Wathall's

We will be at Trent Valley Crematorium next Saturday for their community open day.

Along side our friends at Art Stone Memorials, we will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. There will be an opportunity to look around the chapel, gardens and crematory too.

We have some goodie bags and a competition for all those who attend the event, details of the competition will be announced next week at the event.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🎩

With love this Father’s Day 💔

🌼 Last Minute Space 🌼

We have had a last minute space become available at our sell out support programme, Grief Journey.

Our free programme starts on Monday (3rd June), running from 2pm - 4pm at St. Peter's Church, St. Peters Street, Derby City Centre.

It runs for 4 weeks, with the remaining sessions being held at the same time and location on 10th, 17th and 24th June.

So, what is the programme about?
The programme is educational, designed to equip you with tools to better support your own grief journey. Discussing topics such as the emotions and physical reactions to grief, as well as working through the difficulties of loss with practical support.

To book on, please DM our page.

Can't make this one but feel you would benefit from a little extra support? You can also message us to be added to the waiting list for our next programme in October. Details can be found on our website: https://www.wathalls.co.uk/bereavement-support/grief-journey-programme/

🌼 Dandelions Bereavement Support for June 🌼

No matter how long ago you lost a loved one, you may still need some additional support from time to time. All are welcome to our informal Dandelions Bereavement Support Groups, which meet monthly in Derby and Ashbourne to offer friendship and guidance through your grief.

All group sessions are free and anyone is welcome to join us, regardless of long ago your loss occurred or whether or not Wathall’s arranged your loved one’s funeral.

For more detail please visit https://www.wathalls.co.uk/.../bereavement-support-groups/

❤️ Creating a Lasting Memorial ❤️

Choosing a memorial for a loved one is a very personal decision, whether it‘s a headstone for a churchyard or a vase for a cremation plot.

Our sister company Art Stone Memorials offer a wide range of graveside memorials and can help guide you through everything you need to know about choosing the right memorial for your loved one.

Accredited by the National Association of Memorial Masons, Art Stone specialises in designing, creating and installing memorials as well as adding inscriptions, renovating and cleaning existing memorials.

For more details please visit the Art Stone website https://art-stone.co.uk/

❤️ Arranging a funeral – where to start ❤️

When someone close to you dies and you are tasked with arranging the funeral, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help you through this difficult time, we have put together a list of frequently asked questions, available to download from our website.

This list is not exhaustive, but it will hopefully help you to prepare many of the answers you’ll need for the arrangement of a funeral.

Please feel free to contact us at any stage for further advice. If you need immediate help, please call 01332 345268. We are here for you 24/7.

https://www.wathalls.co.uk/arranging-a-funeral/

🎩 Local and Community History Month🎩

In 1985 Bill’s daughter, Helen Wathall MBE, joined the firm aged 18. Originally offering to help with accounts for a couple of years following a conversation over breakfast one morning, Helen had no idea that decision would result in her taking over the reins of the company on the death of her father in 1995.

Helen, the fifth generation of her family to run Wathall’s is now a leading figure in the funeral industry nationally. She has held office as National President of the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) in 2003, at the time dealing with government policy and profession wide issues.

Helen also became the first female board member of Golden Charter, who provide our pre-paid funeral plans. Golden Charter is one of the UK’s largest funeral plan providers and is owned by an association of independent funeral directors.

In 2019, Helen was awarded an MBE by HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in the New Year’s Honours list for her services to business and the community of Derbyshire.

As Managing Director, Helen takes the lead in keeping the company up to date with the latest regulations and services to offer families, as well as supporting staff in every department to implement the best support the families who need us.

When asked what her favourite part of her job was, Helen replied "I really enjoy being able to help and support a family from their first contact with us, through the funeral and beyond. It is a privilege to be a part of such an intimate part of a family's life."

National Conversation week 23-29 May

Each day we have numerous conversations, but how well do we listen?

