The new branch on Burton Road, Littleover, joins the existing branch network of Macklin Street in Derby city centre, Allestree, Alvaston, Ashbourne, Borrowash, Chaddesden and Burton-on-Trent.

The branch, which was previously a retail unit and has been fully refurbished by Wathall’s, is fully accessible with additional disabled parking, an arranging room and chapel of rest for families to visit their loved ones.

There is also a dedicated area with samples of headstones and memorials which are designed, created and installed by Wathall’s sister company, Art Stone Memorials.

Helen Wathall MBE, who is the fifth generation of her family to head up the company, explained that the opening of the Littleover branch was the next chapter in Wathall’s long-standing commitment to serving local communities.

She said: “Over the generations, we have always been dedicated to providing local services to local communities and to support people at times of greatest need in a number of ways.

“I have wanted to open a branch in Littleover for sometime to better serve the local community here who have previously come to our other Derby branches.

“I was therefore delighted to be able to secure these premises which give us the space to provide comfortable and private rooms for families to pre-plan and arrange funerals as well as a chapel for families to be able to say their final goodbyes to a loved one.

“The Littleover branch will also enable families to peruse the new ranges of urns and keepsakes as well as discuss memorials and headstones which are designed, created and installed by our sister company Art Stone Memorials.”

The branch is managed by experienced funeral arranger Karen Knighton who worked in the NHS before entering the funeral services profession and then joining Wathall’s in 2022.

She said: “Having worked at various other Wathall’s branches, I am delighted to have responsibility for the new Littleover branch.

“Littleover is also a thriving business community and we look forward to becoming part of the local efforts to provide a thriving and welcoming experience for local residents and visitors alike.”

“Funeral arranging is a very rewarding job and there is no better feeling when a family tells you how much you have helped make a horrible time in their lives more bearable.”

The post Wathall’s Further Expands With Littleover Branch Opening appeared first on Wathalls.

Nottingham Road in Chaddesden is already busy, despite it being a cold Monday morning and I arrive at the same time as many of our neighbouring businesses.  We are looking to sponsor a local charitable cause so, as I am opening up, I speak to one of them who I know has lived locally all her life to see if she has any suggestions.

I started my working life in the funeral industry as an apprentice straight from school with Pride Funeral Services which became part of the Wathall’s family seven years ago and I was delighted when I was offered the role as branch manager here. We opened here 18 months ago and it is great to be part of such a vibrant, close-knit business community who have been so welcoming.

I start the day catching up on emails and speaking to families who have lost a loved one overnight – sending them our Next Steps brochure which is really useful and setting up appointments with those who want to use our services from the Chaddesden branch.

I also contact the families who I am arranging funerals for at the moment to ensure they are OK and whether they need anything else. I find the job really rewarding – helping people at such a difficult time in their lives and helping to ensure that the funeral wishes of they and their loved ones are fulfilled.

Tuesday

I am looking after the management of the pre-paid funeral plans at the moment which is something I really enjoy and I have a virtual meeting with the area manager of Golden Charter who we organise the plans with to discuss some interesting future developments which will make life even easier for people with their later life planning.

I then have several telephone calls and a couple of short meetings with people about their own pre-paid funeral plans which is always a very positive experience. Many of the people who have enquired in recent times have done so after arranging funerals for their loved ones – recognising that having their funeral wishes written down and the arrangements put in place will ease the burden on their own family when they pass away. 

I also take delivery of ashes for two families and contact them to arrange for them to be collected.  They also want information about keepsakes and have ordered an urn.

Wednesday

We have high footfall in this area and, particularly as we are so close to the Nottingham Road cemetery, families often pop in or telephone to discuss memorials for their loved ones. The weather is lovely today which has encouraged people to get out and about so it’s a busy day with various people calling in. I therefore take down the details of what the family would like, give them or send as much information as I can so that they can start considering the options and contact my colleague at Art Stone Memorials in Stapenhill.  She’s the expert in these matters and I know I am leaving the families in capable hands.

The sun is still shining so, at lunchtime, I walk up to the road for a meeting of the Friends of Nottingham Road Cemetery group. We discuss future plans for tidying up an overgrown area and plans for other maintenance as well as plans for a future open day event.

Thursday

I have two appointments with families today to discuss funeral arrangements.  Most people like to come into the branch as it is a convenient and neutral place for family members to come together although I am happy to do home visits if that’s better for them.

One of the meetings is with a large family whose father had already confirmed his funeral wishes at a local crematorium.  The family are far more relaxed, knowing that their father’s wishes and this will be a wonderful celebration of his long and happy life. He was a life-long Rams fan and, as DCFC’s preferred partner, he wanted a Derby County coffin, order of service, floral tributes, ties and scarves. We also arrange for a brick to be produced by our sister company Art Stone Memorials which will feature in the memorial area at Pride Park stadium.

After agreeing all the details, we spend time looking through the photographs they have so that I can upload them for the visual tribute that they want to feature in the service. 

I also prepare the Chapel of Rest for a family who want to come and say their final private farewells the day before the funeral.  For many people, having their loved one close to home before the funeral is a great comfort so I greet the family, double check whether they would like the coffin to be open.  After they leave, I also make the final checks such as whether they will be wearing their jewellery or whether it needs to be returned to the family and seal the coffin ready for the funeral tomorrow.

Friday

I have two funerals leaving from here today so I get in particularly early as the floral tributes arrive first thing. The final checks are a very organised process which I and the funeral conductor carry out before the hearse leaves. I find this a particularly interesting aspect of the job as I would like to train to also be a funeral conductor as well as arranger in the future.

I also have a meeting today with a family who want to create some glass keepsakes for the deceased’s children and grandchildren to keep and they opt for the Wings of Hope keepsake urns which will be a great comfort to them.  She was a keen gardener so they also order a garden memorial which I then order from the Art Stone Memorials team.

That sets the tone nicely for my own weekend as I have plans to spend it in my own garden – planting some colour and caring for my favourite plants.

The post A Week in the Life Of Sarah Yeomans appeared first on Wathalls.

Monday

I am currently in charge of the Alvaston branch whilst Emma Bunn is on maternity leave.  Although it is quite different to my usual office base in Macklin Street, I am thoroughly enjoying it. I used to work in the NHS as a health care assistant and then in administration until I joined the funeral services profession and I then joined Wathall’s in 2022. It is a very rewarding job and there is no better feeling when a family tells you how much you have helped make a horrible time in their lives more bearable.

I make the first call to families whose loved ones have passed away overnight to see which branch is more convenient for them and send them information to help them with the first steps in arranging a funeral. Our Next Steps brochure is really helpful to guide the family on the decisions that need to be made.  The last thing you want to do is pepper someone with questions so it is much easier for the family if they know what to expect.

The rest of the morning is spent updating the ‘to do’ list and planning out the week – although this is a very busy area and there is always someone popping in with an enquiry so flexibility is the key.

In the afternoon, a family comes in for a first appointment to arrange the funeral for a loved one.  We are so central in Derby that it is easier for the extended family in particular to meet here and we ensure that all elements for the cremation service are put in place.

Tuesday

Yesterday’s family want to include a notice in the Derby Telegraph which I sort for them.  Even though this is still popular, more and more families are content to use our ‘Much Loved’ service which is free and is where they can upload photographs, virtual candles and organise charity donations in lieu of flowers.  We can even include a QR code to the site on the orders of service for donations on the day of the funeral service.

Once I have confirmed the date at the crematorium, I then contact the celebrant that I think would best suit the family and their loved one and put them in touch with the family.

The style of funerals has definitely changed over the years.  Recently I had a family who conducted the whole cremation service themselves and even made their own video to pay tribute to their loved one.  The most important thing is that the family wishes come first.

Wednesday

I have another appointment with the family we have supported for three generations. Their father had a funeral plan with us and also updated his funeral wishes information a couple of years ago when his health was starting to deteriorate so everybody knows what he wants and are thankful for that.

He wanted a direct cremation which is becoming increasingly popular so we discuss this and allay any concerns.  Unlike many of the national firms, we ensure that local people are cremated locally and depending on the direct cremation package the family has chosen, we also give the family the chance to visit their loved one in the chapel of rest beforehand.  The family then talk together about the celebration party that they want when they have the ashes returned.  This will enable them to give their father the send off he deserves and help family and friends say goodbye and come to terms with their loss.

