Co-op Funeralcare, Chester-Le-Street

5 Jacqueline Hickman 3rd May 2022

Phill was brilliant , was a beautiful cremation 4 my mum, very professional service from everyone 

4 Pauline Shevills 3rd May 2022

Initial contact through call centre was a little disappointing. However, the staff who came to take the body were very kind. Our contact, Phil, was attentive and professional making it a much less stressful experience than I had feared. 

5 Heather Oxley 25th Apr 2022

Everything was excellent and staff were very kind and understanding

5 John Gilder 20th Apr 2022

Very efficient, thoughtful. Thankyou 

5 Simon Joseph Parker 13th Apr 2022

Great service when you really require it....Friendly helpful staff.....Every detail covered in a professional and dignified manner.....Special mention to Phil....Catherine and Hilary who combined to make the day go smoothly and professionally as these occasions can.

4 Julie Logan 12th Apr 2022

Very pleased with the service from the coop. Everything dealt with compassionately.

5 Hilda Armstrong 4th Apr 2022

The care and compassion recieved from Phil and the team based at Chester le street was second to none
Phil made a very difficult and distressing time much easier to cope with
His suggestions for the service were very much appreciated and gave the funeral added personal touches which we would not have thought about
Hilary was absolutely brilliant putting us at our ease
She was compassionate and caring and her eulogy delivery was first class
Our grateful thanks to everyone for all their help and support
Alan and Hilda Armstrong MBE

5 Christine Dodds 4th Apr 2022

Everyone was so professional and so caring nothing was too much trouble. I would personally like to thank Kathryn for her help and compassion at such a difficult time.

5 Marion Hoyle 29th Mar 2022

Catherine was extremely supportive helpful and efficient.  Guiding us through the processes at a very difficult time She is a credit to your organisation and would not hesitate to recommend the co- op Chester Le street to others

5 Tony Buglass 28th Mar 2022

Amazing service from Phil and the team. Can't recommend enough.

5 Carol Bamburgh 22nd Mar 2022

Katherine helped guide me through and kept me informed of each stage in the planning of my mothers funeral. I was very satisfied with the service I received throughout, from co op funeralcare at Chester le Street.

5 Glynis Dunn 21st Mar 2022

From our first contact we had all the help and support we could need. All the staff were helpful and nothing was a trouble to them. A very big thank you to everyone who took care of my mam while she was with you, and the beautiful send off she got. Many thanks

5 Annette Jammeh 21st Mar 2022

From start to finish there was not 1 fault or issue to be had. Excellent service provided by excellent people. All staff went above and beyond for my mam and her family that she left behind. There's really no words to explain how caring and professional these people are. Thanks to all at coop funeral care.

5 Lesley Walton 7th Mar 2022

Very approachable, professional staff. Nothing was too much trouble.  Thank you

5 Christine Gowland 7th Mar 2022

All staff were outstanding, we were all looked after so very well at a very sad time for our family.

5 Toni Elliott 7th Mar 2022

Excellent team of people :)

5 Jill Taylor 7th Mar 2022

Everything went well, and thank Phil and Father Paul for everything to run smoothly.

5 Deborah Reeman 28th Feb 2022

Sensitive and yet very professional service 
Team were excellent 

5 Paul Derek Redshaw 28th Feb 2022

Very caring and professional people couldn’t fault anything, took all the pressure off a very stressful time for us.

5 Frank Swan Green 22nd Feb 2022

The leadership and expertise of Phil was outstanding as were all his support staff who were equally impressive, helpful and caring in everything they did for us.
As a the family of our much loved brother John we all thought that the help given to us was absolutely superb and from our first meeting with Phil we were confident that all our requests and arrangements would be in place for the funeral day and they were. Thank you for all your kindness.

4 David Gordon 22nd Feb 2022

Made a difficult time pass easier 

5 Stephen Farnfield 15th Feb 2022

Thank you for everything we couldn't have asked for anything more. The staff where great and very helpful given that we had two "autistic" adolescent grandchildren who hadn't been to a funeral before and weren't sure how they'd react.
Once again a big thank you from all of Tony Farnfield's family.

3 Neil Meikle 12th Feb 2022

Given that a Funeral is a one-off opportunity to get the things right of greatest meaning to the person's loved ones, unfortunately what should have been small details as part of the Funeral Service itself, simply did not occur in the way they were supposed to do.
Prior to the day of the Funeral everything had gone exactly the way that it would have been chosen to be, and again, the only thing missing was the Family being asked a question to the effect of: "Is there anything that you would like to happen that you have not told us of so far?" While this again, in this instance, did not apply to anything prior to the Funeral Service itself, it potentially could have done. However, the question of note in this instance, therefore, would have been: "Are there any Family Members who would like to be pallbearers?" and unfortunately, this, or anything to the effect of, simply was not asked of the Family.
Regrettably, issues that should have been relatively small detail took on a major influence in what took place at the Funeral Service itself. A photo presentation that was produced by the Family of the loved-one, and was said by the Funeral Director to 'have been checked and works correctly' simply did not function as it should have done at the actual Funeral Service. Instead of a photo presentation of the loved-one showing throughout the Service, it was not until after the half-way point of the Service that the photo presentation display was actually shown. Unfortunately this was not the only error, the music that should have accompanied the gathering entering the Crematorium was the wrong music, and the procession had to be halted until the right piece of music was actually played. Resulting in around only half the piece of music actually being played.
In all, what should have been relatively 'finishing touches', and potentially seen as minor detail, took on major significance because they simply did not occur as they should have done. In terms of this review, certainly, what should have at least been a "Very Good" if not "Excellent" rating was spoilt by three notable issues that simply should not have occurred, or lack of a question being asked. While some may say that what did not happen correctly within the Service itself 'simply ruined it', this is not the case - a well put together plan that the Family wanted to occur, was not quite as it should have been. This did spoil what otherwise would have been a perfect Funeral Service and a fully-fitting Tribute to the Loved One themselves.

4 Margaret Kirton 9th Feb 2022

A very good service was provided. Staff were all very helpful and caring which made everything easier. 

4 Jill Kathryn Smith 7th Feb 2022

Generally happy with the service. There were a couple of minor occasions when communication wasn’t as good as it might have been, but mostly communication was good. All organisation was good and the day of the funeral was perfect.