We all know what it’s like when we’re talking about something important to us, and it feels like the other person isn’t fully hearing what we’re trying to say, but instead they’re listening to respond.

Effective listening is a simple skill to hone, but can make a significant difference to the speaker. Here are some simple tips on being a great listener that will help the other person really feel heard.

https://www.wathalls.co.uk/10-tips-being-a-great-listener

🌼 Grief Quote 🌼

Life will become meaningful again, albeit in a different way, and moving through your grief is not the same as forgetting your loved one, they will always be an important part of your life. 💛

For details of our bereavement services please visit our website: https://www.wathalls.co.uk/bereavement-support/

🎩 Local and Community History Month🎩

During WW2, premises on Abbey Street were turned into a coffin store and temporary mortuary, and the coffin workshop at Macklin Street was used to store many pre-made coffins – something which was quite unusual at the time, as back then each coffin was handmade to order.

Due to the grim reality of the war, it was thought that Derby would be targeted for its role in manufacturing weapons and war machinery.

Before the 1930’s, horse drawn was the preferred choice of funeral transport, until the introduction of motorised hearses. Wathall’s were the first funeral directors in the area to get a motorised hearse, and still to this day have a copy of the original design sheet that was used for the aesthetics of the car, which the team had a great amount of input in. As cars became more popular the horses were phased out, however, we can still source traditional horse drawn hearses for our families today.

In 1952, Bill Wathall joined the firm aged 20. Bill had just completed his national service where he had travelled to Germany and worked as part of the recovery effort bringing soldiers and supplies back to England after the war.
Bill saw many changes throughout his career, including the buying in of ready-made coffins and the removal of woodwork machinery in the late 1980’s. Although we don’t make our own coffins anymore, they are still finished on the premises with lining, trim, handles and a personalised nameplate.

Sadly, in 1995, Bill Wathall passed away, just like his namesake, aged 62 years. He was liked by all who knew him and is remembered fondly for his inspiring talks and his commitment to the funeral industry.

👩 Week in the Life of Sarah Yeomans 👩

Chaddesden Branch Manager, Sarah Yeomans, has worked at Wathall’s since 2016. She entered into the funeral industry via an apprenticeship with Derby College in 2013, at the young age of 16, and says she "can't imagine doing anything else."

Since opening in 2022, Sarah has managed the Chaddesden branch and enjoys being part of the local community to help support and guide families at one of the most difficult times.

Thank you to Sarah for your hard work over the last 8 years!

If you would like to know what a week in the life of Sarah is like, visit https://www.wathalls.co.uk/a-week-in-the-life-of-sarah-yeomans/

🫖 Let’s Talk About... your funeral wishes 🫖

Funerals are an opportunity for family and friends to both express their grief and celebrate the life of a loved one.

With an increasing number of options available in funerals today, many people are choosing to record their funeral wishes, meaning their families are not left guessing when the time comes.

Our free Funeral Wishes service gives families the option to record their choices and important information, even if they aren’t ready to purchase a pre-paid funeral plan.

Please visit our website https://www.wathalls.co.uk/funeral-planning/ or call any of our branches where a member of staff will be happy to help.

💛 Bereavement support 💛

Grief can be unpredictable in how and when it can affect you.

Sometimes we need a little bit of extra help to process our feelings and move forward with our lives.

Our Bereavement Support Groups provide a safe place for us to be able to discuss and validate how you may be feeling.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and bereavement support groups can help people to talk about their loss and feelings openly with others that understand. By providing peer support and empathy, groups help people to feel less alone in what they are going through.

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

🎩 Local and Community History Month 🎩

Will and Harry learnt everything from their father William Henry, and the three of them ran the business throughout the First World War.

Harry was drafted into service, captured and held as a prisoner of war leaving his brother, Will, to run the family business due to their father’s ill health. The Wathall’s horses, that were used before motorised vehicles, were also taken to help with the war effort, leaving the firm with the minimum needed to conduct funerals.