A couple of the next generation of the family also make appointments whilst they are here with me to set up funeral plans for themselves – recognising how much easier it is for a family when they know their loved ones’ wishes and taking away any financial burden from their own children.

Thursday

We have an Art Stone Memorials showroom here so my colleague from Stapenhill comes over to meet several families about memorials from headstones to kerb sets.

I know some of these families well having arranged the funerals so it is a chance to check in on them, remind them of our bereavement support services and see if there is anything else we can do to support them on their grief journey.

In between answering the door to families, I concentrate on updating my work list and I also have a video meeting with my colleague Anita Fenton who is the manager of our Borrowash branch to finalise the details for our involvement in a Christmas tree festival that is located in a church between our two branches.

Friday

We have two funerals booked for Monday and today I receive the deceased at the branch.  One of the families want to visit their grandmother and also place some personal items in the coffin. I prepare the Chapel of Rest for them, have a final chat about the arrangements for the funeral and leave them in peace to say their goodbyes.

After making my final calls and doing all the checks that need to be made ahead of the funerals, I head home. It’s a busy weekend of football for my beloved DCFC as well as my husband’s team (Nottingham Forest) who are both playing.  This has always be a slight bone of contention in our house but we keep it to friendly banter – most of the time!

The post A Week in the Life of Karen Knighton appeared first on Wathalls.

The team here at Wathall’s has organised the memorial service since 2008 – inviting families who have lost loved ones during this and previous years.

We were joined by members of Dandelions Bereavement Support groups in Derby and Ashbourne as well as representatives from local churches, charities, hospitals and nursing homes.

The early evening inter-faith service included Christmas carols, readings and finished with the moving poem by a 13-year-old boy ‘My First Christmas in Heaven’.

Staff from Wathall’s branches then served refreshments and families were invited to light a candle and hang a message of remembrance on a memory Christmas tree.

Managing Director Helen Wathall MBE is the fifth generation of her family to run the company.

She explained: “Christmas can be an especially difficult time of year when the ‘empty chair’ at the table is particularly poignant – regardless of how far people are in their grief journey.

“The Celebration of Remembrance and Hope is therefore a welcome opportunity for people of all faiths, or no faith, to remember loved ones and draw on the calm positivity that runs through this service.”

For information about help available through Wathall’s Dandelions Bereavement Support service, please visit https://www.wathalls.co.uk/bereavement-support/

The post Memorial Service Gives Families Time to Remember Loved Ones appeared first on Wathalls.

Monday

I am in the Derby branch today at Macklin Street but, looking at the diary, I will be working at various branches this week so it is certainly going to be a varied one for me. My job is very wide ranging which I love, and that probably sums up my working life so far. Having worked in a children’s nursery, then a secondary school supporting students who were deaf, I joined Wathall’s nine years ago. I started my job being based in Derby as receptionist and answering the phones but this has evolved over the years.  Having said that, Monday is always a very full day and the majority of it is spent answering the phone and either liaising with colleagues or handling enquiries myself.

Tuesday

I am back in Derby first thing to receive the cremated remains which are delivered from the crematorium.  When the ashes are delivered, I log them all onto our database and let the arrangers know they have arrived, so that they can contact the families and arrange collection.  Receiving the ashes is a very important part of the grief journey for families so it is imperative that it is handled correctly. Mid-morning I head over to our Allestree branch to cover for branch manager, Amanda Howitt. Now that everybody is working on the same system – it is quite a simple process to look after a branch if the manager is on annual leave or spending a day out of the office visiting families. After closing up the branch, I then head off to Derby Rugby Club with my colleague Fay Bloor, to run the evening Dandelions Bereavement Support Group. This is in addition to the two daytime groups which meet monthly in Ashbourne and twice monthly at St Peter’s Church in Derby city centre.

Wednesday

I am at the Borrowash branch today and, after the hearse arrives to pick up a coffin first thing, the diary is pretty clear so I get on with some of other jobs.  I collate the feedback forms which are, 9 times out of 10 – very positive, but there are occasionally some that have constructive feedback which is just as useful.  I check who has been involved in that particular funeral and share with colleagues as it is important for everyone to see what the family has said.  In the afternoon, I meet up again with Fay, this time to help deliver the Grief Journey session.  I particularly enjoy this part of my job, supporting people who have suffered a bereavement to develop the tools, knowledge and a fresh mindset to come to terms with grief and work towards their future. People are often signposted to us by their GP or other health professionals and we aim to have a maximum of six people so that everybody has the chance to talk things through. It is particularly rewarding when someone opens up about their feelings for the first time, I finish the session with a mindfulness exercise to ensure everyone leaves calm and relaxed. 

Thursday

Today I have been asked to visit the Alvaston branch to support the manager there who has a meeting with the daughter of a lady who has passed away.  The daughter is hearing impaired and as I am British Sign Language (BSL) trained – I am there to ensure that communication is free flowing and that her wishes are fully met.  Since I am already at the branch, I stay there for the rest of the day following up on some appointments and handling enquiries that come through.

Friday

Today I am back at the Derby branch, which is a hive of activity as everyone is trying to get as much done as possible before the end of the week. I spend a lot of Friday answering the phones, which means often I am the first point of contact with families. I take the initial enquiries and start to get the arrangement process rolling for them.  The day flies by and I leave the office looking forward to a long walk with my husband Frank – who is based at our Ashbourne branch – and our two Beagles followed by lunch at our favourite country pub.  Sunday will then be busy with the grandchildren coming over for the day and a family lunch.

The post A Week in the Life of Lynne Rigby appeared first on Wathalls.

I am in the workshop today as I split my time between various roles.  I started in the coffin workshop six years ago and, with a background of working with cars, also maintained the funeral cars.  I have also worked in the mortuary where the role includes measuring the person and then ordering the bespoke coffin from our supplier, Walwyns, which is in Ashbourne and is also a family-owned company.

My job today is to prepare the coffins for the funerals this week. There are so many coffins to choose from and we have a good variety that the families have chosen from wicker to the more ornate wooden coffins.  My role includes engraving and fitting the name plates and fitting the the linings, gowns and wadding.  I am a very practical person so I like this part of the job.

I finish the day by contacting the family whose funeral I am conducting tomorrow to ensure they know all the arrangements and timings and that none of the plans their end have changed.

Tuesday

I make the final checks for the funeral this lunchtime – ensuring I have the hymn sheets, orders of service, donation boxes and name cards and, with my manager Mark, we do the final triple check to ensure everything is correct.

I sit in the passenger seat of the hearse and we head over with the funeral car to pick up the family members.  Having double checked that everything is OK with them, we make the slow journey to the crematorium. This is not just a sign of respect, it is tradition that the deceased is not rushed on their final journey.

When we arrive at the crematorium entrance, I walk in front of the hearse and, as it is raining, I suggest to the family that they stay in the car while I go inside to meet up with the celebrant and make sure everything in the chapel is ready for them.

We walk into the chapel and, as soon as the family are seated, I step to one side so that I can keep an eye on proceedings without being noticed.  It is the ‘Wathall’s Way’ to be in the background rather than carrying canes and taking centre stage.  This is all about the family – not us – and it is our job to ensure that everything goes in accordance with the family’s wishes.

After the service, we wait until the family is ready to be taken to the wake.  I also check with the family whether they want to take the flowers with them or leave them at the crematorium.

Wednesday

I am on call in the workshop today – ready to collect a person’s body from their home, care home or hospital.  I was also on call last night and it is very rare that we don’t get any calls. 

Before I came to Wathall’s I had not really thought about the different scenarios that I would face.  As well as visiting the home of people who have passed away peacefully in bed, we are called to fatal road traffic accidents or someone who has not been seen for sometime and the police have had to break into a property.  It is important to stay calm and be prepared for every eventuality and my training in the Army straight from school does hold me in good stead.

Thursday

I am conducting another funeral today which is a job that I find very rewarding as it is the last thing you can do for someone and it is important to fully support a family at a difficult time.

