Gateway Funeral Services: Simple and unique - it’s your choice
The initial popularity of unattended cremations arose mainly as a response to the ‘cost of living crisis’ which struck in the early part of 2022, say Gateway Funeral Services.
Yet now inflation has returned to normal, demand for this simpler way of saying goodbye continues to grow, with the latest Sun Life ‘Cost of Dying’ report showing nine per cent of people chose it in 2023, up from seven per cent the year before.
“Direct cremations are becoming more and more popular for a variety of reasons,” said Lucy Hitchcock of Gateway Funeral Services.
“It can be things such as people not wanting a fuss or wishing to celebrate a loved one’ s life away from a crematorium environment.
“Many opt for a different venue with friends and family, sometimes with a celebrant sharing memories and information.
“Some choose a meal, a picnic, a party: the choice is theirs and the opportunities are endless.”
Gateway have responded to the trend by offering the option of a private service at their chapel of rest prior to the unattended cremation.
Nevertheless, the lower cost remains an attraction – and many big providers are vigorously advertising their services on that basis.
“One of the national companies is running TV adverts for its unattended cremations priced at £1,395, ” said Lucy.
“However , we can offer the same option for £999 and, furthermore, your loved one will be looked after and cremated locally, rather than hundreds of miles away from their home as is the case with the big firms.
“We are getting more and more people asking us about this option: it is highly affordable and it allows them to celebrate in a way that’ s unique to them – the best of both worlds.”
To find out more about entrusting your funeral arrangements to this proud family company, go to www.gatewayfunerals.co.uk or telephone 01924 682195.
Established in 2008 by husband-and-wife Richard and Emma Arnold, the Gateway team now includes their sons Bailey and Charlie alongside experienced operatives dedicated to offering clients a service tailored as closely as possible to their wishes.
For these and many other reasons, Gateway is cementing its place as the funeral directors of choice in the area, with clients regularly saying they have come to it having first approached a bigger-name provider.
This is a fine testament to everyone at Gateway, where there is a sense of pride in its independence and, as a consequence, its ability to go that extra mile to make a funeral exactly what the family desires.
Along with this strong commitment to choice and compassion is an equal determination to give clients the very best value for money – also made possible by the company’s modest size and lack of costly overheads.
Gateway’s approach is to let customers know what every element will cost and, if desired, how to make savings without compromising the funeral in any way.
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Website: gatewayfunerals.co.uk
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