George Ball & Son

31/12/2025

Margaret Hempsall
Peacefully on 16th December 2025 aged 94 years.
Much loved wife, aunt, sister, sister-in-law and friend.
Requiem Mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Didsbury on Thursday 8th January 2026 at 12:00 noon followed by cremation at Manchester Crematorium - New Chapel at 1:30 PM.
Donations if wished to Alzheimer's Society via https://memorygiving.com/margarethempsall
All enquiries to George Ball & Son - Funeral Directors
Tel: 0161 432 2131

*Shared with family permission
*There is no live stream available for this service - be scam aware.

31/12/2025

What to Say Instead of ‘Happy New Year’ to Someone Grieving
For someone who recently lost a loved one, saying “Happy New Year” is not the most appropriate greeting. You wish them well, but try one of these suggestions for a more thoughtful way to express your feelings:

I understand how challenging it must be to start this new year without (name). I miss them as well.
We'd be delighted if you could ring in the new year with friends. Would you consider joining us?
I'm sorry that (name) is not here to start this new year by your side.
I am thinking of you on this New Year's Eve, knowing it's not the same without (name).
I hope the new year brings you healing and strength.
I know this time of year can be difficult, and I'm here for you.

30/12/2025

David George Cheetham
Son of PC George Cheetham A126 Manchester City Police.
Peacefully on 4th December 2025 aged 83 years.
Much loved brother of Susan, brother in law to Michael, Uncle to Christopher and Catherine, Great Uncle to Finnley and wonderful friend to Jayne.
Service will be held at Stockport Crematorium - Rowan Chapel on Friday 9th January 2026 at 12:15 PM.
Donations if wished may be made to Dogs Trust via https://memorygiving.com/davidcheetham
All enquiries to George Ball & Son - Funeral Directors
Tel: 0161 432 2131

*Shared with family permission.
*There is no live stream available for this service - please be aware of scams.

29/12/2025

This space between Christmas and New Year can feel quiet.
A New Year approaching can feel heavy rather than hopeful.
When grieving, this space can bring up thoughts, memories or emotions you weren’t expecting.
Journaling can be a gentle way to sit with what’s there.
Here's three prompts to help you reflect on 2025 and look to 2026.
For more information, visit https://ow.ly/ONrQ50XL2Cj

24/12/2025

If you find yourself needing to speak to somebody this December, here are some of the support services available to you:

23/12/2025

❓❔ Did You Know ❔❓

24hrs a day, 7 days a week we are here for you - including Christmas and New Year. Our out of hours service is staffed by a full time member of our team: never a third party, call centre or answer machine. You can call us anytime on 0161 432 2131.

22/12/2025

Let's talk.

How does it make you feel when somebody starts to talk about your loved one?

Good?

Sometimes people feel uncomfortable because they don’t want to upset you or cause you any more pain.

What we need them to remember, is that it’s okay to say their name.

21/12/2025

Thank you so much to everyone who has submitted a memorial candle so far.

Light a Candle will come to a close today (Sunday 21 December). Candles submitted before 5pm today will be shared on our page on Monday 22 of December.

https://gbnf.online/306687

20/12/2025

In our eyes, a person lives on through the impact they’ve had on others, in the lessons they’ve taught and in the love that they’ve given which continues to shape the world even after they’ve gone.

Whilst we may have to say goodbye to their physical presence, they will live on through the stories we tell and the way in which we will pass on their qualities to those we share our lives with.

Eternally loved and always remembered.

18/12/2025

We’d like to thank everyone who’s created a virtual candle for their loved one so far.
If you’d like to submit a candle for a loved one, you can do so by clicking the link below.

https://gbnf.online/306687

18/12/2025

Series 2, Episode 4 of "Over My Dead Poddy" - the podcast dedicated to Busting Myths for funerals.

This week we’re talking legacies — the real kind, not the dry legal sort. We’re joined by Katie from Dead Good Legacies, who’s flipping the script on death education and showing why your impact doesn’t end when the funeral does. We dig into how personal a goodbye can be, what losing someon...

17/12/2025

How do you cope with Grief at Christmas?

Whether it’s the first year, or one of many following a bereavement please remember that you are not alone. Cruse Bereavement has some useful advice about how to see Christmas through.

https://www.cruse.org.uk/understanding-grief/managing-grief/christmas/

For those of you who may be struggling, we send our love.

And if you need to talk, the are available night and day on 116 123

Grieving over Christmas can be incredibly painful. We're here to help you make sense of how you're feeling.