Today’s funeral is a burial which adds an additional element to the proceedings as, after the church service, the pall bearers reassemble and we make our way to the graveyard.  We lower the coffin into the ground and I stay close to the family to ensure they have the time to say their final goodbyes before we take them to the wake.

The first funeral I conducted was for my own nan three years ago.  I asked if I could conduct the funeral and borrowed a colleague’s uniform.  Nearly a year later, I became a fully fledged conductor.  The best training is on the job but I think that I am well suited to it as I am a very logical and process driven person.  You also need to be a problem solver.  Recently, the minister fainted during the service and, although he thankfully recovered and was able to carry on, behind the scenes I was working to see if there were other celebrants or ministers nearby who could take over should the need arise.

Friday

After the usual morning meeting to review the week and plan what is coming up next week, I am called on to some minor maintenance work on one of the funeral cars and then spend the rest of the day in the workshop.

I particularly enjoy the engraving as I do this and 3D modelling at home as a hobby and a part time business in the evenings and at weekends.

Having been on call a couple of nights this week, I have the rest of the day off and head straight into the garage to check over my mountain bike and motor bike as I plan to get out and about in the Derbyshire countryside this weekend and let off some steam as I am never one for standing still!

The post A week in the life of Funeral Conductor Scott Adams appeared first on Wathalls.

With branches in Derby city centre, Allestree, Alvaston, Ashbourne, Borrowash, Chaddesden and Burton-on-Trent, we remain a Rams Preferred Partner – enabling families to have special access to Pride Park Stadium following the unique and personal funeral of their loved one.

Options include the chance to place a commemorative brick and ashes around the stadium perimeter; using the club logo and colours for service sheets, flower arrangements, coffins and urns.

All are available either as part of a funeral pre-payment plan for someone who is in the process of planning their own funeral or for the bereaved family.

Here at Wathall’s we also support the club’s ‘Rams Remember’ programme when the club offers supporters the opportunity to submit the details of their loved ones whose names can then appear on the LED advertising boards surrounding the pitch at selected games.

Managing director Helen Wathall MBE is a lifelong Rams fan and the fifth generation to run Wathall’s which has been serving local communities since 1858.

She explained: “As Derby’s longest established funeral directors, we are proud to not only support the Rams but also to provide special features for families who entrust us with planning their loved one’s funeral.

“The memorial bricks, including the opportunity to place cremated ashes underneath, are particularly popular with families.

“Our specialist stonemasons at Art Stone Memorials, create the bricks especially for each person. 

“The bricks create a lasting memorial at Pride Park Stadium and many families gather at the spot to share memories and celebrate their loved one’s life, particularly before and after the special ‘Rams Remember’ matches.”

The post Wathall’s Re-Signs with the Rams appeared first on Wathalls.

I start every day with a meeting with all the Funeral Team to go through the day and confirm everyone’s work schedules.  We have a varied job from conducting funeral services to collecting the bodies of people who have passed away and we need to be flexible to whatever calls we get.

We have a busy week of funerals ahead so I do a full checklist for the funerals planned for the next couple of days.  Nothing is left to chance and we have a thorough triple check system to ensure everything is ready and all the finer details are correct. I am fortunate that we have probably more full time members of staff than most other funeral directors but I also have a team of casual or part time funeral bearers that we call upon when needed so I put in some calls.

Tuesday

Part of our role is the removal of bodies – whether from a person’s home, their care home or, as in this case, from Ward 2 at the London Road Community Hospital.  I send one of the team up to the hospital to collect the person’s body and, with all the paperwork in place, I call the family to let them know that we are looking after their loved one until they decide who they want to arrange the funeral.

We also work with the bereavement team at hospital to arrange the funeral for babies who unfortunately die in hospital.  Every baby has a funeral whether they are full term or not which we all agree is one of the hardest jobs that we do – regardless of whether it is a cremation or burial.

I then spend the afternoon in the mortuary where I am needed to help prepare a person’s body who will then be taken to the Chapel of Rest at our Allestree branch tomorrow so that the family can say a private farewell to their loved one.

Wednesday

It is 15 years since I left my job in construction and started working as a driver and pall bearer here at Wathall’s. Having done all the jobs in the yard (as we call it) – washing the cars, preparing the coffins and working in the mortuary – I progressed onto being a funeral conductor .  As manager, it is important that I can step into any role at busy times and I love the variety in the job.

I am donning my uniform today and conducting a funeral which is an aspect of the job that I particularly enjoy.  Conducting a funeral is the last thing you can do for a person and I like to do this job at least once a week to see for myself that the ‘Wathall’s Way’ is being adhered to at all times and that standards are maintained.

Thursday

It’s a particularly heavy paperwork day today as next week is looking as busy as this one.  My job is essentially to make sure that every funeral runs smoothly and to never take anything for granted.

I work with the funeral arrangers to ensure that everything is ready for a funeral from ordering the coffins to contacting the families the day before a funeral to introduce ourselves and finalising the arrangements with the crematorium or church.

This is definitely not a nine to five profession so I also confirm the on-call rotas as we need to be available 24/7 to collect a person’s body and bring them here to the mortuary in Derby.

Friday

After such a busy week, it is important to ensure that everything is ship shape in the yard and that all the cars are in full working order and ready for the following week.

We also take delivery of coffins which are made bespoke to each person’s measurements so it is important that these are properly logged.

I am not on call this weekend so am looking forward to a weekend of football – watching my beloved Derby County on Saturday and then running my son’s junior football team Ashby Ivanhoe on Sunday.  Wathall’s sponsor the kit for the lads and it is always a proud moment when they head onto the team in their smart shirts sporting our name.

The post A Week in the Life of Mark Reed, Wathall’s Funeral Team Manager appeared first on Wathalls.

Monday

As always, I am up at 5.30am to take our two beagles for their morning constitutional before returning home to get ready for work.  I can honestly say that I have never dreaded going to work throughout my 42 years with Wathalls and I particularly love the journey into Ashbourne since I have been branch manager here as the beautiful scenery along the country roads always puts a smile on my face.

I spend the morning catching up on any outstanding matters with the funerals that I am personally arranging or those that I will be conducting during the coming week.

I then take a call from a local family who have sadly lost their elderly relative and take as much information as I can before arranging to go to their home the following evening to take the full instructions.  The majority of the Ashbourne funerals are at churches and church graveyards and this is no exception so I contact the vicar immediately to check on availability so that a date can be confirmed and all the arrangements can be finalised at the meeting with the family.

Tuesday

I am conducting a funeral this morning for an Ashbourne family so I get in bright and early to be ready for the day.  I contacted the family yesterday to check they were alright and to run through the details of the cremation service at Markeaton.  The florist delivers the flowers and then my colleagues arrive with the hearse and two limousines.  We drive over to the house to collect the family and make our way to Markeaton Crematorium.  The sons and grandsons are the pall bearers so I ensure they are comfortable holding the coffin. One of the many tips that Bill taught me was to wait for a moment at the entrance door and look behind to ensure all the family are in place and we make our way into the chapel.  I guide the family to their seats and then show them out at the end of the service before taking them back to a local community centre for the wake which is when I take my leave.

I am one of three colleagues at Wathall’s who conducts as well as arranges funerals. I enjoy the variety that the dual role brings and the families also appreciate the continuity of dealing with one person throughout. I started work at Wathall’s as a young lad – making coffins at the workshop in Macklin Street and then started driving. I was made a funeral conductor in my mid twenties and, in those days I was considered quite young for the role.  However, Bill Wathall, my boss at the time and father of our MD Helen Wathall, said I showed promise and took me under his wing and the rest – as they say – is history.

Wednesday

I am in the office all day today and have two very different meetings in the diary.  The first is to arrange a funeral on Zoom with a gentleman’s son and daughter who both live at opposite ends of the country.  This is an option which has continued since the pandemic when we were not allowed to have meetings face to face and it is a good way of ensuring that everyone’s views and wishes are taken into consideration.