William Henry passed away in 1918 aged 61 years, as this was before the end of the war, he sadly never saw his son Harry return home. Will took over the family business and was joined by his brother Harry upon his return.

Will and Harry, who had already lived through one World War, were about to live through the second.

Below is an image of a military funeral at Meynell Langley, this is believed to be in the 1920s. All veterans and mercenaries would wear their ranking uniform as a mark of respect and police often attended large funerals for safety.

Thank you to everyone for the kind comments and also for sharing your own stories and experiences with us from years gone by, we love to hear them.

💜 Funeral Planning 💜

A funeral plan is a way to arrange the funeral you want in advance, allowing you to outline your wishes, your way.

Our comprehensive and affordable funeral plans are a safe and simple way to plan ahead which can save your family worry and expense.

We pride ourselves in providing a caring and professional service. By planning your funeral with us, you will receive our local knowledge and expertise, which will provide peace of mind knowing that all your wishes are taken care of in advance.

Please contact us on 01332 345268 to discuss your requirements – without obligation or commitment. We can either visit you at home or by appointment at any of our offices.
https://www.wathalls.co.uk/fun.../how-to-pre-plan-a-funeral/

💜 Thank you 💜

Since we were founded back in 1858, we have always prided ourselves in offering a very high standard of service. Today there are over 30 members of staff providing the traditional, dignified, quality of service which the people of Derby, Burton on Trent and the surrounding areas have come to expect.

It always means a lot to us when a family, during one of the hardest times in their lives, goes out of their way to thank us.

Comments like this make our day.
https://www.wathalls.co.uk/

💛 Upcoming Grief Journey Programme 💛

Our May Grief Journey Programme is FULLY BOOKED! There’s still some space on the June programme - running Monday’s 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th, 2pm - 4pm in Derby - but places are filling up fast, so book soon to avoid disappointment.

For more information or to book your place please visit https://www.wathalls.co.uk/berea.../grief-journey-programme/

www.wathalls.co.uk

🎩 Local and Community History Month 🎩

As Derby’s longest-established funeral directors, we have a long and fascinating history. To celebrate Local and Community History Month we have been re-visiting our archives and we will be sharing a few snippets of our own family history.

Originally established as a cabinet making business by Leonard Wathall, in 1858 Leonard’s son, George decided to diversify into funerals after the untimely death of his son Anthony, aged 2, thus founding G. Wathall & Son Ltd.

Unfortunately, we have no photographs of George, who sadly died in 1898, just 40 years after establishing the business, leaving his son William Henry, to take over the firm. William Henry’s two sons Will and Harry eventually joined the company – learning from their father, and the three of them ran the business through the trials of the First World War.

During our research into our family tree, we quickly learned that the Wathall family, like many others during this time period, named their children after the previous generations, making it incredibly difficult to keep track of who is who!

Read more about our family history here: https://www.wathalls.co.uk/about-us/our-family-history/

🔎 Branch Spotlight Chaddesden 🔍

Managed by long-standing Wathall’s employee Sarah Yeomans, our Chaddesden branch was officially opened in June 2022 and has been serving the local community ever since.

Before opening, the branch underwent extensive refurbishment to provide a comfortable and easily accessible environment where families can feel at ease as they pre-plan or arrange funerals, and visit their loved one in the Chapel of Rest.

The branch also has sample memorials and all the information available for our sister company, Art Stone Memorials, providing families with all they need to choose a lasting memorial to their loved one.
https://www.wathalls.co.uk/contact-wathalls/chaddesden/

🫖 Time for a Cuppa - Dementia UK 🫖

Time for a Cuppa is Dementia UK's annual tea party, which this year will take place between Wednesdays 1st - 8th May.

The charity explains “By the time you’ve boiled your kettle, another person will have developed dementia.

Over 944,000 people in the UK are affected by the condition – and if someone you love is living with dementia, you’re living with it too.

At Dementia UK, we believe every family facing dementia should have the support of a specialist nurse – but right now, we can’t reach everyone who needs us.

