Katie Mills Independent Funeral Service

01/07/2025

As we begin our 6th year as Katie Mills Independent Funeral Service, we look back on the past 5 years.
We have come such a long way in that time, the business has evolved, ever moving forward, ever innovating, ever striving to be the best we can. Dragging the funeral industry into a bright new future whilst still holding on to the traditions expected.
In the beginning people thought we would not last a year, we were told we were not liked in the industry ,that we didn't have the experience , well we are still standing and have proved the doubters and haters wrong. Its been a long and hard road, being on call 24/7, but wouldn't change it, with at least one of us always bringing in to care usually both of us ,we keep a close connection with our families, its us you speak to on the phone, us who will greet you in the funeral home, us who will be with on the day. Truly a family business.

We offer bespoke in house designed by Katie, Orders of Service and visual tributes, no one of them is ever the same. Sending families digital flip books of the OOS so they can actually see the the design in its proper quality, but also for families watching a webcast of the service they can have a digital OOS identical to the printed version.
The extensive use of QR codes, to enable people to access donations instantly, OOS and visual tributes etc. We offer
Digital portals for families to access so they can make choices for the funeral from the comfort of their own home.
Conducting funerals in bespoke venues, sometimes without mains power , offering families a different alternative with out compromise to care and respect. Our Heroes scheme we set up on day 1 has given the families of Torbay over £40,000 in discounts .Bespoke in house coffin designs, who can forget "The Flying Scotsman" coffin.

We have passed inspections with ease, Our procedures & care booklets have been taken and used as example of best practice, First funeral directors in the UK to win the prestigious ERS Gold Award from the MOD. Regulation in the industry is long over due and we are ready for that, by being proactive we are ahead of the game. The list of achievements goes on, looking forward, we have an exciting addition to the business offering families more choice which we will be launching over the coming months.

A Thankyou to everyone along the way who has helped and guided us. Huge thankyou to our team, without you guys we would not be where we are today. Finally a thankyou also to all the families that have trusted us to look after their loved ones.

19/06/2025

We had the pleasure of having Steve with us yesterday , gave him a tour and explained the innovative ideas that we bring in to the funeral industry as well as some of our ideas for taking the business forward. Also explaining how we are already very much compliant and ahead of the game with what we believe will be required once regulation is bought in.
In addition the day before we had our NAFD inspection with David Hunter for the renewal of our certificate. We passed with flying colours with David saying " Your Standards are exceptional as always".. A very happy and productive week.

Thank you to Katie and Rob of Katie Mills Independent Funeral Services for hosting Steve yesterday afternoon. It was a pleasure to see how Katie and Rob demonstrate such care and professionalism whilst caring for our bereaved families in Torbay. Your uniquely personal approach and how your make services individual and personal to the families is truly beautiful.

To find our more about Katie Mills Independent Funeral Service you can visit their website www.kmillsfuneralservice.co.uk

26/04/2025

We are so lucky to have the team we have. Every one of them go over and above every single time. We are so grateful to you all... Just missing the lovely Gary Mundy..... thank you guys as always ###

31/12/2024

From the team at Katie Mills Independent Funeral Service, we wish all our amazing families and clients a peaceful New Year and a heartfelt thank you for all of your love and support in 2024.

As always, we are available during the New Year holiday by calling 01803 520103.

13/08/2024

Thank you to Funeral Guide for the wonderful congratulations. We have reached 100 verified 5-Star Reviews on Funeral Guide.

Thank you also to our amazing families and everyone who has taken the time to review our service and for your ultimate trust in us as a small new business.

Please use the link in the comments below to see what our families have said about us and our service.

11/07/2024

Had an incredible day yesterday here, big thankyou to Wessex RFCA for the invite , John, Emily and Leanne. A real money can't buy behind the scenes tour of the Royal Marine Commando Training base, the training facilities, accommodation, recruits in training and the infamous bottom field, really great informative talks & presentations on Royal Marines Reserves the Royal Marines Charity and what it takes to become a Royal Marine .Highlighting the importance of having ex service personnel, reservists etc in your business and the benefits and skills they bring with them.
Thankyou to all involved for a truly special day.
If your company has not signed the Armed Forces Covenant yet please look in to it, the benefits to you as a business far out weigh your input, incredible way of supporting our Armed Forces, Ex service, Reservist , spouses and families.

11/03/2024

Many people will have seen the hugely distressing news stories regarding a funeral director in Hull this weekend. We want to take a moment to reassure families whose loved ones we have cared for, both past and present.

Since opening in 2020, we have wanted to demonstrate the care and professionalism we provide to our families. We became members of the leading funeral industry trade bodies. We became NAFD (National Association of Funeral Directors) members in 2020 and SAIF (The National Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors) in 2021. This means that we are bound to the NAFD Funeral Director Code, which guides the actions, behaviour, and standards of all NAFD funeral homes. We are also bound by the SAIF Code of Practice, which promotes industry-leading standards of care and safeguarding.

These Codes of Practice are designed to help those in funeral service act in the public interest and aspire to the highest professional standards. They include specific outcomes regarding how deceased people are cared for and the transparency of information provided to bereaved people, as well as more general requirements to meet all relevant laws and regulations.

In addition to our trade bodies, IFSO (Independent Funeral Standards Organisation) team of inspectors provides independent oversight of our services. Our funeral home can be inspected without warning at any time. These comprehensive inspections include checks in our mortuary area. We have passed every inspection we have been subject to by trade bodies and IFSO. We hold IFSO Approved Status.

Our mortuary facility was a brand-new installation in 2022, and we use only industry-leading products to provide the care we offer. Your loved one is only cared for by either Rob or me or (if required) a BIE (British Institute of Embalmers) qualified embalmer.

We welcome any inspection of our facilities by trade body inspectors, medical professionals, care staff, and family members, should this be helpful to them.

Our thoughts go out to all the families affected in Hull, and we are on hand to answer any questions families may have about us, our facilities, and our standards of care or processes.

Katie

https://www.nafd.org.uk/
https://saif.org.uk/
https://ifso.org.uk/
https://ifso.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IFSO-Code-20.01.22.pdf

23/02/2024

A big thankyou to Dorset Carriage Masters for the 2 limosuines today, just what the family wanted. Excellent, quality service from Ged & Ben. Also thankyou for the help from both of you on what was a huge service.. 😀.

19/12/2023

Rob and I, along with all of our team would like to wish all our families, friends and industry colleagues a peaceful Christmas and New Year. Sending our love and best wishes to you all. ### Katie