S. Wellens & Sons Funeral Directors

06/09/2025

The new football season started for our boys today and what a start it was coming away 9-3 winners!!

With no subs to use the boys all worked tirelessly to play some really great football and it was difficult to choose a Man Of The Match so it was given to the whole team, well done boys! ❤️💙

Louie stepped up into GK position today and was on a promise of Salmon for tea but due to letting 3 goals past him that has now been downgraded to Fishfingers, harsh but fair mum 🐟🐟

22/08/2025

Here are some interesting Friday Funeral facts for you all:

#⚰️ Victorian Mourning Rules – In the 19th century, widows were expected to wear black mourning dress for up to two years after their husband’s death. Some families even covered mirrors and stopped clocks in the home until after the funeral.

⚰️ Coffin Plates – In the UK, it’s tradition to attach a nameplate (often metal) to the coffin with the deceased’s name, age, and date of death. By law in England and Wales, this plate must match the death certificate details.

⚰️ Burial Depth Law – Graves in the UK usually must be dug to a depth that leaves at least three feet of soil covering the coffin (unless there are special exemptions).

⚰️ Funeral Directors’ Black Top Hats – Until the mid-20th century, many undertakers in the UK would walk in front of the hearse wearing a black top hat and cane, a tradition still followed by some ceremonial funeral directors today.

⚰️ Green Funerals – The UK is at the forefront of eco-friendly funerals. The first natural burial ground in the world opened in Carlisle in 1993, sparking a global movement for woodland burials without embalming or headstones.

⚰️ Royal Funerals & Lying-in-State – The UK is one of the few countries that still regularly has “lying-in-state” ceremonies, where the public can walk past a royal or state figure’s coffin to pay respects (most recently for Queen Elizabeth II).

⚰️ Churchyard Yew Trees – Many ancient UK churchyards have yew trees that are older than the churches themselves. Yews were considered symbols of immortality, and some may date back over 1,000 years.

⚰️ Cremation Pioneer – The UK was one of the first European countries to legalise cremation (in 1902). Woking Crematorium, opened in 1878, was the first in the country and is still operating today.

⚰️ “Glasgow Gravediggers’ Strike” – In 1979, gravediggers in Glasgow went on strike during the “Winter of Discontent.” Bodies had to be stored in a temporary morgue because burials couldn’t take place.

⚰️ Unique Hearses – In the UK, it’s possible to have your coffin transported by motorcycle sidecar, campervan, Land Rover, or even a converted double-decker bus, reflecting the deceased’s personality.

Which fact do you find most interesting?

20/08/2025

We thought we would share this wonderful tribute to a gentleman who was recently in our care.

He was a man who adored his gardening and was especially proud of his tomato plants, so what better tribute than this ❤️❤️

Thank you to Tina at Lovemyflowers for the wonderful arrangement 🍅🍅🍅

15/08/2025

When arranging a funeral a question that is asked is which type of person you would want to take the funeral service. Below are the options most used, which is right for you?

Funeral Celebrant:

Focus: Personalised ceremony that can be religious, semi-religious, or completely non-religious, it’s up to you.

Flexibility: Very adaptable , can blend spiritual elements, cultural traditions, and personal stories.

Tone: Often warm, storytelling focused, and designed to reflect your life and values.

Best for people who want a made-to-measure service, possibly mixing faith with personal touches, or no faith at all.

⸻

Minister (Priest, Pastor, Vicar, Imam, Rabbi, etc.)

Focus: Faith-based funeral in line with religious teachings and traditions.

Flexibility: Usually less flexible, follows established prayers, readings, and order of service from the religion.

Tone: Sacred, scripture-led, with emphasis on afterlife beliefs of that faith.

Best for: People who have a strong religious identity or want their faith community involved in the farewell.

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3. Humanist Celebrant

Focus: Entirely non-religious, celebrating life from a humanist perspective.

Flexibility: No prayers or hymns, instead, uses poetry, readings, music, and personal tributes.