The next meeting is with a family in the office who have a very clear idea of what they want for the funeral of their father.  When I first started in this job, funerals were very much prescribed by the vicar but times have very much changed.  The deceased was a huge music fan and the family have chosen his favourite songs to be played in the church.  They have also chosen a stylised coffin to reflect his taste in music.  We handle all sorts of funerals and both Bill and Helen’s mantra has been that we will sort out anything – as long as it is legal!  The most memorable funeral I have arranged and conducted was for a chap who passed away far too early but was a huge Star Wars fan and had left strict instructions of how he wanted his funeral to be. I will never forget leading the funeral procession alongside someone dressed as Darth Vadar followed by a small army of Storm Troopers.  It set the tone for the funeral as being a wonderful celebration of life.

Thursday

It’s a particularly beautiful day in Ashbourne today and, in between phone calls and emails, I am inspired by the sunshine to create a new window display to be enjoyed by passers by in Union Street which is just off the Market Place.  Having adorned the window with bunting for the past few weeks to mark the King’s coronation, I have created a beach scene to reflect the time of year.  Ashbourne has a particularly strong business community and we all try and make our windows as attractive as possible to mark calendar events and special occasions.  As I go outside to check the final details and have a good sweep up in front of the office, I am stopped by various local people who I know – many of whose family members I have arranged and conducted funerals for – and it is great to catch up on family and local news.

I then open the gates for a colleague to is bringing over a local person who will stay here until the funeral next week and the family have requested that they pay their last respects in the chapel of rest.  This is particularly important for family members or close friends who have not had the chance to see their loved one recently and it is a sad but uplifting moment for them in equal measure.

Back at my desk and, just before I close down the computer and head home, I take the opportunity to read through the local Ashbourne News Telegraph which was delivered yesterday.  Having caught up with the local news it is always good to turn to the sports pages to see how Clifton Cricket Club, who Wathall’s sponsor, are doing this season.

Friday

I have another funeral to conduct today – this time from the Derby office in Macklin Street.  I have already arranged the funeral for the family because, as a team we are all flexible regarding the location and the Derby-based colleagues have been particularly busy in recent weeks.

The extended family and friends are scattered across the UK and even overseas so I have worked with a specialist company to ensure this funeral service in the church can be live-streamed which is another positive throwback from the pandemic. After the service, the family have opted for a burial so I guide the family into the graveyard where one of my main jobs is to pass the box of earth around the family members before returning to the car to take them to the wake.

I work the rest of the day from the Derby office.  It is always good to catch up with colleagues even though, I have to admit, I rather like the quiet of being in the Ashbourne office on my own.  I head home with my wife Lynne who also works at the Derby office and we plan to spend the weekend seeing family on Saturday and then heading out into the countryside on Sunday for lunch and a long walk with the dogs.

The post A week in the life – Frank Rigby, Ashbourne branch manager appeared first on Wathalls.

Monday

It’s the start of another week and the day begins, as always with taking our laid back Bulldog cross Millie and very active Border Collie Miles for their morning walk.  They are chalk and cheese but love to start the day either plodding along or dashing after the ball.

My husband Paul also works for Wathall’s as a pall bearer based at Macklin Street so we head off in different directions. I have been at Wathall’s for five years having previously worked in retail management.  I was ready for a change and my sister Sarah recommended that I apply having told me just how rewarding the job is. She was not wrong – I love it here as every day is different.

After opening up the branch on the main road through Borrowash, I check through the weekend’s emails and messages and, most importantly, my ‘to do’ list which is the last thing I do in the office every evening – I do love a list!

I have two very different funeral arrangement meetings today – one by video call with family who lives away and the other is a home visit because the widow has mobility problems so it is much easier if I meet the family in her home.

Tuesday

I prepare for a meeting with a large family who are arranging a funeral for their father at one of the local crematoria.  It’s really important to take cues from the family about the tone of these meetings and, indeed the funeral itself.  The family are adamant that they want the funeral to be a joyful celebration of their dad’s long and happy life. 

Their dad was also a life-long Rams fan and we are DCFC’s preferred partner so I arrange for the family to have the special Derby County coffin, order of service, floral tributes, ties and scarves. We also arrange for a brick to be produced by our sister company Art Stone Memorials which will feature in the memorial area at Pride Park stadium.

After agreeing all the details, we spend time looking through the photographs they have so that I can upload them for the visual tribute that they want to feature in the service. 

Wednesday

On my way into work, I drop off a hamper at a local nursing home so that they can raffle it off to raise money for residents’ outings. Borrowash is a very close-knit community and I have really enjoyed becoming part of that.  Our involvement in the village includes sponsoring Borrowash in Bloom.  The village has been very successful in previous years and I bump into some of the volunteers on the high street who are tending to the tubs and planters to make sure they are at their best when the judges come round for their inspection visit.

People often pop into the branch and one of our local residents, who is also a member of our Dandelions Bereavement Support Group, drops in for a cup of tea.  It is always lovely to catch up with him and he usually pops in once a week for a chat ever since we arranged his wife’s funeral several years ago.

I then prepare for a visit from a family who wish to see their loved one in the chapel of rest ahead of the funeral.  As we are on the border of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, we serve a broad community and this family have travelled from the other side of Nottingham – keen to use a funeral director close to Dale Hill natural burial ground which will be their mother’s final resting place. 

Thursday

As soon as I open the door, a local florist arrives with the beautiful floral tributes to a local lady whose funeral it is today.  I determine with the florist which is the main tribute and put them aside safely whilst I make the final preparations and check in the chapel of rest before the hearse arrives. It’s nice to see my husband who is driving the hearse today as we have both had such a busy week it feel like we have been passing ships!

After lunch, I notify colleagues that I am heading out and go to see a couple who are keen to take out pre-paid funeral plans.  It turns out to be a very interesting meeting as they have very clear ideas about how they want their funeral to reflect their lives as keen musicians and we have a nice time filling out the funeral wishes booklet that Wathall’s has designed for this purpose – especially choosing their favourite songs and readings for the service.

Friday

I usually have around five funerals to arrange at any one time and I am a very methodical person so I spend the day double checking all the details of the funerals that will take place the following week.  I contact the families to check they are OK and to follow up any information that is outstanding and also touch base with the ministers and celebrants who are conducting the services to ensure they have everything they need.

It’s also nice to have a new colleague with me in the office today who is training to be a funeral arranger and is shadowing me as part of his training.

I finish for the weekend and head straight to a local garden centre as the forecast is lovely for the weekend and I plan to spend it planting my new vegetable bed which I am very excited about.

The post A week in the life – Anita Fenton, Borrowash branch manager appeared first on Wathalls.

We thought this would be a great opportunity for Fay Bloor, our Grief Counsellor and author of two grief activity books, to share her experience.

“I suppose the first thing to say is that I never thought I’d publish a book.

It wasn’t a life-long ambition, nor was it never on my horizon, it just sort of happened. That said, I’ve always loved reading and language – I’m the annoying one in the office that is a sometimes tad obsessive over correct grammar and punctuation (I’m definitely going to have to get this thoroughly proofed now!) – so that will have definitely helped.

My first book, Missing Someone Special, which is a grief activity book for children came about through Lockdown, as I’m sure many recently published works did. I’ve seen a few similarly themed activity books over the years but always wanted to create something a little unique, that encompassed my experience of working directly with bereaved families at the worst times of their life. When the first lockdown hit, I found myself with a bit of extra time, as many of my usual duties were on hold, so I began just drafting and after much procrastination, it was finished!

I’d drafted the book believing that at most, we would print it in-house for the families we care for. So I was bowled over when Helen Wathall, our managing director, encouraged me to look into getting it published and professionally printed. Self-publishing was quite the adventure, there’s more to it than I’d ever have thought, but it was good fun. So much fun in fact, that I did it all again last year, with Missing You, the adult equivalent of the first activity book.

