Your Personal Plans. Safely Stored. Comfort for the Future.
HL Hawes & Son provides a complimentary funeral planning guide, a straightforward, stress-free document designed to let you note down your exact wishes for your final arrangements.
Why it helps to write it down.
Most people do not think about their own funeral until they have to. That is entirely natural. But when a death does occur, the people left behind are often asked to make decisions in a matter of days, in the middle of grief, about things they have never discussed.
Writing down your wishes, even loosely, even provisionally, lifts that weight from the people who love you. It gives them confidence that what they are arranging is what you would have wanted. And it gives you the quiet peace of knowing that something important has been handled.
The booklet is entirely free of charge and involves no pre-payment, no financial commitment and no obligation whatsoever. You can update your wishes at any time — circumstances change, and so do preferences. Once completed, you can keep a copy at home, store it with a trusted friend or family member, or leave it with us at our Barkingside or Chingford offices, where it will be held safely until it is needed.
What the booklet helps you record.
If you would prefer some guidance, our team is always available to sit with you and help record your wishes .
- Final Resting Choices: Managing options for burial, cremation, direct cremation, or overseas transport logistics.
- Service Structure: Selecting standard religious liturgies, multi-faith gatherings, or non-religious celebrations of life.
- Faith Protocols: Ensuring specific spiritual requirements and cultural customs are strictly honoured.
- The Ceremony Details: Outlining your favourite music, readings, poetry, or those you wish to speak.
- Dress Codes & Tributes: Specifying visual styles, attendance colours, floral instructions, or chosen charity funds.
- Personalised Aspects: Documenting unique requests to make the ceremony a true reflection of your life story.
- Contacts & Roles: Listing the names of individuals to notify and those you wish to participate.
We will help you fill it in, if you would like.
Our team is here to guide you through the booklet at whatever pace you need. There is no rush, and there are no wrong answers. If you would prefer to complete it at home and return it to us, that is equally welcome.
Words from the
Families We’ve Helped
