Circle Funerals

28/01/2026

We’re really pleased to share that Sara has been asked to become a CAFT Ambassador for CAFTcharity.

Based on the outskirts of Altrincham and supporting families across the North-West, CAFT creates meaningful, joyful experiences and days out for children living with illness, disability, or really challenging circumstances – giving them space to play, explore and have fun, without barriers or judgement. Their work makes a real difference to children and families who need it most.

Jez and I, and our family, have been supporting CAFT for a while, so it feels especially meaningful to be getting more involved in this way and helping to raise awareness of the incredible work they do.

We’re also sharing CAFT’s upcoming events in case any appeal. If any of these sound like your sort of thing, they’re a wonderful way to support a brilliant local charity:

– The CAFT Boogie – Saturday 7 March – Bowdon Rooms
– Quiz Night – Thursday 19 March – Bowdon Rugby Club
– Golf Day – Thursday 14 May – Dunham Forest
– Country Ladies Lunch – Wednesday 10 June – Nunsmere Hall
– Summer Games (Corporate Sports Day) – Friday 26 June

If you’d like details or links to book, feel free to message us and we’ll point you in the right direction. And if you already support CAFT, we’d love to hear what drew you to them.

15/01/2026

This week, Jeremy and I are marking four years since we began supporting families here in Altrincham.

Over the past four years, it has been an absolute privilege to help people create funerals that feel meaningful and right for them. Thank you to everyone who has chosen us during that time; we never take for granted the trust you place in us.

This year has involved an important change for us. After beginning our journey as a franchise of Full Circle Funerals, we are now proudly independent and working as Circle Funerals. While the name has changed, what sits at the heart of our support has continued: compassionate, thoughtful funeral care, shaped around each family and what matters to them.

Looking back, we’re incredibly proud to have grown into a small but established part of our community, and to continue learning and evolving along the way. And we firmly believe that, with the right support, planning a funeral can be a powerful and positive experience, even at the hardest of times.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has encouraged, supported and worked with us over the years. The kindness and welcome we’ve received continues to mean a great deal to both Jeremy and I.

Thank you everyone, Sara and Jeremy (aka Jez) x

31/12/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we wanted to say a sincere thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share feedback with us this year.

We’re also very mindful of anyone who is bereaved and missing someone they love, we know this time of year can feel especially hard.

Your comments mean a great deal to us both (Jeremy and Sara). It’s a real privilege to be trusted, and we’re always proud to have been able to support families in a way that makes things easier and feel a little more manageable.

17/12/2025

Questions to ask a funeral director – Part 2

This is the second in a series of four posts: questions to ask a funeral director. We hope these posts will give you ideas about what you might want to ask, so that you can feel more informed, supported and confident when choosing a funeral director.

Question
Will we be looked after by the same person from the first phone call through to the funeral day?

Our answer
We believe that continuity of care matters; that people value getting to know one or two familiar faces, who take the time to understand them, their family and the person who has died. When this happens, each conversation can build on the last, trust grows, and there is a shared sense of what matters most to you.

From the very beginning, we have shaped Circle Funerals around this. It is just the two of us - Jeremy and me (Sara). From the first phone call, through each conversation and on the day of the funeral itself, you will be dealing with one or both of us. We have always believed that this continuity of care makes the process simpler and gentler for you, and means that on the day of the funeral the person standing beside you will have a sense of your person in the way you have chosen to share – so our support and the service itself feel reflective and meaningful.

11/12/2025

Questions to ask a funeral director - Part 1

When arranging a funeral, it can be difficult to know what to ask a funeral director. We believe that the more you understand what is possible, the easier it is to make choices that feel right for you and your family. This is the first in a short series of posts sharing questions you might like to ask, so that you can feel informed, supported and confident in the decisions you make.

Question
How will you help us plan a funeral that feels right for us and the person that has died?

Our Answer
We believe that planning a funeral can be part of the grieving process, and there is no single “right” way to do it. Some families want something very simple; others want particular music, readings, symbols, colours or rituals. A thoughtful funeral director will listen carefully, offer ideas, and explain what is possible so that together you can create something that feels honest and true to the person who has died.

Jeremy and I (Sara) will spend time exploring what matters most to you, then gently guide you through the options so the ceremony reflects your values and those of your person.

04/12/2025

CAFTcharity Toy Appeal - Local Drop‑Off Point

We’re really pleased to be acting as a drop‑off point for the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) Toy Appeal 2025.

This year CAFT will be bringing festive magic to around 3,700 ill, disabled and socially disadvantaged children.

