Venues and officiants
With years of experience working with venues and officiants, we’re on hand to help you find those that best suit the values and beliefs of the person who has died.
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Planning the Service
There are a few aspects you’ll need to think about when planning the service. It can be a comfort at this time to plan a very personalised funeral honouring the life, likes and hobbies of the person who has died.
Here to help you plan the funeral service
We’ll happily meet with the family to go through the arrangements and get everyone’s opinion on both necessary additions and aspects you feel are less important, so that all relevant points of view are taken into consideration. We’ve ensured there are plenty of options for you to choose from, to make the service truly bespoke.
Below are the first things to consider when planning the service. We will be there throughout to ensure you haven’t missed anything important.
Coffins
There are many different types and styles of coffin to choose from. We will guide you through the options available so that you can make the right choice for your loved one.
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Funeral flowers
We work with a florist who provides beautiful, high-quality floral tributes. You can choose from a large range of designs that may include the favourite flowers of the person who has died.
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Funeral transport
Whether you would like a black hearse, a horse-drawn carriage, a motorcycle hearse or a different type of vehicle, we’ll work with you to arrange this. We’ll also discuss any specific route you have in mind, and how you would like to travel.
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Funeral stationery and funeral notices
As well as a personalised printed order of service, we offer attendance cards, thank you cards and books of condolence, designed to your preference. If you would like, we can place a suitable funeral notice in a newspaper on your behalf.
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Funeral catering
From a buffet at your home to a fully staffed service at your preferred local venue, we’ll discuss your catering requirements and work with highly rated local businesses to ensure every taste and dietary need is accounted for.
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Funeral prices – how much will the funeral cost?
The cost of a funeral varies, depending on the type of funeral and the different aspects of the service you choose. When we discuss the arrangements with you, we’ll provide you with an itemised estimate and explain each cost. All our prices are transparent, with no hidden extras or fees.
Our price list can be downloaded and we are happy to go through the costs with you.
Funeral arrangement appointment
When you come in for your appointment, you will be met by one of our friendly funeral arrangers, or receptionists if at our Reading head office.
You’ll be taken into a private room where the funeral arranger will gently guide you through the arrangements and completing any required forms. We’ll go through some questions to help us create an individual funeral suitable for your loved one. Usually, this will take an hour to an hour and a half however you can take the time you need.
A key thing to arrange is the date and time for the funeral.1 To allow the funeral arranger to check availability and make a provisional booking, we will ask you:
- Whether the funeral will be a burial or cremation
- Where you would like the service to take place and if you have anyone in mind to lead the service
- If you have a preferred date for the funeral
- The cortege for the funeral – where you would like the hearse to leave from and if you require any limousines.
The funeral arranger will sympathetically take you through the other aspects of making the funeral arrangements, and provide you with an itemised estimate of the costs based on the choices you make. This will show the deposit amount which you can pay at the appointment or up to 4 working days before the funeral. An invoice for the balance will be sent to you after the funeral has taken place.2
We will also ask whether you wish to visit your loved one in our Chapel of Rest. This is a personal choice. Some people like to do this and say a private goodbye, whilst others prefer not to and remember their loved one as they were when they were alive.
1, 2 If you have chosen a direct cremation, it will take place at Reading Crematorium with the date and times chosen by us. Full payment is due at the time of booking.
Once you have had your appointment, our team will work carefully to complete all the arrangements. They will keep you updated so you have the reassurance that everything will be as requested for the funeral.
Usually the next step is for the person who will be leading the service (officiant) to get in touch with you to discuss the details of the service such as music, hymns, readings and tributes. Both they and your arranger are there to help you with this.
If you have not already done so, you will need to register the death. The death has to be registered before the funeral can take place.
Depending on your choices, you may want to bring in clothes, photos, and visit your loved one in our Chapel of Rest. We will provide you with a receipt for any items brought in, and can copy treasured photos whilst you wait so that you can keep them with you.
When you come in for your appointment, you will be met by one of our friendly funeral arrangers, or receptionists if at our Reading head office.
You’ll be taken into a private room where the funeral arranger will gently guide you through the arrangements and completing any required forms. We’ll go through some questions to help us create an individual funeral suitable for your loved one. Usually, this will take an hour to an hour and a half however you can take the time you need.
A key thing to arrange is the date and time for the funeral.1 To allow the funeral arranger to check availability and make a provisional booking, we will ask you:
- Whether the funeral will be a burial or cremation
- Where you would like the service to take place and if you have anyone in mind to lead the service
- If you have a preferred date for the funeral
- The cortege for the funeral – where you would like the hearse to leave from and if you require any limousines.
The funeral arranger will sympathetically take you through the other aspects of making the funeral arrangements, and provide you with an itemised estimate of the costs based on the choices you make. This will show the deposit amount which you can pay at the appointment or up to 4 working days before the funeral. An invoice for the balance will be sent to you after the funeral has taken place.2
We will also ask whether you wish to visit your loved one in our Chapel of Rest. This is a personal choice. Some people like to do this and say a private goodbye, whilst others prefer not to and remember their loved one as they were when they were alive.
1, 2 If you have chosen a direct cremation, it will take place at Reading Crematorium with the date and times chosen by us. Full payment is due at the time of booking.
Once you have had your appointment, our team will work carefully to complete all the arrangements. They will keep you updated so you have the reassurance that everything will be as requested for the funeral.
Usually the next step is for the person who will be leading the service (officiant) to get in touch with you to discuss the details of the service such as music, hymns, readings and tributes. Both they and your arranger are there to help you with this.
If you have not already done so, you will need to register the death. The death has to be registered before the funeral can take place.
Depending on your choices, you may want to bring in clothes, photos, and visit your loved one in our Chapel of Rest. We will provide you with a receipt for any items brought in, and can copy treasured photos whilst you wait so that you can keep them with you.
Paying for the funeral online
We’ve made it easy for you to pay online with us.
Once you have confirmed the funeral you would like there is a deposit to pay. We’ll send an invoice to you for the remaining balance after the funeral.
The day of the funeral
The order of events on the day of the funeral will have been discussed and agreed in advance, but we will also be in touch with you the day before the funeral to confirm the plans and ensure you know exactly what to expect. On the day itself, we’ll be there to support and guide you through.
Ways to remember your loved one
Memorial stones
Creating a memorial provides a permanent symbol of remembrance of the person it’s dedicated to, providing loved ones with a place to visit.
You might want a new memorial stone for a cemetery or a churchyard; or you could have a memorial and would like to add an inscription or are concerned about its condition. As memorial masonry specialists, AB Walker we can guide you through everything you need to know to.
View memorial stones
Urns, keepsakes and memorial jewellery
You may want to honour the memory of your loved one in other ways such as with a keepsake or an item of jewellery.
If you have opted for a cremation, you might like to have all or some of the ashes to keep.
We’ve carefully chosen a range of urns, keepsakes and memorial jewellery – all available in our online shop.
View shop
Supporting you
Our support to you extends beyond arranging the funeral of a loved one. From our loss and bereavement support to sharing information and contacts to help with practical aspects following the death of a loved one, AB Walker offers comprehensive aftercare support to you and your family.
Find your nearest branch
Local branches in Bracknell, Caversham, Henley-on-Thames, Maidenhead, Reading, Thatcham, Tilehurst, Wokingham and Woodley.
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To speak to a member of our team call us on 0118 957 3650.
You can contact us 24/7
Email or call us with your questions, queries and requirements. For urgent assistance, call us on 0118 957 3650 24 hours a day, seven days a week.