AJ Wakely & Sons

AJ Wakely & Sons We are leading independent funeral directors based in the South West of England.

Family Funeral Directors based in Dorset, Somerset and Devon offering traditional funerals and direct to the crematorium funerals

☕ Join Us for a Macmillan Coffee Morning Today from 10 am 💚Pop in for a cup of tea or coffee, enjoy some of our deliciou...
22/04/2026

☕ Join Us for a Macmillan Coffee Morning Today from 10 am 💚

Pop in for a cup of tea or coffee, enjoy some of our delicious homemade cakes, and spend a little time with friendly faces—all while helping to raise money for an incredible cause. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference to people living with cancer.

We hope to see you soon

You’re invited! ☕Join us at A.J. Wakely & Sons, 91 East Street, Bridport for a warm and welcoming Coffee Morning in supp...
13/04/2026

You’re invited! ☕

Join us at A.J. Wakely & Sons, 91 East Street, Bridport for a warm and welcoming Coffee Morning in support of Macmillan Cancer

📅 Wednesday 22nd April ⏰ 10am – 2pm

Pop in for a cup of coffee or tea, a chat, and some delicious treats, all while helping raise vital funds for an incredible cause. Whether you stay for five minutes or the full morning, your support makes a real difference.

Bring a friend, meet the community, and Let’s come together over coffee for a cause that touches so many lives.

07/04/2026

We are delighted to share that AJ Wakely & Sons was selected as one of three finalists for the “Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year” awards at the Somerset Business Awards.

Members of our team attended the awards evening on Thursday 26th March, where we enjoyed a wonderful night celebrating alongside other fantastic local businesses.

Being recognised as a finalist is something we’re incredibly proud of, reflecting our long-standing commitment to supporting families and our community with care and compassion.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us.

We recently had the privilege of seeing a truly special and personal floral tribute created by Poppies Florist for a fun...
25/03/2026

We recently had the privilege of seeing a truly special and personal floral tribute created by Poppies Florist for a funeral our Yeovil office conducted.

This beautiful arrangement was created for someone with a great love for guinea pigs and features two guinea pigs, thoughtfully crafted from flowers, to reflect something that brought them so much joy in life.

It’s these unique details that can make a goodbye feel truly meaningful. We’re always honoured to help families include such personal tributes that celebrate the individuality and passions of their loved one.

AJ Wakely & Sons are the leading local funeral directors for Yeovil, providing professional and compassionate funeral services to the area.

Last Sunday marked International Women’s Day, and with Mother’s Day approaching this Sunday, it feels like the perfect m...
12/03/2026

Last Sunday marked International Women’s Day, and with Mother’s Day approaching this Sunday, it feels like the perfect moment to recognise the wonderful women who are such an important part if the AJ Wakely & Sons team.

Across our offices, we are proud to work alongside dedicated, compassionate women who support families with professionalism and care every day. We’d especially like to recognise Leah, our funeral director for Ilminster, Sabina, our funeral director for Sidmouth, and Marg, our funeral director for Weymouth. Their kindness and commitment make a real difference to the families and communities they serve.

To all the amazing women out there, may we continue to support each other, lift each other up, and remind one another how powerful and beautiful we truly are. Wishing love, strength, and happiness to all the incredible women around the world.

A traditional, bespoke funeral service for those who wish to arrange a personalised funeral service and burial or cremation.

10/03/2026

A few weeks ago, Tim Nickels had the privilege of conducting a funeral for a gentleman from Lyme Regis.

The procession made its way along the seafront and up towards The Cobb, creating a truly special and memorable farewell. In a touching moment during the walk, a rainbow appeared above the bay, marking a meaningful tribute to an important day.

Tim has been a long-standing and much-valued member of the AJ Wakely team and is known by many in the Lyme Regis community. Moments like these reflect the care and dedication he brings to every service he conducts.

National Funeral Planning Awareness Week: A Conversation That Matters This week is all about National Funeral Planning A...
23/02/2026

National Funeral Planning Awareness Week: A Conversation That Matters

This week is all about National Funeral Planning Awareness Week, an opportunity to help families make informed decisions during a difficult time.

Funeral planning isn’t just about the end of life; it’s about peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By planning ahead, you help ensure that your wishes are honoured, and your family is supported.

