Earley Funeralcare

5 Sonika Hartley 3rd Jul 2023

Made the whole process simple. Nothing was too much trouble. Would definitely recommend.

5 Jacqueline Jarvis 3rd Jul 2023

The team of Shelley and Sally were very compassionate and made what could have been a very difficult time  so much easier than we had imagined. Attention to detail ensuring that we had enough time to cover our options. Shelley’s recommendation for Rebecca as our celebrant was just perfect and fitted our requirements perfectly, speaking as though she knew our Dad personally. Would thoroughly recommend.

3 Valarie Fountain 22nd Jun 2023

Very disappointed with the service we received 

5 Ben Clarke 19th Jun 2023

Brilliant and efficient funeral directors. 

5 Susan Tweedie 19th Jun 2023

Everyone was kind and considerate. They were so helpful and respectful. The service provided was first class and could not have been better. The  funeral service was lovely and beautifully done.

5 Steven Cook 19th Jun 2023

Very helpfull and understanding did mum proud.
Made us all feel at ease at a very difficult time.

3 Theresa Newman 17th Jan 2023

When we arrived, Toniann was very warm and friendly but did not have the details of Dads Funeral plan as she was waiting on a document from us. I feel maybe this appointment could have been postponed until she was in receipt of the Document and Funeral plan and Dads wishes as she was unable to advise if Dad had any wishes.



Communication was poor throughout, a couple of examples below:-

Yvonne telephoned and spoke to Toniann to say the flowers had been ordered and gave her the details of the florist. I spoke to Toniann that same day and she told me that she had spoken to Yvonne, yet a couple of days later we received an email from her chasing the details of the flowers. Yvonne phoned her again.

I approved the Order of Service, my Brother Ray made a couple of changes added a photo and the Logo, I assumed this was approved between Ray and Toniann after the changes were made. Toniann then sent an email a few days later to say she needed approval by the Monday Morning. I had already approved the order of service before the additional changes, this needed to be checked with Ray as he made them. Why not pick up the phone and call Ray, everyone wants to hide behind an email these days.

I sent a word document of the plan for the day, yet Toniann phoned me to ask me what the plan was? she obviously did not read the document.

I was just getting in my car to drive to Dads the day before the funeral and I got a call from Lez, the Funeral Driver to ask me what the plans were ? all he knew was that he was picking us up at 12.30, he wasn't sure of the address. I said did you receive the plan of the day I sent to Toniann? he said no. He didn't have a clue about the details, I gave him dads address, The Travellers Rest address and who the Pall bearers were and who was traveling in the limousine. I had to go through this with him over the phone the day before when I had already put it in writing, surely this was Toniann's Job

I felt there was very little guidance in regards to the Order of Service and the Eulogy. I was hoping that the printers would go through some design ideas and show us some examples. how do display the photos, what we could include etc, I googled examples myself. If you were a person that was not computer literate you probably would struggle with the Eulogy and Order of Service and what to select in regards to poems, hymns and family memories.

Ray had told Toniann that he had power of attorney and was looking looking after Dads Estate, However, Toniann sent the invoices to me, I have then had to go to the post office, buy a stamp and pop them in the post to my brother Ray, Toniann could of just sent them to Ray directly, not very helpful.

My partners father died a few weeks later, Organising his funeral was so much easier and nicer. The Funeral Company sent us a Link and all we had to do was download the photos and the Poems, Eulogy, any other additional information. We could select a charity, music, we could select a candle and choose how many days we would like it to burn for, order flowers. order cars. all information was held on this one link, this link was then used by the funeral home to put the order of service together check the eulogy, really took the stress away from us. The link then is sent to those that cannot attend and they could watch a live stream from the link. We also selected 25 photos that would be displayed in a loop during the ceremony, what a lovely touch

I felt I lead and organised most of the Funeral with very little guidance. I have only ever organised one before so can't really make much of a comparison really, but having just completed my father-in-laws, I think you certainly have room for improvement and better ways of helping people rather than leaving them to there own devises when they are already in an emotional state

4 David Hazell 17th Jan 2023

Very good but our first meeting was in their local office that they had closed and was very cold as there didn't appear to be any heating on. But their attention to detail and organising and emotional support was excellent.

