Rayleigh Funeralcare

5 Mabel Louisa Hayward 17th Jan 2022

I could npot fault this service It was excellent from beginning to end Everyone went over and above whst 2as needed thank you

3 Tracey Vaughan 10th Jan 2022

Was fairly pleased with general arrangements. Was not informed about setting up a tribute page. 

When attending chapel of rest. It was in a quiet side room, but no seating. I had to ask for a seat for my mum

2 Christina Wood 29th Dec 2021

The Funeral Director himself was helpful and respectful, just before and on the day of my mother's funeral.

However, my experience of dealing with some of the people at the office in Rayleigh was chaotic and distressing. I spoke to various different people at the office and when I tried phoning, I was often passed all round the country as the phone lines were 'diverted'. One morning, when trying to get through to Rayleigh, I was passed to Southend, then to Pitsea and then to Manchester. With every phone call I had to explain all over again what I needed to speak to them about.

There was a lot of confusion about whether my mother's body would be brought to the Rayleigh Funeralcare. This did eventually happen and then, to my shock and horror, I had a phone call one day telling me that they could not get my mother's coffin in to the (so called) Chapel of Rest as the coffin would not go through the door. I was casually given the options of either her body being moved yet again - to a different Funeral care office or - to my absolute horror - I was told that they would take my mother's body out of the coffin, put the coffin in the Chapel of Rest and then put her body back into the coffin. The procedure would have to be reversed to get the coffin out. When I expressed my distress at such an upsetting proposal, they eventually got someone to do something to the door frame of the Chapel of Rest and (so they told me) the coffin then went in and out without a problem. I am not sure if I believe that this is what they really did.

I decided to go to visit my mother in the Chapel of Rest before her funeral. When I arrived, I was again shocked. This time I discovered that the "Chapel of Rest" was nothing more than a cupboard. There was only enough space for the coffin, a very small table and one chair. There were no windows. The 'door' had to be left open as, otherwise, I would have been sitting in a cupboard with my mother's coffin in an extremely claustrophobic atmosphere. While I was sitting there, with the door open, a woman kept walking past (presumably to get something) so I had no privacy.

I was asked by the Funeral Director, just before the funeral, whether we were going to have a "Visual Tribute" to my mother at the Crematorium, with digital photos being displayed on a screen. He also asked whether we were going to have a large photo of my mother next to the coffin at the crematorium and whether any family members would help to carry the coffin. The Funeral Director was unware that nobody at the Funeral Care office had previously asked whether we wanted any of this. Consequently, it was too late to arrange for it to happen. When I raised this issue, I was told that they had asked me - but they had not.

At a time of grieving the loss of my mother, having to deal with such chaos was distressing. Such incompetency should not happen.

5 Kevin Bell 22nd Dec 2021

Very pleased from start to finish.

5 Julie McCarthy 20th Dec 2021

Rachel in the Rayleigh branch was my primary point of contact.  She was so professional, caring and considerate and assisted me on all elements in respect of arranging the funeral.  Exceptionally helpful and cannot thank her enough fir her assistance & recommendations. 

5 Kevin Pridmore 6th Dec 2021

Thank you so much for an amazing service, especially from Rachel at your Rayleigh branch, completely amazing, considerate, professional & genuinely caring.
Also to James Cooper, so professional, both assets to the amazing work you do

5 Geraldine Paddon 30th Nov 2021

Staff are very helpful and compassionate.  

Even though there was a problem with the hearse having a puncture it was not made a major incident.

5 Marsha Law 29th Nov 2021

Very kind understanding and caring staff. Would recommend your services

5 Deborah Connell 29th Nov 2021

I have been very happy with the care and compassion shown by the staff at Rayleigh. Even calling me to check how myself and the family were the day after my mum was cremated. And offering further support if we needed it and advice on collecting my mums ashes.