceptional facilities, resources and people available to support individual funeral care in our local town and villages. An opportunity for everyone to ask any questions, share ideas and develop connections.

… something for everyone.

05/09/2025

Clare & Judith have both engaged with this workshop and it is incredibly moving, connected and meaningful.
Dandelion Farewells ~ going deeper with our understanding of dying, death & bereavement.
Highly recommend Katie Costello - Soul Midwife and Funeral Celebrant ~ Dying for a Cuppa workshop & podcast series.

Today’s Dying for a Cuppa masterclass has left me feeling so grateful with my cup so full. Every time I run this session, I’m blown away by the honesty, the courage, and the trust people bring with them.

It’s never just about death education. It’s about connection, conversation, and those beautiful moments of support that ripple out from the group. We share, we listen, we laugh, and we hold space for the experiences that shape us — past, present, and future. The groups have all been unique with each person sharing stories, and that makes for such a rich learning environment as well as genuine connections and growth.

Every session reminds me why I love this work (not that I ever really forget) It shifts perspectives, opens hearts, and helps us approach death and dying with more compassion, understanding, inspiration and even hope 💫

The next sessions are coming up soon — September (online although fully booked) October (online - spaces available) and November (in person - last 2 spaces left). If you’d like to join, drop me your email and I’ll share all the details.

Here’s to more cups of tea, slices of cake, more connection, and more brave conversations. And here’s to all of us getting better at doing death and dying with more awareness and less fear ❤️

31/08/2025

To the curious, the cheerleader, the community engager, the client interested for the future, our partners in care provider organisations, our colleagues in the funeral professions ~ ALL are welcome to our Open Day on Tuesday 23rd September, as we celebrate the completion of our new offices connected to our original premises: Crown View meets Church View!
Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested ~ an opportunity to meet our team (including new colleagues), walk through the rooms and ask any questions ~ or just enjoy coffee and cake!

15/08/2025

We’ve had some great feedback this week from people who have dipped-into our film library to find out more about Dandelion Farewells (also the funeral options that can be offered by local independent companies in the areas of the country in which they are planning a funeral).
We launched this resource in January this year to mark 10yrs of our professional care within local communities ~ see link below.
Please take a look over the weekend ~ share with your friends & network (repost this post) ~ be informed and prepared.

Any questions? ~ send a message or give us a call (01403 701001)

Thank Silvertip Films and Whistlestop Arts for helping us to curate this helpful resource.

12/08/2025

On a road trip to Somerset (Bridgewater) today, with our new team member Sarah ~ visiting one of our coffin suppliers ~ continuing opportunities to familiarise with our suppliers and network.
These experiences are really key to ensure we each have good knowledge of the companies we connect with and can therefore share proficient information and advice.
Thank you Lucas, Jane & Ellen for your time, tour & conversation.

11/08/2025

Now THIS will be a brilliant event!
We’re attending ~ come along and find out more ~ will be business/life changing & inspiring.

IT'S THE LAST DAY to take advantage of our Early Bird offer and book your place to hear Alex Pearson from present a special 3 hour extended talk on low carbon working and living. This will be interactive and will help businesses to start their own carbon reduction plan! Wednesday 10th September 9.30am at The Rock in Horsham.

Book via our Eventbrite link below before the end of today (11th August) to take advantage of our Early Bird discounted ticket price!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/conscious-climate-choices-low-carbon-working-and-living-tickets-1477549423099?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/08/2025

Giving a 60sec presentation every Friday morning at BNI Winners Horsham West Sussex networking breakfast meeting ~ my theme for today: ‘the elephant in the room’…
Talking about funerals is mostly avoided, but so important… let’s get chatting!
As a trusted, local funeral director we are comfortable to share information, listen to your thoughts / ideas / concerns, think about what really matters for you.
The networking gem of connecting with each other: ‘know ~ like ~ trust’ 👍 is so very true for linking with the funeral director who you are confident will serve your best interests and wishes.
We invite you to get in touch with any questions or requests for support you have.

26/07/2025

‘End of Life Doula’ ~ ‘Soul Midwife’
The terminology of these roles may be familiar for care professionals, but for others reading this, the words are unusual; or perhaps the individual words link in some way to maternity services (that’s quite intentional ~ supporting both ends of life).
We have the privilege of knowing many wonderful people in these roles, locally and across the country.
Take a moment to read these slides which explain the role ~ valuable information for you and those you know.
Please get in touch if you would appreciate further signposting to organisations and individuals.

25/07/2025

An early start this morning for a breakfast meeting ~ sharing with other care professionals an insight into the role of the funeral director and themes to think about when planning a funeral ~ lining-up your ducks!
Great conversations, always feel inspired by meeting others, thank you for inviting me to present.
Shared excellent resources by The Good Funeral Guide CIC

The Brigitte Trust - Helping People Live Well Beyond Diagnosis
Woking & Sambeare Hospice
Clandon Wood
Simon Ferrar

19/06/2025

A time of reflection & appreciation today ~ visiting the Flower Festival in Horsham parish church.
Thank you Chrissy (Bud and Flower) for creating a stunning (foam free) display at the front door, sponsored by Dandelion Farewells ~ In the community, for the community