3 Mark Forbes 3rd Jan 2023

 It sure why Earley Funeral care is being rated as it was shut and we had to use the Reading branch
Reading were excellent though

2 Nazia Bashir 14th Dec 2022

The Funeral on the day from beginning to end was beautiful. The team when above and beyond to offer such a beautiful service. Alister who is based at the Portman Road office was amazing throughout, he is an asset to co-op and for this I would give 5 stars.

The flower arrangement was beautiful, however, different to what I had ordered and seen in the picture.

The only downfall was how unorganised the Earley office were, Jessica had original confirmed she had a minister to conduct the funeral, the same minister that had conducted Claire's mothers funeral, I even call the office and spoke to Jessica to confirm that everything was book and the minister was also booked, to be told by Jessica yes the minister was booked, it was all booked, but a few days before the funeral we were informed that they have no minister at all and there was nothing they could do, no one was available but they will see what they can do. Final they managed to get a priest who was not a minister.

If it was clearly stated at the outset that the deceased is a strict Catholic and has requested for a catholic funeral conducted by a minister, why then was the minister replaced by a priest. The priest Mark was amazing, he provided a beautiful service but he was not a catholic minister.

I feel this is just unacceptable, specially when a funeral is a special day also such a sensitive and stressful day, to be then told a few days before the funeral that they do not have a minister to conduct the funeral is just unacceptable and not on at all, you can imagine the additional stress this had caused, thinking is the funeral actually going to take place and all the people that were going to the attend the funeral that had come from far, what do we tell them, the people who have arranged to take time off work to attend the funeral.

The fees charged by co-op are extremely high, however, to then fail to offer the service that should have been offered and promised, is disappointing.

5 Emilia Hill 12th Dec 2022

They offered a great service start to finish 

5 Julie Freebody 28th Nov 2022

Excellent 

5 Alison Candlin 28th Nov 2022

Completely caring and professional, helping me through every step. Thank you.

5 Ian Blagrove 22nd Nov 2022

Very professional, thoughtful and kind. Perfect provider.

5 Trevor Pitman 22nd Nov 2022

Having to organise the funeral from France I found Earley Funeral Care very helpful and sympathetic to all my father’s wants for mother’s funeral. 

5 Brian Hawkins 17th Nov 2022

Earley Funeralcare were very easy to deal with, they were understanding, considerate and professional in all their interactions with us, from our appointment with Jess to book the funeral, to the staff who attended on the funeral day. The funeral director called us the day before the funeral to ensure we were happy with everything and also a day or so following the funeral to follow up on the day. The only thing which could be improved is that Jess needs an assistant as she is extremely busy but this did not impact on arranging the funeral and she is to be praised for her organisation, hard work and caring manner with us.

5 Terence Rogers 14th Nov 2022

After my first meeting with Jess I felt more relaxed as I knew I was in good hands. Same goes for the guys on the day of the crematorium.

4 John Symonds 20th Oct 2022

Funeral went very smoothly and well.

4 Janice Howell 18th Oct 2022

Jess provided an excellent service, very efficient - however  the customer services let the services down as I rang them for  4 days prior to the funeral and requested a call back, so I’m not sure if the messages were passed onto the Earley office ????  

5 Richard Jinks 4th Oct 2022

The whole event was handled professionally and with great compassion and friendliness. I can’t praise them enough.

5 Simon Osborne 3rd Oct 2022

Excellent service from Jess, Sally & Team at the CO-OP in Woodley. 
Everything you would want for support at a very emotional time. 
Communication & planning were excellent. 

5 Ronald Squires 21st Sep 2022

excellent service, prompt attention, all my late wife's wishes were fulfilled

5 Kevin Saunders 20th Sep 2022

Very good service and very carefully 

5 David Knott 15th Sep 2022

Very attentive at all stages, all aspects thoroughly discussed, and never felt pressurised.

5 Tony Horsfall 13th Sep 2022

Helped the family from start to finish very professional