CPJ Field

24/02/2026

He was a West Ham man. Loved fishing. Loved shooting. His sister wanted all of it in the farewell.

So the coffin came in a claret and blue trim. The spray was built around a deer skull with pheasant feathers, deep red roses, eucalyptus, blue eryngium, and green berries spilling over the edges of the wicker.

Every colour chosen for a reason. Every detail placed with him in mind.

17/02/2026

Thirty years. That's how long Maria has been doing this work. She's carried coffins. She's dressed a chapel. But the work she comes back to, every time, is embalming.

She gives people back to their families looking like themselves. Not what illness did. Not what time did. Them.

She calls it the last thing you could ever do for someone. She means it.

After work, she's two minutes from the South Downs. Skiing when she can get away. Paddle-boarding when the weather's kind. Walking her son's French bulldog, who has never once walked past a country pub without stopping.

Maria Strudwick. Embalmer. Haine & Son, Eastbourne.

Thirty years of the work most people never see.

13/02/2026

One of our Never Alone knitting groups has come up with something new. A Worry Buddy.

A small knitted animal with a tiny pocket. Write down what's worrying you, fold it up, and tuck it inside. Let something else carry it for a while.

12/02/2026

Eighteen Porsches and a Morgan. That was the procession.

Not because it was showy. Because it was him.

They called him the Squadron Leader. Pilot's licence. Porsche on the drive. The Porsche Owners Club was his world, and he was at the heart of it.

So when the time came, they drove him from his home in Smallfield to Surrey and Sussex Crematorium. Eighteen cars. One last convoy. The kind of goodbye he'd have loved.

Because every life is unique.

06/02/2026

Valentine's Day can bring up memories of someone you love and miss. There's a Valentine's tree at Haine & Son in Eastbourne if you'd like to leave a message this week.

📍 Haine & Son Funeral Directors, 19 South Street, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4UJ

Valentine's Day can bring up memories of someone you love and miss.

Some things don't need a card. They just need a place.

Our Valentine's tree is here for anyone who'd like to write a message, share a memory, or simply say what's on their mind.

You're welcome to visit Haine & Son in Eastbourne any time this week.

03/02/2026

Our first ever Never Alone coffee morning for anyone grieving a pet.

Because they were never "just" a pet.

This morning, we held our first ever Never Alone coffee morning for anyone grieving a pet at Miles EO Coffee in Hove. A cup of coffee and the simple relief of sitting with others who understand.

It was lovely to see everyone who came.

We'll be back on 5th May. Same place, 11am to 12pm. If you know someone who could benefit from a group like this, let them know. Open to anyone.

📍 Miles EO Coffee, Norton Rd, Brighton & Hove, BN3 3BQ

29/01/2026

A glimpse into our window at Constable & Toop, Forest Hill.

From memorial seeds to keepsake pins, orders of service to remembrance jewellery, there are many ways to continue remembering someone you love. Pop in if you'd like to see what's available, or just to have a chat.

27/01/2026

14 hand-knitted buddies are about to be hidden across Eastbourne. Will you find one?

At our Never Alone coffee morning today, Jeanette (and Radish the dog 🐕) presented us with these lovely Never Alone buddies, each one made by hand. Over the coming weeks, they'll be tucked into spots around town, waiting to brighten someone's day.

Our next coffee morning is Tuesday 24th February, 11am to 12pm at The Welcome Building, Congress Theatre.

Everyone is welcome.

23/01/2026

Nearly 6 in 10 people feel they have to hide their grief when a pet dies.

You don't have to here.

Tuesday 3rd February, Miles EO Coffee. 11am to 12 noon. A chance to sit with others who've been there too.

Miles EO Coffee, Norton Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3BQ

Everyone's welcome.

(RSPCA, 2025)

20/01/2026

The High Sheriff got her own look-alike buddy 🧶

20/01/2026

Thank you to this family for sharing their words. Christopher Stringer, Rottingdean.