When a loved one passes away, arranging a fitting farewell becomes a significant part of the grieving process. As Funeral Directors, we do our best to help families and close friends navigate this challenging time by providing support, guidance, and our expertise in organising funeral services. We work across Dundee and St Andrews to provide various types of funerals tailored to individual needs and preferences, from religious ceremonies to secular celebrations of life.

In our local area of Dundee and across Scotland, residents can choose from a range of funeral and service options and there is generally not one expected way for the proceedings to run. As Dundee also has a rich cultural diversity, our team at James Ashton & Son are able to offer service options that are inclusive of different religions, spiritual affiliations, and secular points of view. Explore the full list of options below:

 

Traditional / Full-Service Funerals

Traditional funerals (also known as full-service funerals) remain a popular choice amongst many people in the Dundee area. They typically involve a formal ceremony conducted either at a church, a crematorium, or a funeral home. During this type of funeral, the Funeral Director takes care of essential arrangements such as transporting the deceased, handling paperwork, and coordinating with religious or secular officiants. Traditional funerals often include elements such as a eulogy (a tribute or celebration of someone’s life), music, prayers or poetry, and a committal ceremony. For a traditional funeral, it is also common to not only choose the burial coffin, but also the memorial for the burial site. 

 

Cremation Services

Cremation has become an increasingly popular choice in Dundee as well as the rest of the UK – a survey from 2022 revealed that the average cremation rate in the UK has risen to 78.4% (up from 77.05% in 2017). Scotland currently has a lower average cremation rate of 70.7%, but it’s still the overall most common type of service in Scotland. With this option, your dedicated Funeral Director will assist you in organising the service proceedings, paperwork, and transport, as well as any other final touches. Similar to a traditional funeral, a service will usually be held before the cremation where people will have the opportunity to say their final goodbyes. It’s important to note that with cremations, there can be more flexibility with the timing as there are fewer parties to consider in the overall organisation process. Following a cremation, your loved one’s ashes can be scattered at a place of your choosing or stored in an urn.

 

Direct Cremations

An alternative to a standard cremation service is a direct cremation, whereby there is no service and close friends and family are invited to the crematorium only. This is usually a more personal and private ceremony with smaller numbers of attendees.

 

Eco / Green Funerals:

In recent years, green funerals have become a popular choice for people who are more environmentally conscious as they provide an eco-friendly alternative to more traditional funerals through the choice of materials and location of the service. This may involve natural burials in designated woodland areas, the use of biodegradable coffins or urns made from sustainable materials such as willow, bamboo, or pine, and the incorporation of other eco-friendly practices throughout the funeral service such as planting a tree in place of a stone memorial. Green funerals allow families to honour their loved ones while also contributing to the preservation of the environment. 

 

Alternative & Personalised Funerals:

As Funeral Directors, we recognise that every person is unique and we uphold that their funeral should reflect their individuality. Alternative or personalised funerals help celebrate the life of the deceased in a way that captures their personality, interests, and passions without being bound by traditions. Our dedicated team will work with you to incorporate your loved one’s favourite music, photos, personal mementoes, and lots more into the service. This can include funerals with bright colours instead of the traditional dark tones, military funerals, or other celebrations of your loved one’s life and career. Personalised funerals can also be held in non-traditional venues, such as gardens, family homes, or even on a beach, offering a more intimate and personal setting for remembrance.

 

Funeral Directors provide invaluable support to families during a time of loss, offering a range of funeral options to suit individual needs. Whether opting for a traditional service, a cremation, a green funeral, or a personalised tribute, our team will ensure every aspect of the funeral is handled with care, compassion, and professionalism. 

 

Speak to our team at your nearest James Ashton & Son branch:

 

Planning a funeral can be a daunting task, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. Your dedicated James Ashton & Son Funeral Director will be there to help you along every step of the way! They will work with you to create a funeral that is personal and meaningful, and they will be there to offer support to you and your family during this difficult time.