A J Wakely & Sons Ltd, Chard

23 reviews

A family-run funeral director in Chard that has been providing an independent funeral director service to the bereaved since 1986.

Latest Verified Reviews

Tina Raddon 1st Sep 2024

This is an old family business and it shows. I found Leah to be extremely empathetic and well-organised - and even helped us with booking the venue for the wake which I was not expecting. The lady in the office (Kate?) was also lovely. They were very professional whilst being warm, flexible and easy going.

Roger Derryman 3rd Jul 2024

Could not have been better!

Margaretta Timson 2nd Jul 2024

We had to arrange a funeral with AJ Wakely for the third time in as many years, and I must say that everything was handled impeccably. Leah was exceptional in providing unwavering support, going above and beyond her duties as an undertaker. The entire team at AJ Wakely demonstrated outstanding care and empathy, proving to be a credit to the company. Without Leah's support, we wouldn't have been able to navigate through that challenging time, and for that, we will always be grateful to her and the team.

Reviews

Funeral arrangements

  • Home visit
  • 24 hour telephone support
  • On-site parking
  • Chapel of rest
  • Hearse
  • Limousine
  • Horse-drawn hearse
  • Bespoke vehicle
  • Coffin
  • Personalised coffin
  • Casket
  • Headstone / Plaque
  • Urn
  • Memorial jewellery
  • Floral tributes
  • Charitable donations
  • Newspaper announcement
  • Online obituary
  • Memorial book
  • Order of service sheets
  • Music
  • Video tribute
  • Funeral webcasting
  • Catering
  • Dove release
  • Balloon release
  • Fireworks

Types of funeral

  • Traditional burial
  • Simple funeral
  • Traditional cremation
  • Green funeral
  • Direct cremation
  • Burial at sea
  • Non-religious funeral
  • Anglican funeral
  • Roman Catholic funeral
  • Muslim funeral
  • Jewish funeral
  • Sikh funeral
  • Hindu funeral
  • Buddhist funeral
  • Children’s funeral

Financial arrangements

  • Financial advice
  • Wills & probate
  • Pre-paid funeral plan

Additional services

  • Repatriation
  • Bereavement counselling
  • List of mourners

Location

45 Holyrood Street
Chard
Somerset
TA20 2DN

Open map

Opening Hours

Day Hours
Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours
Call: 01460 208744

About Us

A.J.Wakely & Sons Chard is a family-run funeral director in Chard that has been providing an independent funeral director service to the bereaved since 1986.

A.J.Wakely & Sons date back to 1897, and they opened an office in Chard in 1986. Over the past three decades they have built a long-standing association with the community by helping bereaved families and working with local churches and groups. At the end of 2018, the office was refurbished to create a comfortable and relaxed environment for families to visit.

The Chard funeral home is run by Leah Wakely, who has a Diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration (DipFAA). In 1996, after leaving school, Leah started her career in Bridport working and training alongside her father, David Wakely, and brother, Simon Wakely. Following a career break to raise a family, Leah returned to work in 2014 at the Lyme Regis office, later moving to run the Chard and Ilminster offices. During her time with A.J.Wakely & Sons she has enjoyed directing funerals for local families and building relationships with local churches and businesses.

A.J.Wakely & Sons Chard are proud members of: National Association of Funeral Directors & The National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors. Call them today to begin planning the perfect funeral for your loved one.

Verified Reviews

Verified Reviews

  • 5 Tina Raddon 1st Sep 2024

    This is an old family business and it shows. I found Leah to be extremely empathetic and well-organised - and even helped us with booking the venue for the wake which I was not expecting. The lady in the office (Kate?) was also lovely. They were very professional whilst being warm, flexible and easy going.

  • 4 Roger Derryman 3rd Jul 2024

    Could not have been better!

  • 5 Margaretta Timson 2nd Jul 2024

    We had to arrange a funeral with AJ Wakely for the third time in as many years, and I must say that everything was handled impeccably. Leah was exceptional in providing unwavering support, going above and beyond her duties as an undertaker. The entire team at AJ Wakely demonstrated outstanding care and empathy, proving to be a credit to the company. Without Leah's support, we wouldn't have been able to navigate through that challenging time, and for that, we will always be grateful to her and the team.

  • 5 Tilly Landon 3rd Apr 2024

    Having the initial meeting at our home helped greatly. Leah took time to explain the process, the options and asked questions in a gentle way when making the arrangements. Consequently the Funeral Service was perfect. 