If you’d like to donate, we’re collecting:
Family board games
Footballs
Soft toys
Toiletry sets (teenager/young adult)
Lego sets (Duplo, City, Friends, Creator, Technic ranges)
Remote‑control vehicles
Musical toys
Painting/drawing/craft sets
Dough/sand modelling sets
Educational toys

Please note that gifts need to be new and wrapped, with a photo or short description of what’s inside to help the Elves and Father Christmas match them to the right children!

If you’d like to drop toys off with us, please give us a quick ring/email first on 0161 928 6080 / sara@circlefunerals.co.uk so we can make sure we’re in and not out supporting families.

You can find us at: Circle Funerals, 23 Ashley Road, Altrincham, WA14 2DP.

Please drop any gifts off by Thursday 18th December.

If you can’t get to us but still want to help, you can also donate directly to CAFT at caft.co.uk, and they’ll do the shopping for you.

Thank you so much for any support you can give 💛

03/12/2025

Carols from King’s Court Thursday 18th December, 6pm

We’re very pleased to be supporting Visit Altrincham’s “Carols from King’s Court” again this year.

It’s become such a lovely tradition for the town, and last year’s gathering, led so beautifully by The Music Place choir created the most uplifting atmosphere. It was wonderful to see so many people coming together, a fantastic evening of singing and community spirit.

Food and drink will be available to buy on the night from King’s Court’s brilliant local businesses.
It’s always a special evening, and we look forward to seeing everyone there again this year.

25/11/2025

Over the past few weeks, we’ve supported several families who chose to spend some quiet time with their person who has died while the coffin was closed.

For some, it felt right to sit with a cup of tea and say the things they wanted to say. One family brought their favourite drinks and snacks and spent time together in the way they always had. Others played music that meant something to them.

One person we supported told me she hadn’t expected to spend time with her partner at all; but after talking it over with us, and then choosing to do so, she felt more prepared for the funeral and more comfortable when she saw the coffin during the service.

There’s no right or wrong way to approach this. Some people want this time, some don’t, and both are completely okay. Our role is simply to help people understand what’s possible and to support them in whatever feels right for them.

If taking a little time helps you feel connected, comforted, or more ready for the days ahead, we will always make space for that.

14/11/2025

Warm Space at Circle Funerals

This winter, we’re continuing our commitment to supporting our community by offering a warm, welcoming space for anyone who might need it.

Rising living costs are having a real impact on many households, and our hope is to provide a calm, comfortable place where people can pause, warm up, and feel at ease. Jeremy and I (Sara) are really pleased to be able to offer a friendly environment where visitors can enjoy a hot drink, a chat, or simply a quiet moment.

Although we are a funeral directors, people are often surprised by how homely and relaxed our premises feel. We regularly hear from visitors that the atmosphere is very different from what they expected - warm, calm, and reassuring. Being part of the local community is incredibly important to us, and our doors are open to anyone who wishes to make use of the space.

Our Warm Space runs every Tuesday from 11.30am to 1.30pm. Visitors are welcome to drop in for free tea, coffee and biscuits, free WiFi, and a peaceful place to sit.

Further details about our Warm Space, along with others in the area, can be found on the Warm Welcome UK website:
https://www.warmwelcome.uk/space?l=20279

If you know someone who may benefit, please feel free to share this information. Everyone is welcome.

Circle Funerals, 23 Ashley Road, Altrincham, WA14 2DP
0161 928 6080
sara@circlefunerals.co.uk

Click below to donate now or wait until 2nd - 9th December to have your donation matched through The Big Give initiative.

28/10/2025

Funerals don’t have to take place in a church, crematorium or other faith-based space.

Over the years, we’ve helped families hold ceremonies in village halls, gardens, woodlands and at home - places that feel familiar, gentle and personal.

When the setting feels right, the whole day often feels calmer and more true to the person who has died.

There’s more flexibility than many people realise, and creating the right atmosphere can make a quiet but meaningful difference.

20/10/2025

In the conversations we’ve had with families over the years, we’ve seen that what creates meaning for families is different for everyone.

For some, it’s decorating the order of service with beads and feathers, or displaying a piece of art created by the person who has died. Others have chosen to have their choir sing during the ceremony, or to use flowers gathered from their own garden.

These small, personal details often bring a quiet sense of connection - helping the day feel true to the person being remembered.

03/10/2025

We love being part of our wonderful local community and we're really touched to have been nominated for a Professional Services award in this year's Altrincham & Sale Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

We always want to offer the best support that we can, to help families and provide compassionate and personalised care that ultimately helps them through what is a difficult and emotional time.

We are in the category with many other wonderful businesses, but if you can spare 30 seconds, and your vote, please do vote for us - we are so appreciative of the support (voting closes today, Friday):

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q2BVF72

Thank you, Sara & Jeremy (Jez) x