Meaningful touches that speak from the heart

We offer a range of extended services that can help personalise the day, 
celebrate memories, and create a lasting tribute.

Crafting a Farewell as Unique as the Life Lived

HL Hawes & Son offers a range of additional services that can be woven into any funeral arrangement helping our families create a farewell that reflects the full character of the person they are honouring, whatever that looks like.

The details that people remember most.

A particular piece of music. A release of doves at the crematorium gates. A photograph montage playing softly as people arrive. A floral tribute in the colours of a favourite football club or a garden that was loved. These are the things that give a service its character, and they are often the things that, weeks later, families are most glad they included.

We serve a community rich in different cultures, traditions, and personal stories. The comprehensive options we provide are built to honour that. 

Below, you will find a selection of our most popular choices. However, if you have a different idea in mind, please let us know, whatever is needed to make the service feel right, we will help you find it.

Music That Means Something

Music can be a deeply personal part of any farewell. We support families in sourcing their musical choices from specific recordings to live performances. We regularly coordinate professional organists, soloists, gospel choirs, traditional pipers and musicians from many different traditions. If you have something specific in mind, tell us and we will do our best to arrange it.

Doves

A dove release offers a beautiful moment of quiet and moving symbolism at the graveside or crematorium. Representing peace, hope, and the gentle releasing of a loved one’s spirit, it provides a comforting, unforgettable focal point for family and friends. We would be happy to organise this service for you.

Flowers

We work alongside exceptional local florists capable of creating floral tributes in any style whether you prefer classic, formal designs or personal, vibrant arrangements that reflect specific cultural traditions and individual styles. Our team would be privileged to assist you and provide contact details for our trusted local partners.

Visual Tribute

A photographic montage set to music offers a deeply touching way to celebrate a life. It can be shown on screens during the service (venue dependent) as a beautiful focal point and shared with family and friends afterwards as a lasting digital keepsake.

Live Streaming

Live streaming can mean that no one has to miss the farewell. We can facilitate a professional, secure webcast through our local crematoriums. Our team will be able to discuss this option with your specific venue you are using, as technical facilities vary by location.

Recording

Where live streaming is available, a high-definition recording of the ceremony can also be provided as a digital file something families can return to in their own time, and share with those who could not attend.

Donations

We can set up a dedicated online tribute page to allow family and friends to donate to a chosen charity and leave messages of remembrance providing a unique web link and QR code for use in the service sheet or shared digitally.

Memory Boxes

We offer two elegant designs for our Memory Boxes: Cherry Blossom or Forget Me Not. Each box is thoughtfully designed to help families celebrate the life and legacy of a loved one by providing a secure, special place to keep cherished mementos close at hand.

The benefits of choosing a funeral plan:

  • Eases family stress: Lifts the immediate emotional and financial burden from your loved ones.

  • Secures your choices: Records your exact wishes so there is no guesswork later on.

  • Freezes today’s prices: Safeguards your funds against inflation by locking in current service rates.

  • Provides reassurance: Brings comfort today, knowing the future is organised and secure.

  • Trusted care: Backed by our experienced team, ensuring everything runs seamlessly

Tell Us What You Have in Mind.

Our teams in Barkingside and Chingford here to support you. If you have an idea for the service, no matter how unique, unusual, or specific, please share it with us. We are always here and would be privileged to discuss how we can make it happen

Words from the
Families We’ve Helped

I highly recommend H L Hawes & Son
They were so kind and caring and supportive to my family, though this difficult time. I would personally like to thank all the staff but give a special thanks to Richard for everything he did for us . We wanted Dad to have a lovely send off and that's what he got
The team is lovely
Special thanks to Brett who guided the family during a difficult time and was on hand to deal with all requests & queries. He made the process seamless. We had a traditional Hindu funeral and they accommodated all our needs. Thank you
We would like to take the time to Thank You
Thank You all for the very professional and amazing way looked after the final stages for my cousin’s funeral and memorial service. Your attention was wonderful. From the funeral home to the celebrant and the printer of the Order of Service . Nothing was left out .
Sensitive and professional, also with other traditions/religions (e.g. Sikhism)
We cannot thank Richard, Marc and the team enough. Came highly recommended, would highly recommend.
H L Hawes recently conducted the funeral of my late father.
They were so helpful throughout the whole process, and provided such a professional service before and on the day. I especially want to thank Lorraine, for all her patience, understanding, and support. You were amazing. Thank you all for ensuring my father had such a good send off.
We used H L Hawes to handle my Mum's funeral. The friendly team led by Brett gave us a such a perfect day.
They were so efficient and sympathetic throughout the weeks leading up to the event and that made it so much easier for us. They thought of everything – and it all went off so smoothly without a hitch. It was all just as Mum would have wanted, full of dignity and respect. I have no hesitation in recommending them for outstanding service .
We used H L Hawes & Son for my little sister funeral. They was so professional, polite, understanding and respectful.
Their communication and organisation was so amazing. I cannot thank Brett and team enough and forever grateful for giving my sister an amazing send off.
Thank you to Brett and Richard for helping the family to organise our Mum's funeral.
Obviously this is a very emotional time and they were both on hand, with nothing too much trouble, enabling us to rightly celebrate our Mum's life with dignity but not at all stuffy. Mum would have been proud.

Community Voice

Supporting Families Beyond the Funeral
At West & Coe, care doesn’t stop at the service. Learn about our continued support for grieving families — from local groups to helpful resources you can access anytime.
Read more >
New Podcast: Planning Ahead with Confidence
In this episode, we speak with our funeral planning team about the benefits of preparing your wishes in advance — and how it can ease the burden on loved ones.
Read more >
Honouring a Life, Your Way
From dove releases to bespoke floral arrangements, discover how families are adding meaningful personal touches to create unique and heartfelt farewells.
Read more >
Local Matters: Backing Dagenham FC
We’re proud to sponsor Dagenham Football Club this season — one of the many ways we stay connected to the communities we serve.
Read more >
Scroll to Top

Arrange a call back