Anyway, pushing my Imposter Syndrome resolutely to one side, here are some snippets of advice I would pass onto someone writing their first book:

• Find inspiration – If you are not inspired, it’s going to be hard work. I’d recommend instead spending that time reading/watching/listening to related material that inspires you, or talking to others with relevant experiences. It can be frustrating to do this when you’re eager to get going, but I found it to be more productive than staring at a blank Word Document for hours.
• Move your phone out of reach – This one only counts if you’re as easily distracted as me, but sometimes if I’m struggling to word something I’m tempted to reach over and mindlessly scroll, or it’ll ring and I’ll wind up instead working on a completely task. Of course, this point can be true of any distractions that you’re prone to, sometimes I definitely need blinkers on and seem to be distracted by everything.
• Use the resources available – I had no idea how to self-publish, and would still be as clueless without the wealth of knowledge available in books, YouTube videos and the internet. A website I found particularly helpful was https://www.publish-yourself.com/, as it broke down various steps into simple and digestible language. There are also plenty of forums and online groups with others in a similar situation, though use these with caution – they can be off putting if the members are using it as a place to vent.
• Change up your environment – I found that working from the same desk all the time dried up my thoughts. If you find yourself struggling with motivation, try changing up your writing environment now and then, perhaps working from a café or other office if possible.
• Listen to your cheerleaders – My books would still be a Word Document in the corner of my Desktop if it weren’t for the fabulous people around me boosting me back up in the moments that self-doubt hit. I’ll always be grateful to Helen Wathall for believing in me enough to get my works published, and for all the friends that spent their own time proofing each page. Those around you can be vital in the writing process, make sure you’re listening to the right kind of voices.

I hope you find these tips helpful with your own literary creations, can’t wait to see your titles on the shelves one day too!”

The post National Writing Day 2023 appeared first on Wathalls.

“I can’t believe that it’s been ten years already! I remember the very first training walk we did in the September before, we walked 8 miles around Carsington Reservoir and all of us were limping by the end of it. We had no idea how we were going to manage 3 times the distance in one go, let alone 5 days running.

“I’d only officially joined the company at the start of September and was helping prepare displays for our open day. Helen walked past and asked “Fay, do you want to walk to London?” With my mind on the task in hand, I replied “Yeah ok” and only later thought about what I’d roped myself into. It was a great opportunity to get to know my new colleagues better, as we were out on training walks together every other weekend, seeing much of our beautiful countryside in the process.

“We’d trained all winter, come rain or snow, so when the week of the walk arrived and we were hit with a heatwave, everyone’s boots fit differently and we practically had shares in Compeed Blister Plasters, but managed to laugh our way through the pain.

I don’t think the sight of Big Ben will ever not make my knees ache, but walking Derby to London was a fantastic experience and it was great to raise all that money to help bereaved parents and children get the support they need.”

The post 10th Anniversary of the Wathalls Walk to London for The Laura Centre appeared first on Wathalls.

I start the day as I always do – meeting with a friend at 6am for a brisk walk. We complete our favourite 3.5 mile circuit and I feel invigorated and up for the challenges ahead this week.

Mondays are always busy catching up with new instructions from over the weekend.  Every family who contacts us following the death of a loved one are asked which branch they would like to visit. Having been established in Allestree for nearly two years with our branch on a prominent position on the A6, we are a popular choice for families in this area.

I contact families who have chosen Allestree to introduce myself, find out as much information about their plans as I can and then set up a meeting in the branch.  I like to try and confirm a date and venue immediately so that families can start making plans so I spend the day sorting out the new instructions.

Tuesday

Today I have two different meetings with families to arrange their loved one’s funeral. Although it is always a sad time, meetings to sort out all of the paperwork and talk through the funeral arrangements are not always sombre affairs – especially when the family is determined to make the funeral a celebration of their loved one’s life.

Sometimes, the deceased will have had a funeral plan or filled out one of our free ‘My Funeral Wishes’ booklet so everything from key decisions such as burial or cremation to details about the music, flowers and coffin will be very clear.  However, not every family is keen to talk about death and the most challenging arrangements are when families are totally in the dark about what their loved one would have wanted. It is my job to offer up all the different options and gentle guide families through all the decision that need to be made. 

I spend the rest of the day putting plans into place for both funerals.  I used to work for the Mid Derbyshire MP Pauline Latham before I joined Wathall’s and that certainly taught me how to organise events and organise a busy person’s diary.  At any one time, I can have at least five funerals to organise and our computer system is great to ensure that every little detail is sorted.

Wednesday

I get into the office bright and early as the Derby team are bringing us the body of a lady who will be with us until her funeral the following week. I call the family and they immediately say that they want to visit her and to lay some personal items in her coffin. We always recommend embalming both for hygiene reasons and to ensure that all family members have the chance to visit their loved one.  This is particularly important for family members who live away and have not perhaps had a chance to say goodbye before their passing.  I prepare the chapel of rest at the branch and the family come to visit which they find to be a very healing experience.

As well as sorting out all the arrangements, one of my jobs is to match a family with a celebrant or minister who will conduct the service in the way that they want so I contact celebrants or ministers who I think would best match the families I met yesterday and am delighted that they are both available.  I pass on the information so that they can contact the families to discuss the services.

I then have a very different job in the afternoon – meeting up with a colleague to discuss what events we can support in our local community this year. Wathall’s is a family-owned business, established in Derby for more that 160 years, and has always been part of the local communities that we serve.  As a local person, I obviously want to support the Allestree area so I look forward to investigating various events further and opening up discussions on how we can be involved.

Thursday

I share the offices here with Fay and Sarah who are our bereavement counsellors and they have a busy day of appointments and it is my job to meet and greet clients as they arrive. I always make sure that my families know about the amazing support that we offer through the Dandelions Bereavement Support service which they, along with families who we have not arranged the funeral for, can access at any stage of their grief journey.

I have a meeting of my own in the other private office with the daughter of a lady whose funeral we recently arranged.  As is often the case, many people realise the benefits of taking out a funeral plan when they are faced with making the arrangements themselves for a loved one.  This lady is doing just that – determined that her own children will not have to make any difficult decisions when she passes away.

The last job of the day is to sort out some post funeral arrangements.  We offer some lovely ashes jewellery memorials and our sister company Art Stone Memorials design and install memorials for graveyards, crematoria and even gardens.

I sort out the orders for two ashes jewellery necklaces for two sisters who lost their mum earlier this year and I also contact Amy at Art Stone Memorials about a cremation plaque that a family want to order.

Friday

We have two funerals today – one in the morning and one in the afternoon and it is my job to do the final checks, including removing jewellery and placing any items in the coffins that the family have requested.

Many people don’t realise the difference between a funeral arranger and the funeral director on the day who is in charge of the proceedings.  The funeral director who is in charge today has already contacted both families so we discuss any final changes before the coffin is placed in the hearse and the cortege leaves to meet the family. My most memorable funerals have been a campervan hearse and a horse drawn carriage – both of which certainly brought the traffic to a respectful standstill.

I spent the rest of the afternoon ensuring that all the information is up to the date on the funeral planning system and contacting all my families to check they are OK, finalise any outstanding information such as orders of service and finding out if any more members of the family wish to visit the chapel of rest.

I try and finish on time on a Friday as I am heading up to Liverpool first thing in the morning to visit my eldest daughter who is at university there.  As well as spending a lovely day together, I always stock up the food cupboards to ensure she can cook healthy meals for herself.

The post A week in the life – Amanda Howitt, Allestree branch manager appeared first on Wathalls.

In celebration of English Tourism Week 2023 (March 18 to 27), the managers at each of our branches have selected their top two local attractions – whether cultural, sporting or of local historical interest.

Alvaston

• Moorways Sports Village
• Calke Abbey

Borrowash

• Elvaston Park
• Bennerley Viaduct

Chaddesden

• Chaddesden Park
• Bluebell Dairy and Farm

Allestree

• Kedleston Hall
• Allestree Park

Ashbourne

• Carsington Water
• Heritage Wood (including the Derby and Ashbourne Dandelions contemplation area)

Burton

• Stapenhill Gardens
• Clay Mills Victorian Pumping Station

Derby City Centre

• The Museum of Making
• Derby Cathedral

The post Exploring and Supporting Our Local Communities appeared first on Wathalls.

Among the local football teams we sponsor is Field Lane Under 8’s who were formed in September 2022 and are currently training hard and playing in various friendly matches and tournaments in preparation for joining the City League later this year.