Tone: Focused on memories, human connections, and the life lived, without mention of an afterlife.

Best for: People who want a completely secular ceremony.

13/08/2025

The history of the funeral uniform is rooted in the traditions of dignity, respect, and symbolism within the funeral profession. In the 19th century, undertakers, often tradesmen such as carpenters or joiners began to adopt formal black attire to convey solemnity and professionalism, mirroring the Victorian era’s strict mourning customs.

Black, long associated with mourning in Western culture, served as both a mark of respect for the deceased and a visual cue of the undertaker’s role.

By the early 20th century, funeral directors began standardising their dress, often wearing black morning coats, waistcoats, and striped trousers, paired with top hats and gloves, creating a uniform that projected authority and composure.

Over time, this evolved into more practical yet equally formal attire, black suits, ties, and sometimes peaked caps, while in some cultures and military funerals, specific regalia and insignia reflect rank or tradition.

Today, the funeral uniform remains a powerful symbol of service, discretion, and reverence, connecting modern funeral practices to their historical origins.

12/08/2025

CATAFALQUE (n.)

A catafalque is more than just a structure—it’s a stage upon which history, ceremony, and remembrance play out.

Traditionally a raised platform, often draped in black cloth and adorned with candles, it is designed to support a coffin during a funeral service, or memorial service.

The word comes from the Italian catafalco, meaning “scaffold,” hinting at its solemn purpose as both a physical and symbolic support.

Catafalques have been used for centuries, from the elaborate, towering constructions of Renaissance Europe, sometimes lavishly carved and decorated with heraldic emblems, to the stark, dignified plinths used in state funerals today.

In military tradition, a catafalque may even be guarded by soldiers in full ceremonial dress, underscoring its role as a focus of respect and national mourning.

Whether ornate or simple, a catafalque serves as a powerful visual reminder of mortality, honour, and the weight of collective farewell.

31/07/2025

Tomorrow marks the 60th birthday of an office icon, the one and only Sharron Kay❤️❤️

We are posting this today because Sharon has had the audacity to book her actual birthday off!

We hope you'll all join us in wishing Sharon a very happy birthday, and from us all at Wellens we hope you have a very special birthday ❤️🎂🎂🍾🍾🎊🎈🎁🎁🎉🎉

12/06/2025

As we approach Fathers day, another difficult day on the calander for many, lets take a moment to remember all the Dads and Grandads no longer with us and lets continue to talk about them and share our happy memories.

07/06/2025

First game of the summer league for our boys today and it was a very emotional one, sadly Damo who helped to coach our boys passed away last Sunday and it has left a massive hole in everybody's life who knew him.

Damien was a larger than life character whose personality and smile lit up any room he was in and with a massive heart who would help anybody and everybody who needed it.

Damo, your boys did you so proud today coming away 6-1 winners, that one was for you ❤️💙

Collyhurst Youth JFC

28/05/2025

After 46 years in the funeral industry with 20 of them spent here at S.Wellens & Sons with a heavy heart we announce the retirement of the very wonderful Mr Dougie Crompton..

Doug will be very sorely missed around the office by all who worked alongside him and we all wish him the very best in his well deserved retirement.

Thank you Dougie for all the families you have helped ❤️❤️

24/05/2025

MASSIVE congratulations to our boys who won their final today!!!!

Fantastic win coming out 6:1 winners, they all absolutely played their hearts out after a tough season.

We are all so immensely proud of you here at S.Wellens!!!

🏆🏆🏆⚽️⚽️❤️💙

Collyhurst Youth JFC, Collyhurst Youth JFC u9 reds - Champs at Buxton!

20/05/2025

If you feel you may benefit from counselling to help you to deal with the grief you are facing due to the loss of a loved one then please take a look at the page below ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Aau8yVU77/

When all you need is to talk and be listened to, I have a warm, safe space and confidential environment to listen without judgement.

Availability online or in person for counselling appointments.
seashellcounsellingwellbeing@gmail.com for more info.