Rosie and Lisa gave my mother the most beautiful and genuinely lovefilled funeral I could have imagined. Rather than the traditional dour, formal experience, this was deeply touching and memorable in every detail, from removal of the body to the departure ceremony I felt everything was held with sincere compassion. Myself and my partner were welcomed to be as involved in the whole process as we wished, and to design as much or as little of the experience as we chose, with much flexibility, including timescale.
A funeral can also be a wonderfully memorable experience, and my mother’s was certainly that. I am deeply impressed by Rosie and Lisa’s loveful professionalism, and very reasonable pricing, I can’t thank them enough.
I highly recommend Natural Endings to anyone, but especially if you are looking to create something personal, non-traditional, ethical, and environmentally conscious. The support, guidance and service we received from Rosie and Lisa was exceptional. In the midst of a devastating tragedy I was grateful that the person I love was in their care. It is clear that they are dedicated and passionate about their work, and commit to understanding the people they work with.
Rosie and Lisa listened carefully to all our considerations and were available at all times to discuss things. All communication was clear, kind and considerate. They were a stabilising presence at a difficult time. Even when certain circumstances beyond their control presented challenges, they were adaptable, consulted me throughout, and I felt reassured that they were calmly in control. Me and my family were heard, included and informed throughout. Nothing was assumed. Everything was done with us, rather than to us. At no point did I feel like ‘just another customer’. They really connected with the hurt, beauty and meaning of our situation, and applied their expertise with gentle kindness to ensure that we were able to create a healing, meaningful funeral for the person we love.
I cannot thank you enough for all of your efforts and for helping to make the celebration of my mums life such a wonderful event. It really was a perfect send off and properly reflected the wonderful person we have lost. Everyone (literally!!) commented on how lovely the whole service was and how together everyone felt.
We will never forget the final moments at the cremator. It was a hugely spiritual – if also slightly surreal! – experience. And we were all glad for it.
Your thoughtfulness and kindness throughout the lead up to the funeral were a source of enormous comfort and made an otherwise difficult situation so very much easier to deal with.
I can’t give Natural Endings enough praise. The funeral arrangements for my father were impeccable. Rosie and Lisa were personal, sensitive and professional from the first phone call to the last moments at Manchester Crematorium.
They gave us choice and control and enabled us to give my dad a send off that was just the right balance of traditional, and unique. They also managed to meet the needs of members of our family who were humanist, non-religious, spiritual and Buddhist in a personalised way. The individual coffin choice was just right.
I’m especially personally grateful for Rosie’s thoughtful support around helping to prepare my dad’s body. On the day of the funeral people remarked that it was a powerful, moving event that was just perfect for all.
Thank you again Rosie and Lisa.
My mum Bee, passed away just two months into the first lockdown when we were all still trying to work out what we were allowed to do to celebrate her life. Rosie was hugely empathic, knowledgeable and able to suggest practical steps to help us move towards a compliant, outdoor celebration which she led very ably and also, arranged for an irreplaceable video record of the event for subsequent viewing by non-attendees, friends and family abroad. Rosie helped us through the grieving process as well as the organisational and I recommend her services whole-heartedly.
I had no idea what to do after experiencing a bereavement. Rosie visited me at home and I was immediately encouraged by the innovative suggestions she made. After agreeing what format the celebration of my partners life should take, Rosie and Lisa arranged everything. They were available to talk to throughout the whole process and nothing was too much trouble for them.The event was wonderful, refreshingly unstuffy, in amazing premises. After the ceremony, we sat outside in a charming courtyard. The food, drink, live music, booklet, slideshow and Roland, the celebrant, were all spot-on.
I could not have chosen a Funeral Directors who were more caring and compassionate as Rosie and Lisa. My wife’s funeral arrangements were quite complex in nature and we’re carried out with total professionalism. Having worked in the industry myself for many years I would highly recommend Natural Endings as a refreshing alternative to the so called traditional funeral directors.
Highly recommended by the Natural Death Centre! We have received many letters from families who could not speak more positively about the service received by Natural Endings Funeral Services.