The boys – who are all aged six and seven – proudly wore their Wathall’s kit to Pride Park recently for the midweek fixture against Cheltenham Town. After accompanying the Derby County players down the tunnel and onto the pitch, they took their seats in the North End with family and friends and were delighted when the home side won 2-0.

Field Lane Under 8’s team administrator Amber Woodbridge said: “The lads had a brilliant time at Pride Park and wore their Wathall’s kit with pride. We are very grateful to Wathall’s for supporting such a new team and look forward to keeping everyone updated on our progress as we get more matches under our belt.”

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According to statistics, nearly 60% of households in the UK own a pet and yet pet loss is one of the most frequently disenfranchised types of grief.

Our animals are part of our lives for years, often over a decade, yet when they die we rush ourselves to ‘get over’ the loss, it can feel almost embarrassing to be so distraught, telling ourselves to ‘get a grip’ and they were ‘just a dog/cat/horse/rabbit etc.’.

Of course, that just isn’t true. Our pets are never just an animal that we happen to share our homes with, they’re family members with unique personalities of their own. They make us laugh, they make us cross when they misbehave and they comfort us when they sense we are down – just as any other family member does.

When a human dies, we lose more than just the person, we also lose everything that they brought to our lives and the same is true in pet loss.

We lose the warm reception when we arrive home, our walking buddy, our non-judgmental listener, our mischief maker, our loyal companion, our routine, the one we cuddle up with to watch television and often the escapism spending time with our animals provides.

Pets bring so much to our lives that there is a huge gap when they are gone, yet we don’t feel comfortable openly grieving for them, simply because they are not human.

Quite often there are additional factors that make grief for a pet somewhat complicated.

Often it is up to us to decide that it’s time for them to be put down – to be kind and prevent their suffering, rather than them dying naturally. Making the call to have a pet put down is hard, often people worry that they’ve let their pet suffer too long before making the decision or wonder about the ‘what ifs’ of if they’d waited a little longer.

This is a normal grief response, it’s natural to question whether you did the right thing when you’re backed into making an impossible decision like that.  Even though you know it’s in your animal’s best interests, making that call to the vet is guilt inducing, heartbreaking and selfless, and your feelings are valid.

Another complication pet owners sometimes face is not being able to afford the life saving medical attention their animals need and, if they don’t have insurance, they have no options. This often leaves them feeling heartbroken and guilty.

Although this can be a difficult situation to compute, it’s important to remember that you loved your animal and did the very best you could for them at the time with the knowledge and resources you had available.

Sometimes the death of a pet can unlock hidden grief for past losses, meaning you face two lots of grief at once, which can be overwhelming. Due to busy lives people often don’t have chance to process the death of a loved one and so it can lay dormant until something unlocks it, like the death of a pet.

This can be confusing for both the person grieving and those around them, but is not unusual. Just take the feelings as they come and work through both losses at your own pace.

As with any other type of grief, it is important to allow yourself to mourn the loss of a pet, here are some ideas on how:

• Journal your feelings about their passing, write about what you miss most, what hurts the most, your favourite memories with them and how you are currently feeling.
• Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling, choose someone that you know will be non-judgmental and will not try and ‘fix’ the problem, but will just listen.
• Have a small memorial area for them in your garden where you can sit and remember them. Art Stones Memorials, which works closely with Wathall’s, have a lovely range of pet memorials, which is an important part of the grief journey after losing a beloved pet.  For more information, please visit https://art-stone.co.uk/services/pet-memorials/
• If they were cremated, perhaps have an ashes scattering ceremony with those closest to you, it can be nice to scatter the ashes somewhere you and your pet made a lot of memories together, or where they seemed happiest.
• Keep photos of them, just because they are gone does not mean they have to be forgotten, they will always be an important part of your life and thinking about them and keeping photos does not mean you are ‘stuck’ in your grief.

But most importantly, allow yourself to grieve and be patient with yourself. Don’t put pressure on yourself to hurry through the loss and feel better, just take the days as they come and remember that it is ok, and normal, to feel the way you do.

For more information about Dandelions Bereavement Support and counselling available through Wathall’s, please contact Fay Bloor by email fay.bloor@wathalls.co.uk or telephone 01332 345268.

The post Grieving The Loss of a Beloved Pet appeared first on Wathalls.

For those who are grieving the loss of a partner, whether this is your first valentine’s day or tenth, it can be a particularly painful time of year.

We have put together some pieces of advice which we hope will help you through the run up to Valentines day.

Most of the time, avoidance isn’t encouraged as this can create a negative impact on the grieving process, accepting what has happened is one of the first steps to building your life after a bereavement.

However, this doesn’t mean that if you feel like you aren’t emotionally strong enough to deal with something right now, that you must put yourself through it. If you want to avoid all things valentines related, you do that. Just know that you aren’t going through this alone, there are so many people who are feeling lonely and broken on Valentine’s day, after all, it is the day to show appreciation for the one we love, it’s always going to be difficult if the one you love is gone.

Here are some suggestions on how to get through the day:

• Ignore the day exists completely – although this may be quite difficult, if you do decide to do this, perhaps avoid listening to the radio, looking on social media or watching TV as adverts, conversations and images will be a reminder of the day you’re trying to avoid. Be prepared, record a TV programme, buy a new movie, invite over a friend who is also avoiding the day, make sure you are doing something that you enjoy.
• Allow yourself to be miserable for the day – it’s OK to let yourself be miserable every once and a while. But just remember, you aren’t alone in your misery. There are so many people experiencing grief on valentine’s day.
• Reinvent your valentine’s day perception and change the way you think about the day. Isn’t valentine’s day supposed to be the day for celebrating love? Choose to celebrate love of a different kind – the love of a friend, the love of your family, even the love of your favourite movie.
• Try something new, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it again.  Some ideas include volunteering for the day, inviting your friends over for dinner, plan a fun night out with others you know have experienced a loss, send a card or flowers to a friend or family member who you know is also suffering on valentine’s day.
• Love yourself. Whilst we are in the mist that is grief, we often forget to look after ourselves – slipping into a rut of unhealthy choices. Take this day as an opportunity for some much-needed attention on yourself, whether this be exercise, a nice long bath, a haircut. If it makes you smile, it’s worth doing.

Remember to recognise your limitations and don’t push yourself to do something you feel unable to do. Whatever plans you do make, make them flexible as you cannot guarantee how you will be feeling on the day.  For more support, please contact our counsellor and bereavement support coordinator Fay Bloor. Tel: 01332 345268 or fay.bloor@wathalls.co.uk

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The Grief Journey programme is part of Wathall’s Dandelions Bereavement Support service which also includes support groups in Derby and Ashbourne, 1-2-1 counselling and bespoke training programmes for businesses and organisations.

For easier access, the daytime Dandelions Grief Journey Programme has moved to a new venue at St Peter’s Church in the city centre on four consecutive Monday afternoons (2pm to 4pm) in March, June and November.  Evening programmes (between 6pm and 8pm) will be held at Derby Rugby Club in Haslam’s Lane in February, May and October.

The Grief Journey Programme is run by specially-trained Wathall’s staff and has been designed to equip people with the tools, knowledge and a fresh mind-set to come to terms with their grief and help them work towards their future.

Helen Wathall MBE is the fifth generation of her family to head up Wathall’s.  She said: “Grief is an individual experience and each person’s emotions and feelings are unique and personal.

“People join us at various times after bereavement – whenever they feel that they need support.

 “It is not formal counselling but the opportunity to be part of a group that explores the grief process and emotional pathway to help bereaved people cope with adjustments to life as it is now and the ‘new normal’.

 “The sessions are very informal and people are welcome to bring along a friend for extra support.”

Pre-booking is essential for the free programme with further information available online or by contacting Wathall’s bereavement support coordinator Fay Bloor, Tel: 01332 345268 or email fay.bloor@wathall.co.uk

The post Special Programme Supports Bereaved On Their Grief Journey appeared first on Wathalls.

The computers have been wiped clean of content and will be protected with high privacy settings before being given to young people who at present do not have access to computers to support their education.

Safe and Sound also took the opportunity to present Wathall’s with a trophy and specially designed poster to celebrate their nomination as Supporter of the Year which was decided by young people involved with the charity.