Making Time for a Cuppa can change that. We need you to make, bake and brew to raise vital funds for families facing dementia.”

You can find out more information about their important work by visiting www.dementiauk.org/

🌼 Dandelions Bereavement Support for May 🌼

Our informal and welcoming Dandelions Bereavement Support Groups meet monthly in Derby and Ashbourne to offer support and guidance through your grief.

All sessions our are free, and anyone is welcome to join us, regardless of how long ago your loss occurred or whether or not Wathall’s arranged your loved one’s funeral.

For more detail please visit https://www.wathalls.co.uk/.../bereavement-support-groups/

❤️ Creating a Personal Memorial ❤️

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 loss.

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

Click the link below to read our bereavement support coordinator, Fay Bloor’s, blog on creating a lasting memorial.

https://www.wathalls.co.uk/creating-a-lasting-memorial/

🌼 Grief Quote 🌼

There are no right or wrong ways to grieve, grief is as individual as yourself and the person you are missing, be accepting of what you feel and work through it without judgement from yourself or anyone else.

For details of our bereavement services please visit our website: https://www.wathalls.co.uk/bereavement-support/

👩 Week in the Life of Anita Fenton – Borrowash 👩

Anita started at Wathall's in January 2018, spending her first year at the Derby office before she became the Borrowash Branch Manager in January 2019. She looks after the family’s needs when arranging the funeral for their loved ones, from start to finish offering a personal service that can be adjusted to suit the families wishes.

She says that the "best part of the job is knowing that you have helped a family through one of the most difficult times in their life, and carried out their wishes or the wishes of their loved one. Coming from a retail management background, I wanted a change and to come away from that industry into a role that would be focused on helping people and developing relationships with the people I meet. Wathall’s is a well-established family business and I love working for such a well-respected family company which also allows more time for me to spend with my own family."

https://www.wathalls.co.uk/a-week-in-the-life-of-anita-fenton-wathalls-borrowash-branch-manager/

💛 Heritage Wood Contemplation Area 💛

Heritage Wood is a beautiful natural space that is open 365 days a year. There we’ve sponsored a peaceful contemplation area that is home to our six foot Dandelion, purchased with donations from the Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Committee back in 2018, providing the local community with a serene place to reflect on precious memories with their loved ones.

The wood provides a beautiful setting for the whole family to wander, rest and reflect. For more information visit: https://www.heritage-wood.co.uk/

💜 Funeral Planning – a plan to suit your needs 💜

From a traditional funeral to a no-fuss direct cremation without a service, we can tailor a funeral plan to suits you. We can discuss these at our premises or in your home, at a time that is convenient for you. If you’d prefer to discuss this over the phone or via email, we can assist with this too.

You can tell us about any preferences you have in mind – the type of funeral you would like to have, hymns, music or any other personal touches – and we’ll make sure your plan takes these into account.

Please visit our website for more information about how to pre-plan a funeral https://www.wathalls.co.uk/funeral-planning/how-to-pre-plan-a-funeral/

🎩 Family History 🎩

Here are 2 pictures taken nearly 100 years apart!

They are of our coffin workshop. In the first, all our coffins were made in our workshop from scratch. These days, we buy in the coffins, made to size as required, from a local company, J C Walwyn & Sons, based in Ashbourne, and then line and finish them to the families instructions in the original workshop.

Read more about our family history here: https://www.wathalls.co.uk/about-us/our-family-history

💛 Let’s Talk About… navigating your grief journey 💛

When someone you love passes away, coming to terms with loss and your ‘new normal’ can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to know where to start.

Our Dandelions Bereavement Support service offers various options, from 1:1 counselling to support groups and programmes, providing various types and levels of support.

If you’re unsure where to start, our Bereavement Support Coordinator, Fay Bloor, is on hand to help you find the best service for you.

For more information on what we offer, please visit our website via the link below, or contact Fay on [email protected] or 01332 345268.

https://www.wathalls.co.uk/bereavement-support/