Circle Funerals

Circle Funerals Independent, family-run funeral directors in Altrincham, providing compassionate funeral care across South Manchester.

Owned and run day-to-day by husband and wife team, Jeremy and Sara Fixter.

Signposting to bereavement support We work to keep up to date with local and national bereavement support options. By do...
03/05/2026

Signposting to bereavement support

We work to keep up to date with local and national bereavement support options. By doing this we hope we can suggest helpful options and choices to any bereaved person we meet.

People tell us that what they find helpful evolves over time. If we can help spread information on what is available, ultimately this means people are more likely to find something that is helpful for them.

We were recently contacted by a parent who had found us on-line and was looking for resources for bereaved children and young people. We were really happy to be able to help. If you are an individual or organisation and you’d like information on any bereavement resources, please get in touch: sara@circlefunerals.co.uk / 0161 928 6080

01/05/2026

This morning you may start to see this film being shared by independent funeral directors across the country, including us here at Circle Funerals.

We’re a member of SAIF independent funeral directors and this is part of a national campaign they’ve launched called Handled With Care.

It’s centred around something we’re being asked about more and more - direct cremation, often arranged online, particularly the unattended kind where there’s no service and no one present.

For some families, that simplicity feels right. But what we often see is that people don’t always realise what that means in practice, or that there are ways to keep things simple while still having support, guidance, and the chance to make decisions that feel right for them.

This campaign is about helping people have a fuller picture before they decide, and knowing they have someone local they can talk things through with if they want to.

Because having that guidance, and having the opportunity to come together, to grieve or to celebrate a person’s life in a way that feels right, can matter more than people expect.

We will all experience bereavement at some point in our lives.And yet, it’s something many of us find hard to talk about...
29/04/2026

We will all experience bereavement at some point in our lives.

And yet, it’s something many of us find hard to talk about, or to know where to turn when it happens.

On Tuesday 5th May as part of Dying Matters week, there will be a Bereavement Support Day at Sale Town Hall (10:30am – 4pm).

It’s a space for anyone in our community – whether you’ve been recently bereaved, are supporting someone else, or simply want to understand more about what help is available.

There will be:
– Short, practical talks from people working in bereavement support
– A range of organisations offering guidance, advice and signposting
– A calm, welcoming space where you can take your time, ask questions, or simply listen

You’re very welcome to drop in at any point during the day.

We hope it helps make conversations around loss feel a little easier, and makes it simpler to find the right support when it’s needed.

If you’d like to know more, feel free to get in touch.

One of the things we're aware of through our role is the language we use when talking about death and funerals.Small dif...
27/04/2026

One of the things we're aware of through our role is the language we use when talking about death and funerals.

Small differences in wording can change how something feels and how the person we are talking to receives what we are saying.

We’re caring for people who have died, and we try to reflect that in how we speak, using language that is simple, clear and considered.

For example:

– We don't use terms like “the deceased”. We’ll say “the person who has died”, or use their name.
– We don’t talk about “removals” or “collections” from hospital, care homes or from home, but about “bringing someone into our care”.
– We talk about “caring for the person who has died”, and we take time to understand what that care looks like for each family, whether that includes washing, dressing, or other choices.

We’re also mindful not to make assumptions about relationships.

People’s connections to the person who has died can be close, complicated, distant, or somewhere in between. Because of that, we won’t use the phrase “loved one” unless the family use it first.

It’s a small thing, but we think it matters.





Rock cakes made from a family recipe, passed down through generations.It was a recipe their Nana first baked as a little...
21/04/2026

Rock cakes made from a family recipe, passed down through generations.

It was a recipe their Nana first baked as a little girl and one she used when she began baking with her own daughter. Years later the same recipe was shared again, now made with her grandchildren and great grand-children.

They were served on the day to remember a much-loved Mum, Nana and Great Nana.

Even the great-grandchildren who hadn’t met her were able to connect through the stories, and through something she was known for

We’re always so grateful when families take the time to share how they felt our support to be.Thank you to Francesca for...
19/04/2026

We’re always so grateful when families take the time to share how they felt our support to be.