Helen Wathall MBE is the fifth generation of her family to run Wathall’s – Derby’s longest established independent funeral directors.

She said: “We were proud to be one of the companies who supported Safe and Sound during this, their 20^th anniversary year.  Therefore, when we replaced some of the office computers – we contacted Safe and Sound to see if they could be put to good use.

“I hope that they will be useful to young people who are still facing a challenging time to catch up with their education which was so badly disrupted during the pandemic and will take the pressure off families who are struggling with the cost of living at this expensive time of year.”

Tracy Harrison, CEO of Safe and Sound, added: “Wathall’s have been an amazing support to our charity for many years and we are delighted to be able to pass on these computers to families who really need them.

“In these challenging times, donations such as this show what can be achieved to improve people’s lives by businesses recycling unwanted equipment to charities so that they can be given to those who need them.”

Safe and Sound also have an ongoing recycling programme for unwanted mobile phones and tablets which are recycled and a proportion of the profits donated back to the charity.

For more information about this and other ways to support Safe and Sound, please visit https://www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/make-a-donation/

Picture shows, from left: Safe and Sound fundraising and marketing officer, Lucy Dey and CEO Tracy Harrison with Wathall’s managing director Helen Wathall and business development manager Bec Wathall.

The post Donation Supports Local Families appeared first on Wathalls.

The activity book entitled ‘Missing You’ was written by Wathall’s bereavement support coordinator and qualified counsellor Fay Bloor, and illustrated by University of Derby graduate and freelance illustrator Michael Ashley.

Fay and Michael first collaborated to create ‘Missing Someone Special – working your way through loss’, which was published last year, aimed at children and young people who have suffered a bereavement.

The latest book ‘Missing you – working your way through loss’ aims to offer the same standard of in-home support, but relevant to adults.

It includes a section dispelling common myths around grief, explanations on why people may be experiencing certain feelings and mixed emotions and suggests practical ways to help, such as filling out a journal or simple ways to commemorate loved ones.

Fay Bloor, who runs Wathall’s award-winning Dandelions Bereavement Support service, explained: “We have had very positive feedback to the children’s bereavement activity book and many families then asked if we could do something similar to help adults navigate their grief journey.

“There is still such a taboo around talking about death and the complex emotions surrounding grief, that I wanted to create something that would help people better understand, and feel less alone in, their own feelings and provide an outlet for them to write down their own experiences as part of the healing process.

“Michael has created beautiful illustrations for the book which perfectly set the gentle and calming tone of the book.

“I am also particularly grateful for the members of our own Dandelions bereavement support groups for contributing their own experiences and emotions, which I am sure will help others come to terms with their grief.”

To order a copy of either or both of the activity books, please order online CLICK HERE telephone Wathall’s on 01332 345268; email fay.bloor@wathalls.co.uk  or visit one of the branches in Derby, Allestree, Alvaston, Ashbourne, Borrowash, Burton-on-Trent or Chaddesden.

For more information about Fay Bloor, visit https://www.faybloor.com/ and for more information about Michael Ashley, visit https://michaelashleyillustration.wordpress.com/about/

The post Activity Book Helps People Navigate Their Grief Journey appeared first on Wathalls.

The equipment is registered with East Midlands Ambulance Service and anyone alerting the emergency services to a suspected cardiac arrest is provided with an access code for the defibrillator if appropriate.

The £1,600 fundraising campaign to buy and install the equipment was spearheaded by city councillor for Allestree, Steve Hassall, whose sister tragically died from a heart attack earlier this year.

Cllr Hassall explained: “We wanted to do something positive in her memory and asked around as to where we needed to install a defibrillator in the local area.

“The A6 Duffield Road was deemed the best location and we are grateful that Wathall’s agreed to have the equipment installed at the front of their office.

The community fundraising appeal was supported by Hannell’s estate agents whose managing director Michael Brain is a former first responder and trauma responder.

He said: “Defibrillators can make a vital difference in the outcomes of someone suffering a cardiac arrest so the more public-access equipment available in our local communities – the better.”

Helen Wathall MBE, who is the fifth generation of her family to run the company, concluded: “Many people’s lives are affected by cardiac arrest and we were only too happy to support the installation of the defibrillator which could very well make the difference in such an emergency situation.

“Although we are relative newcomers to the Allestree – we have been incredibly impressed with the strength of community spirit in this area and are not surprised that local people so readily came forward to raise the necessary funds to buy this equipment for their area.”

Picture shows, from left: Cllr Steve Hassall, Hannell’s area director Nicola Barnard and  Wathall’s Allestree branch manager Amanda Howitt.

The post Local Community Comes Together To Install Life Saving Equipment appeared first on Wathalls.

Visitors to the natural woodland and lake over two weekends in November and December can follow a beautiful trail of sparkling lights, see a rainbow of lasers and delight in a musical  light show on the lake and then enjoy refreshments and stalls.

The latest support from Wathall’s has contributed towards lighting around the contemplation clearing where the company has previously installed a six foot stainless steel dandelion structure and a sturdy oak table and bench for visitors to sit and remember their loved ones.

The illuminated woodland walks will take place between Friday November 25 and Sunday November 27 and then Friday December 2 to Sunday November 4 between 4.30m and 7.15pm.

Helen Wathall MBE is the fifth generation of her family to run Wathall’s which has offices in nearby Ashbourne as well as Allestree, Alvaston, Borrowash, Burton, Chaddesden and Derby.

She said: “Heritage Wood is a popular place to dedicate a tree and we have always enjoyed visiting the natural woodland as a family because it is so peaceful and tranquil and the perfect place to be at one with nature.

“We have, over the years, worked in partnership with Heritage Wood to create a focal point in the contemplation clearing with the dandelion sculpture and bench which are dedicated to the members of our Dandelions bereavement support groups who meet regularly in Ashbourne and Derby.

“I am delighted to now be supporting the illuminated woodland walk which is a popular annual celebration of this special place and look forward to enjoying the uplifting atmosphere with the other visitors.”

Family-owned Heritage Wood was first established in 1988 as an area for people to dedicate a tree to a loved one – either in their memory after they pass away or to mark a milestone in their lives. So far more than 8,000 trees have been planted and there is capacity for almost as many again.

Further information and tickets for the woodland walks are available at www.heritagewood.co.uk

For more information about Dandelions Bereavement Support Service please visit Our Bereavement Support Page or call 01332 345268.

Picture shows: the illuminated dandelion sculpture during last year’s Woodland Walk

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Our wonderful counsellor, Sarah Legg, has joined the team providing high quality bereavement support to children as young as 8 years oldright the way up to teens and young adults. Sarah has plenty of experience in supporting young people of various ages, as they work through significant losses as well as many other problems.

The counselling sessions will take place in our specially designed counselling room at our Allestree office on Duffield Road, and cost £40 per hour.

Sarah was part of the Bereavement Support Team at Wathall’s back in 2016, but had to leave due to family commitments. Since then, she has been busy completing a Post Graduate Course in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy, and in 2020 she qualified with a Level 5 Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. Sarah is also an accredited member of the National Counselling Society. We are delighted to have Sarah back with us, and look forward to offering her services to the young members of our community.

To book in a session with Sarah, please email sarah.legg@wathalls.co.uk or call 01332 345268 and request a call back from her.

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Bereavement support groups come in various forms – from formal talking circles to relaxed befriending groups, from small gatherings to larger factions.

Whatever form they take, such groups are an opportunity to allow grieving people to talk about their loss and feelings openly with others that understand and, by providing peer support and empathy, groups help attendees to feel less alone in what they are going through. Some also have trained facilitators who can offer additional support to those who need it.

If you’re looking for support, it might be worth trying a couple of groups to see which one is the best fit for you. Everyone’s needs are different so different group layouts will appeal to different individuals.

What are the benefits of a bereavement support group?