Here’s why funeral planning is so important:
✔️ Reduces stress for your family
✔️ Ensures your personal wishes are recorded
✔️ Helps prevent financial surprises
✔️ Offers comfort and peace of mind

At AJ Wakely & Sons, we’re here to help guide you through every step of the process, with compassion and care. If you have any questions or want to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out.

https://www.ajwakely.com/funeral-services/pre-paid.php

With a Golden Charter funeral plan, you can pay for your plan in several ways. Spread the cost or make a one-off payment – simply choose the one that’s right for you. We will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

We recently saw a truly unique and personal floral tribute created by a local farmer for a loved one’s funeral. Instead ...
16/02/2026

We recently saw a truly unique and personal floral tribute created by a local farmer for a loved one’s funeral. Instead of a traditional arrangement, the lovely bright flowers were thoughtfully placed inside a pair of boots.

It was a beautiful reminder that funeral tributes don’t have to follow convention. The most meaningful gestures are often those that reflect the personality, passions and story of the person being remembered.

We’re always honoured to help families bring these personal touches together, creating a farewell that feels right.

A traditional, bespoke funeral service for those who wish to arrange a personalised funeral service and burial or cremation.

For almost 50 years, AJ Wakely & Sons has been proud to serve the Beaminster community. Since converting a former worksh...
05/02/2026

For almost 50 years, AJ Wakely & Sons has been proud to serve the Beaminster community. Since converting a former workshop into our Beaminster office in 1974, we have remained a trusted and familiar presence in the village, working closely with local residents, churches, and charities.

Our office in Beaminster is managed by Simon Wakely, a funeral director with deep local roots. Born and raised in Beaminster, Simon joined the family business in 1995, working alongside his father, David Wakely and grandfather, Jack Wakely.

With over 30 years of experience, Simon continues the family tradition of compassionate, personal care, supporting local families with dignity and understanding during difficult times.

If you ever need advice, support, or simply a friendly and familiar face, Simon and the team are here for the Beaminster community.

In 1995 Simon joined his father, David Wakely, and grandfather, Jack Wakely at the funeral directors in Bridport, where he learned the profession of funeral directing.

02/02/2026
29/01/2026

Every funeral we arrange is personal, and shaped around the life, values and story of the person being remembered.

Chris Legg, one of our funeral directors, was recently sent some photographs from a service that took place earlier last summer for a much-respected paramedic. With the family’s wishes at the heart of every decision, the details of the day reflected his profession, dedication and the difference he made to so many people.

It’s always a privilege to help families create a farewell that feels right for their loved one, whether that includes special tributes, meaningful symbols, or unique elements that honour a life of service.

At AJ Wakely and Sons, we understand that not everyone wants a traditional funeral. Direct cremation offers a simple, no...
13/01/2026

At AJ Wakely and Sons, we understand that not everyone wants a traditional funeral. Direct cremation offers a simple, no-fuss alternative, allowing families to say goodbye in their own way, at their own pace.

Unlike national providers, we are a local, independent funeral director, meaning your loved one stays in our care at all times, with no long-distance transportation or hidden fees.

✔️ Personal care from a trusted local team
✔️ Transparent pricing – no hidden costs
✔️ Your loved one remains close to home

If you’re considering direct cremation and want a caring, local service, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a no-obligation chat.

https://ajwakely.com/funeral-services/direct-cremation.php

Funeral: Making all arrangements and completion of documents for the cremation ² Advice, support, and guidance. Transportation to the crematorium for cremation, carried out by two members of our team.

Address

91 East Street
Bridport
DT63LB

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441308423726

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Our Story

A.J.Wakely & Sons is a family-run business that has been providing an independent funeral director service to the bereaved since 1897. For four generations the Wakely family has had a strong presence in the local community and has provided a personal, sensitive and caring service upon which our company's reputation has steadily grown. The A.J.Wakely & Sons funeral directors head office is located in Bridport, Dorset and we also have branches in Beaminster, Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, Lyme Regis, Sherborne, Sidmouth (Northcottt Brothers), Wincanton and Yeovil. The staff at each of our offices are familiar with the community resources in their specific area and we would encourage you to make the most of their local knowledge and expertise. We strictly adhere to industry codes of practice and are a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors, The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors and British Institute of Embalmers. Members of our experienced and dedicated staff are available during working hours to answer questions as well as to support and assist our clients through a sad and often overwhelming process. A manager or director is also available after hours, which means we offer a service that is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Please get in touch with us at any time to discuss your requirements or for information and advice.