  • 5 Margaret Payne 29th Feb 2024

    Very friendly, very sensitive and willing to go the extra mile to ensure your wishes are carried out. Local knowledge and access to services helping to make this difficult time manageable.

  • 5 Brian Packington 7th Feb 2024

    Very professional everything was perfect. My wife of 50 years was treated with respect and dignity and I was treated with patience and compassion. At no time did I feel unsure, pressured or rushed.

  • 5 Martin Earles 4th Jan 2024

    Understanding and excellent link to facilitate all arrangements that needed to be made.
    First class service throughout.

  • 5 Tim Brown 4th Dec 2023

    Excellent service would highly recommend made a difficult situation easier

  • 5 Brenda Partridge 26th Nov 2023

    The family were very pleased with the service we received they were professional, friendly and supportive, nothing was to much trouble and there was always someone at the end of a phone with any queries we may have had .

  • 5 Andrew Harrison 1st Aug 2023

    Wakely’s funeral director s have been absolutely fantastic. They dealt with all the aspects of my mother’s funeral with care, compassion and sympathy. They arranged everything perfectly. The day went so well. I thank them profusely for their excellent services, and would recommend them to anybody. 

  • 5 Mark Adds 4th Jul 2023

    Very friendly and professional.

  • 4 Susan Chick 1st Jul 2023

    Leah,Paul and Kate were all very kind and helpful with the funeral of our mum Dorothy Jarvis. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they were very approachable and caring. The funeral went very well. Everything we asked for. 

  • 5 Kay saunders 15th Jun 2023

    I would like to take this opportunity to say thankyou from start to finish for my Mums funeral arrangements and the service was first class from all at Chard. Made a very sad time slightly sad but very much less stressful.
    Thankyou from all the family

  • 5 Katherine Barnett 28th Apr 2023

    Wonderful friendly,kind service. I've never met anyone who is so bright,jolly and friendly as Leah Wakely. A bright light at a person's most darkest days. Nothing is too much trouble,will help any way they can to make the funeral as stress free as possible.

  • 5 James Graham 5th Apr 2023

    very good, saved a lot of problems

  • 5 Brian Bowditch 31st Jan 2023

    Very friendly and helpful at such a sad time. Thank you Wakelys.

  • 5 Lorriane Allen 31st Jan 2023

    From start to finish I had all the support I needed. Was always on the other end of the phone if I needed to ask questions. Everything was dealt with much care. Would definitely recommend to family and friends.

  • 5 Sandra Logan 12th Jan 2023

    Friendly staff 

  • 5 Moira Vaughan 17th Nov 2022

    Professional, pointing us in the right directions at the appropriate times.

  • 5 Jan Foote 14th Jul 2022

    excellent communication from the start very helpfull and understanding,there help and advice made things much easier for our family.
    would reconment there services to anyone.special thanks to leah and kim

  • 5 Adrian Howe 30th May 2022

    Fantastic service and very professional 

  • 5 Nicola Greenway 23rd Sep 2021

    We chose A J Wakely & Sons because of their very good local reputation. We felt totally justified in this decision as the service was just as we hoped in that it was helpful and friendly at the same time as being tactful and understated. Much appreciated!

  • 5 Glynis Putt 14th Sep 2021

    At such a sad time it was it was good to have all arrangements etc taken away from me and dealt with in such a friendly professional way, I would highly recommend A J Wakely for their professional, friendly and kind service 

Address
45 Holyrood Street
Chard
Somerset
TA20 2DN

Open map

Opening Hours

Day Hours
Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Latest Verified Reviews

Tina Raddon 1st Sep 2024

This is an old family business and it shows. I found Leah to be extremely empathetic and well-organised - and even helped us with booking the venue for the wake which I was not expecting. The lady in the office (Kate?) was also lovely. They were very professional whilst being warm, flexible and easy going.

Roger Derryman 3rd Jul 2024

Could not have been better!

Margaretta Timson 2nd Jul 2024

We had to arrange a funeral with AJ Wakely for the third time in as many years, and I must say that everything was handled impeccably. Leah was exceptional in providing unwavering support, going above and beyond her duties as an undertaker. The entire team at AJ Wakely demonstrated outstanding care and empathy, proving to be a credit to the company. Without Leah's support, we wouldn't have been able to navigate through that challenging time, and for that, we will always be grateful to her and the team.

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