Thank you to Francesca for taking the time to write this review. We were more than happy to have lots of conversations with different members of the family, to help make sure everything felt right for their dad and husband.

What they planned for him, together, was really beautiful, and done with such care.

Thank you for trusting us to support you all.

16/04/2026

“I am blown away by the level of detail in that email.”

This was from a celebrant we were working alongside to support a family, someone with eight years’ experience - after we’d shared what the family had told us about their mum.

When we initially meet with families, we ask them to share what they feel comfortable sharing about the person who has died. And if it feels right, we might start to plan the funeral together at that same meeting.

If they’re being supported by a celebrant or faith leader and are happy for us to, we’ll pass some of that on…

…it means the family don’t have to go over everything for a second time, and the celebrant already has a sense of things before they meet.

For us, it’s just part of working alongside each other - to make sure the family get the best support possible.


Planning a funeral across a number of different locations can involve coordinating quite a few people.For example, a pla...
11/04/2026

Planning a funeral across a number of different locations can involve coordinating quite a few people.

For example, a place of worship, a faith leader, and a burial ground or crematorium may all have their own availability.

A big part of our role is to take on that liaison, speaking with each of the people involved and bringing those arrangements together on behalf of the family.

Having that taken care of can ease some of the practical side of things at a time when there is already a lot to think about.

07/04/2026

Daffodils were chosen for a mum, grandma and wife who loved them, and the colour yellow.

They were carefully attached to the handles of the coffin, with a spray of daffodils placed on top.

It looked so elegant — people commented on how beautiful the flowers were as they arrived.

We often talk things like this through with families. Flowers can be adapted in lots of different ways, and sometimes it’s those more personal touches that feel the most right.

Thank you to Barkers the Florist for creating them so beautifully.

We’re here as usual over the upcoming bank holiday weekend, 24 hours a day, should you need us.If someone has died and y...
03/04/2026

We’re here as usual over the upcoming bank holiday weekend, 24 hours a day, should you need us.

If someone has died and you need support bringing them into our care, or if you would simply like to talk something through, even if you’re not sure where to start, you can call us at any time on 0161 928 6080.

Our premises will be closed over the weekend, but we remain available on the phone whenever you need us.

A local charity offering free support packs for children when a parent is seriously ill or when a family has experienced...
30/03/2026

A local charity offering free support packs for children when a parent is seriously ill or when a family has experienced a bereavement.

Elsie Ever After is based locally and provides thoughtfully put together packs for both primary and secondary school-aged children.

The packs include workbooks, story books and guidance for parents, helping families navigate conversations and support children at a very difficult time.

Anyone can request a pack: teachers, support workers, families, doctors, social workers, friends, neighbours, or by self-referral: elsieeverafter@hotmail.com / www.elsieeverafter.org.uk

The charity was founded by Helen, Elsie’s mum, after Elsie died in 2013 aged just 19 months. Her aim was to help families access support more easily, connect existing services, and offer something practical where there are gaps.

They now send packs across the country.

We’ve used their resources to support families where a parent was seriously ill and also following a bereavement - and found them to be a thoughtful and helpful support.

We also support their work through our community fund with Forever ManchesterManchester.

If you feel this could help someone, you can request a pack directly via their website.

People may feel like they need to have a clear idea of what they want before they come to see us.In reality, many don’t....
29/03/2026

People may feel like they need to have a clear idea of what they want before they come to see us.

In reality, many don’t.

There are usually lots of unknowns and often questions people haven’t even thought to ask yet. It’s not something people are necessarily used to navigating.

Sometimes people feel unsure about what they can ask. Questions like where the person will be cared for, what happens next, or whether they can produce the Order of Service themselves (you absolutely can).

A big part of our role is simply to talk things through and help make sense of things, step by step, at a pace that feels manageable.

Address

23 Ashley Road
Altrincham
WA142DP

Telephone

+441619286080

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Circle Funerals posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Circle Funerals:

Shortcuts

Share

Category