Hadaway & Denton, with our longstanding presence in Ashford and serving the whole of Kent, understands that the role of a funeral director can seem mysterious to many. Today, we want to shed some light on what it truly means to be a funeral director. By understanding our daily tasks, you’ll appreciate the depths of our dedication and the breadth of services we offer to grieving families.
Beginning the Day: Administration and Organisation
Most days start in our office, reviewing the schedules and appointments for the day. We keep a log of every funeral that we’re overseeing, ensuring that every aspect of the process is organised and ready. This means checking and re-checking bookings for chapels, organising transportation, liaising with suppliers, and ensuring that every detail, right down to the music chosen for the service, is in place.
Meeting with Families - The Heart of Funeral Directing
At Hadaway & Denton, our interactions with bereaved families sit at the core of our services. This intimate, heartfelt exchange not only sets the stage for the entire funeral process but also offers an opportunity for families to begin navigating their grief journey.
Creating a Comfortable Space - When a family enters our establishment, our priority is to create a warm, serene environment where they feel safe to express their feelings. Every family is unique, and we strive to understand their individual needs and preferences. Our approach is tailored to each family, ensuring that they receive a personalised experience.
Understanding Their Wishes - Our meetings are structured but flexible. Some families come in with clear ideas about how they want the funeral to be, while others might need more guidance. We begin by discussing the deceased’s wishes, if known, and complement that with what the family envisions. Sometimes this is a simple affair; other times, it's a multi-layered event encompassing various cultural or religious rites.
Beyond Words - While the spoken word is important, much of our understanding comes from what remains unsaid. Families often communicate their needs through subtle cues, gestures, or emotions. By being attuned and paying attention we can better address their concerns and provide suggestions that resonate with their sentiments.
Guiding Through Choices - For many, the myriad of decisions during this time can be overwhelming. Whether it's the choice between burial and cremation, the selection of a coffin or urn, or even the finer details like music or readings, we guide families step-by-step. Our vast experience enables us to offer insights or suggestions that families might not have considered, making the process less daunting.
Reminiscing and Celebrating Memories - Often, our meetings turn into beautiful sessions of reminiscing. As families share anecdotes and memories of their loved ones, we get a deeper understanding of the life being celebrated. These stories often influence the funeral's tone, helping to craft a service that truly mirrors the essence of the deceased.
Our meetings with families are more than just logistical discussions; they're deeply emotional and transformative interactions. They form the foundation for the funeral service, ensuring that every aspect is a genuine reflection of the life lived. At Hadaway & Denton, we're privileged to be part of this journey, supporting families in Ashford and Kent during their time of need.
Paperwork & Legalities
Though often unseen by the public, funeral directors handle an array of essential paperwork. This includes obtaining and filing death certificates, coordinating with cemeteries and crematoriums, ensuring legal compliance, and managing pre-paid funeral plans. All these tasks require meticulous attention to detail.
Preparation & Care of the Deceased: The Independent Touch
At Hadaway & Denton, we understand that entrusting us with the care of a loved one is among the most profound responsibilities a family can give. Our approach to preparing and caring for the deceased is deeply personal, reflecting our independent funeral director ethos, which starkly contrasts with that of larger national companies. Here's a deeper dive into our process and why it stands out.
Personalised Care - Unlike larger, national funeral companies where processes might be standardised and impersonal due to the sheer volume of work, as independent funeral directors, we are able to give more individualised attention. Every step, from embalming to dressing, is done with a personal touch, ensuring that the unique personality and wishes of the deceased are honoured.
Flexibility in Traditions and Rites - Independent funeral directors, especially those like Hadaway & Denton, rooted in local communities, possess an in-depth understanding of regional customs, beliefs, and traditions. This knowledge ensures that every ritual, no matter how niche or specific, can be facilitated with authenticity.
The Art of Embalming - Embalming is a delicate task, and while it's fundamentally a preservation process, the way it's approached can vary. At Hadaway & Denton, our embalmers treat each body with the utmost reverence. Our smaller scale allows us to ensure that the process is never rushed and that every measure is taken to present the deceased respectfully.
Dressing with Dignity - Choosing the attire and dressing the departed is an intimate step. Families often provide clothing that held significance, and our team ensures that the deceased is dressed with great care and attention to detail. This personalised touch can sometimes be overlooked in larger, conveyor-belt style operations of national chains.
Building Trust through Transparency - At every stage of preparation, we believe in maintaining transparency with the family. They are welcome to ask questions, make special requests, or even be present during certain stages if it brings them peace. This level of involvement is often more challenging to achieve with national companies due to their standardised protocols.
While both independent funeral directors and national companies strive to offer respectful and dignified services, the essence of being independent allows us to be more adaptable, personal, and deeply connected to the communities we serve. In the delicate matter of preparing and caring for the departed, these differences become profoundly significant, offering families a tailored, compassionate experience during their time of need.
Coordination & Supervision of the Funeral Service
On the day of the funeral, our role is to ensure everything runs smoothly. This involves coordinating transportation, setting up the venue, and ensuring that all aspects of the service, from floral arrangements to audio-visual equipment, are in place. We act as a guide for the grieving family, ensuring they have the space to mourn while being reassured that all logistical aspects are handled.
Post-funeral Tasks
Our responsibilities don't end when the funeral service concludes. We help families with tasks like monument and memorial arrangements, offering grief counselling resources, and ensuring that all bills and paperwork are finalised.
Continuous Learning and Training
Being a funeral director is not a stagnant profession. We constantly educate ourselves about the latest industry standards, trends, and technologies. This involves attending workshops, seminars, and collaborating with peers to ensure that our services are of the highest quality.
Community Engagement
Hadaway & Denton believes in the importance of community. We often engage in community activities, offering workshops on grief, supporting local events, and participating in initiatives that enhance our bonds with the people of Kent.
Final Thoughts
While the tasks might seem varied and extensive, at the heart of every activity is our profound commitment to serving the bereaved. Being a funeral director is not just about organising a ceremony; it's about providing solace, understanding, and support at one of life's most challenging times. Every day, we're reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of community. In Ashford and throughout Kent, Hadaway & Denton stands as a pillar of support, ensuring that each life is celebrated and remembered with the dignity it deserves.
5 min 