I felt great warmth and compassion from Rosie, Natural Endings, when I went to visit my Grand-Mother in the Chapel of Rest. I greatly appreciated being able to spend quiet, unrushed time with her, and it was an honour also to assist Rosie in the final shrouding of my Grand-Mother and the closing of her willow coffin.
Thank you Rosie for this and your gentleness. It was greatly appreciated by myself and my family
Everything on the day was perfect and I cannot thank you enough for your professionalism and the way that you handled everything. Many of the people commented that it was the best funeral they had ever attended – thank you so much.
Rosie was wonderful. From the first time we contacted her she was kind and gentle.
Throughout the whole process, she made us feel confident and at ease with all the practicalities. We changed our minds a lot about the type of funeral service we wanted and she accommodated us without any problem in all our requests. Even last minute requests were responded to and dealt with positively. We chose the cream wool coffin and if you can say a coffin looks beautiful, it did, with a posy of English flowers on top.
Rosie and her pallbearers were professional, elegant and supportive on the day of the funeral. The men were gentle giants.They were all so sensitive with us and with our Mum. Supporting us as a family to carry our Mum in and out of church holding the coffin by the side handles.
The price of the funeral was extremely reasonable and we were given all the costs up front, no hidden or added on costs
On behalf of all my family I would like to thank you for all your help, kindness and patience. The funeral was exactly what we hoped for, a joyous celebration of F…..’s life and in such a peaceful, beautiful place. The deer that came to look at us was wonderful (how did you manage that?)
We used Natural Endings when a member of our family died unexpectedly. During a time when we were shell shocked, numb and emotionally disoriented Rosie provided a gentle, clear, beautiful and reassuring service for us all. She was like a guiding light within a fog of grief.
Rosie helped us work out what we wanted, and patiently facilitated changes of mind along the way. The funeral gathering was during Covid restrictions and Rosie was clear about what was possible within government guidance whilst giving as many options as possible.
Rosie’s sensitive and compassionate manner combined with her knowledge and experience meant that we felt safe within a bewildering and painful time. She kept us informed during the planning process and on the day of the funeral gathering her facilitation was perfect: incredibly sensitive, professional and respectful.
It simply could not have been any better. I cannot recommend Natural Endings highly enough.
Thank you. Mum’s funeral was just how she would have wanted it to be. Many people have said how beautiful it was. I was hugely re-assured to find a female funeral director to take care of Mum. Your very human approach removed the fusty top-hat and gloom that I feared.
From my first phone call to Natural Endings we felt well informed, and after further contact you were very accommodating to all members of the family and their wants and needs. Coming to the house to talk about my Dad was great as it made everything feel more personal and the service was delivered perfectly- exactly what we’d hoped for.
I have nothing but praise for the way I was treated and the considerable care which was taken with the arrangements for my Mother’s funeral. My expectations were exceeded many fold. Despite the sorrow there was joy – making the funeral a fitting tribute to my Mother and a celebration of her ninety years.
Natural Endings are the bees knees of funeral directors, and we need the bees (and their knees). When my husband died far, far too young I, and our children, wanted to celebrate his life not just mourn his death. Rosie was not phased by my tearful request for a fun funeral with a cardboard coffin. She was everything you could have hoped for. She knew a jazz band to play Stuart in and us out. Rosie took the trouble to give me time and space after the funeral and brought his ashes to my allotment on a sunny afternoon a few weeks later. Her compassion, understanding, friendliness are all without equal. Her attention to detail and ability to “read” people is without compare. The world needs more ‘Rosies’
I was guided through a difficult time with exactly the right amount of empathy and understanding. Difficult decisions were made easier by the thoughtful way ideas and choices were presented.
Rosie has supported us with family funerals over the last few years. She is always calm and professional and has a wonderful, caring, approach that really offers you confidence that everything is in a “safe pair of hands”, including your loved ones. Nothing is too much trouble and Rosie takes the time to listen to what you would like to happen. Definitely recommend to others.