Whilst everyone takes something slightly different from bereavement support groups, the most common benefits include:

• A chance to be heard: Commonly in grief, it can be hard to talk to those closest to us for fear of upsetting them or having them worry about us. Or sometimes we just don’t have anyone we can talk to about how we’re feeling. Bereavement support groups offer the chance to be listened to which helps to make sense of all that has happened.
• They validate our feelings: Talking about our feelings with others who understand where we’re coming from validates our feelings, making us feel less alone with them and helping us to heal.
• They help fight loneliness: Being surrounded by people doesn’t guarantee that you won’t feel lonely. You’re missing that one specific relationship and nothing can fill that gap. However, talking to people who are going through something similar and being understood can help you feel less alone in your grief journey.
• A chance to meet new people: It’s common that friendships can change after a significant loss. People often find that some of their friends tend to withdraw and distance themselves if they are uncomfortable around your hurt. Bereavement support groups are a good chance to meet new people who won’t be afraid of your emotions, because they have them too. They can relate to your new situation and you can lean on each other for support. Many of the attendees of our Dandelions bereavement support groups contact each other between group meetings, some have even been on holiday together.
• Gives a purpose for the day: It can be hard to stay motivated at times when grieving a loved one. It can feel like our purpose has disappeared and that no one would notice if we just stayed in bed and hid from the day (which is fine to do upon occasion). Attending a bereavement support group is a personal mission for the day. It’s something to get up and moving for, as well as bringing you the benefits listed above.
• They often have shorter waiting lists and are cheap to attend: Groups can accommodate more people at a time so often have short or no waiting lists. They also tend to be quite flexible – giving you the freedom to just turn up rather than having to book and are often free or only a few pounds to attend. This makes them a useful interim method of support if you’re on a waiting list for 1:1 formal counselling.

Conclusion

Grief is a personal experience so, what works for one person, might be unhelpful for another. The best advice we can give is to try a group or two and see how you feel about them. If they aren’t for you, it’s worth looking into alternative methods of support and finding something that suits you best.

If you’d like any information on the bereavement support options available through Dandelions, please contact Fay Bloor on 01332 345268 or fay.bloor@wathalls.co.uk or by visiting https://www.wathalls.co.uk/bereavement-support/

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Wathall’s have joined DCCT’s Trust Partners programme. In the first instance, the company’s bereavement support coordinator and qualified grief counsellor Fay Bloor is providing training and bereavement awareness sessions for DCCT staff.

The aim is to enable staff to support colleagues as well as members of public – from children to older people – who benefit from the Trust’s nationally-recognised community programme.

DCCT group members will also be signposted to Wathall’s Dandelions Bereavement Support services if they need further support following a bereavement. These include free Grief Journey programmes and support groups in Derby and Ashbourne. 

Likewise, people who have lost a loved one and are supported by Wathall’s will be put in touch with DCCT whose community programmes focus on mental health and wellbeing, physical activity and activities to combat social isolation.

Helen Wathall MBE is the fifth generation of her family to run Wathall’s and is a lifelong Rams fan.

She said: “DCCT and Wathall’s have much in common – not least a goal to support the health and wellbeing of people in our local communities who are at a low point in their lives. Therefore, becoming a formal Trust Partner of the charity was a natural progression for us.

“Grief affects different people in different ways.  However, losing a loved one – whether that is recent or historic – often leads to physical and mental ill health as well as loneliness and social isolation.

“By sharing our expertise and resources with DCCT, I hope that we can add even greater value to the fantastic work that the Trust does in our local communities.

“We will also be better placed to signpost our Dandelions members to an appropriate DCCT group which I know will greatly benefit many of them as they come to terms with their new normal after losing a loved one.”

DCCT Head of Community Simon Carnall added: “Bereavement is an inevitable part of life and our partnership working with Wathall’s will help us as an organisation to better support our colleagues and people in our local communities alike.

“This work perfectly illustrates the creative ways that the local business community can support the Trust – taking relationships far beyond corporate giving to provide mutually-beneficial support that has the potential to make a long-lasting positive impact on many, many people’s lives.”

For more information about opportunities to support DCCT, visit https://www.derbycountycommunitytrust.com/fundraising-and-events/join-our-network and for more information about Wathall’s Dandelions Bereavement Support programme, visit https://www.wathalls.co.uk/bereavement-support/

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The new branch in Nottingham Road, Chaddesden, joins the existing branch network of Macklin Street in Derby city centre, Allestree, Alvaston, Ashbourne, Borrowash and Burton-on-Trent.

The new branch, managed by long-standing Wathall’s employee Sarah Yeomans, was officially opened this week by two city councillors representing the Chaddesden ward – Jonathan Smale and Jerry Pearce – who welcomed Wathall’s to the area.

Cllr Jonathan Smale said: “It is great to see a well-known family business expanding in the city and particularly into the Chaddesden area.

“Nottingham Road is a thriving business community and I know that the neighbouring businesses will extend a warm welcome to Wathall’s.”

The refurbishment of the building was overseen by business development manager Bec Wathall who is the sixth generation of her family to work in the company.

She said: “There has been a great deal of interest in the office opening – particularly when we uncovered the old post office sign above the front door during the refurbishment.

“We are delighted with the results of the refurbishment which has provided us with a comfortable and easily accessible environment where families can feel at ease as they pre-plan and arrange funerals and visit their loved one in the Chapel of Rest.

“We also have sample memorials and all the information available for our sister company Art Stone Memorials to enable families to choose a lasting memorial to their loved one – whether that is for their own garden or the cemetery where they are laid to rest.”

Managing director Helen Wathall MBE concluded: “I have wanted to open a branch in Chaddesden for sometime to better serve the local community here who have previously come to our other Derby branches.

“We look forward to becoming part of the Chaddesden business community and are particularly grateful to the two local councillors for their warm welcome and good wishes.”

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In simple terms, the memorial clearly indicates where a person or their ashes are buried so that family and friends can visit to remember and honour the memory of the person who has died.

They are however much more personal and meaningful than that so the responsibility of organising a memorial after losing a loved one can seem like a daunting prospect and yet another thing to organise when you are already facing the difficult emotions of bereavement.

Creating the right lasting memorial to a loved one is just as important as the funeral service and with the right support, can be another healing step in your grief journey.

Rather than being a time-consuming process with potential to become a source of conflict between family members, this should be regarded as a positive and healing experience.

However, it should not be rushed.

Some families feel that they should get on with installing a memorial as soon as possible – concerned that others might think they are neglecting the grave. 

However, in reality and for practical reasons, choosing and erecting a stone memorial often cannot be completed straight away.

This is particularly the case following a burial if the churchyard or cemetery does not have pre-installed concrete beams as the ground needs time to settle. In fact, many cemeteries and churchyards recommend waiting 12 months before the headstone is erected.

Ordering a cremation stone can be much faster and simpler process, but it is still important to make considered decisions as these memorials equally stand the test of time and will also be around for future generations to discover.

Talking to colleagues at our sister company Art Stone Memorials, I have been amazed at the complexities of this process and the importance of their in-depth knowledge of all the permissions required under strict rules and regulations relating to the size, style and inscriptions permitted on memorials. So it really is worth obtaining the advice of those in the know.

Whilst it is tempting to forge ahead with these big decisions to create a sense of closure and to tick off your ‘to do’s’, my advice would be to take a breath after the funeral to process all that has happened.

Once you are ready, and sure of what you want, then gently start the process with a company such as Art Stone Memorials who will guide you through the whole process.

Please visit their website https://art-stone.co.uk/ or call them on Burton: 01283 539 531;

Derby: 01332 949 374.

This blog is written by Fay Bloor, bereavement support coordinator and counsellor at Wathall’s.

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The Year of Light initiative has been spearheaded by Business Development Manager Bec Wathall who, alongside sister Charlotte, is the sixth generation of the family to work in the company – Derby’s longest established independent funeral directors.

Bec explained that the 12 neon signs would be featured in stages around the company’s branches in Derby city centre, Allestree, Alvaston, Ashbourne, Borrowash, Burton-on-Trent and Chaddesden which is due to open next month (June).

She said: “I was inspired to develop the Year of Light messages after reading a book about living life to the full and someone’s dying wishes.

“After such a turbulent couple of years for most people and particularly the families that we support, I wanted to create a series of messages that would uplift and inspire people to make positive changes.

“The overriding theme is that tomorrow isn’t promised and ensure that you don’t have regrets – including telling your nearest and dearest that you love them.”

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