W.S. Cole And Son Funeral Directors

11/08/2025

Victorian Traditions compared to Today

The word Funeral is believed to have been first used in the 1300s,
Geoffrey Chaucers ‘ A Knights Tale’ was published in 1386 and refers to A Funeral Servyse ( spelt like that) in reference to a character who passes away.

Victorian and modern funeral customs show a significant shift in attitudes towards death, mourning, and the celebration of life. Victorian funerals were elaborate, formal, and strictly governed by societal rules, while modern funerals tend to be more personalised, flexible, and focused on celebrating the deceased's life.

Key differences
Mourning attire
• Victorian: Strict rules applied, especially to women, with widows expected to wear black for two years. Men wore dark suits and black armbands for shorter periods.
• Modern: Dark clothing is still common, but it's no longer a requirement, and many choose attire that reflects the deceased's personality.
Funeral customs
• Victorian: Lavish and expensive, often by invitation only. Focus was on mourning the loss.
• Modern: More personalised and often centred on celebrating the life lived, incorporating the deceased's hobbies and interests.
Mourning period and etiquette
• Victorian: Defined mourning periods based on the relationship to the deceased. Widows were expected to isolate themselves.
• Modern: No set mourning period; grief is acknowledged as an individual process, and socialising is encouraged.
Death and the body
• Victorian: More accepting of viewing the body, with customs like post-mortem photography and even hair jewellery, according to the University of Oxford. Funerals and embalming procedures were often conducted at home.
• Modern: Society is generally more squeamish about death and less likely to view the body. Embalming and funeral services are typically handled by funeral homes.
Other notable differences
• Online memorials: A modern addition for sharing memories and condolences.
• Green funerals: Growing popularity of eco-friendly options like biodegradable coffins and natural burials.
• Secularisation: A move away from traditional religious ceremonies towards more diverse and personalised services.

While modern funerals may seem drastically different, some Victorian traditions have endured, such as wearing black, though with less rigidity. The shift reflects changing societal values, where individuality and personal expression are valued, even in grieving

01/08/2025

IN SAFE HANDS
The Vital Role of Qualified Staff in the Funeral Industry

We at W. S. Cole & Son Value the importance of our staff being Qualified, although this is not a legal requirement currently, we feel it’s important for our families to know they are in safe hands.

With a combined 134 years of funeral industry experience currently working in our office we are equipped to look after your needs.

Jonathan has nearly 60 years of Experience looking after families and is an advocate of professional qualifications and ongoing training for all staff.

Chris and Grant hold the NAFD Diploma in Funeral arranging and administration ( Dip FAA ) and the Diploma in Funeral Directing ( Dip FD ). This was 4 years of intense Training in all aspects of the Funeral Industry.

Craig currently has his NAFD Diploma in Funeral arranging and administration ( Dip FAA ) and has just started his NAFD Diploma in Funeral Directing ( Dip FD ).

In the sombre realm of the funeral industry, where compassion, professionalism, and sensitivity are paramount, having qualified staff is not just a matter of best practice—it’s a moral imperative. The industry’s core mission—to provide solace and dignity to grieving families—demands personnel who are not only skilled but also emotionally resilient and culturally sensitive.

The Importance of Qualification
1. Ensuring Compassionate Service
Qualified staff are trained to handle delicate situations with empathy and respect. They understand the emotional turmoil families are experiencing and are equipped to offer comforting guidance through every step of the process, from planning arrangements to final farewells.

2. Professional Expertise and Knowledge
A well-trained funeral director possesses a comprehensive understanding of funeral rites, legal requirements, and health and safety standards. This expertise ensures that all procedures are conducted correctly, ethically, and in accordance with cultural or religious customs, thereby honouring the wishes of the departed and their loved ones.

3. Legal and Ethical Compliance
The funeral industry involves complex legal documentation, transportation protocols, and health regulations. Qualified staff are familiar with these legal frameworks, reducing errors and ensuring compliance, which protects both the families served and the funeral service provider.

4. Operational Efficiency and Safety
Quality training ensures that staff can manage logistical challenges efficiently, from embalming to transportation, maintaining safety standards that protect both staff and the environment.

5. The Risks of Unqualified Personnel
Having unqualified or inexperienced personnel could lead to mishandled arrangements, legal complications, and emotional distress for families. It might also tarnish a funeral home's reputation, impacting trust and community standing.

6. Building a Qualified Workforce
Investing in ongoing training and certification is essential. Many regions offer specialised courses in grief counselling, cultural sensitivity, and technical skills. A commitment to professional development not only enhances service quality but also boosts staff morale and confidence.

Conclusion
In the funeral industry, qualified team members contribute greatly to an efficient service. The expertise of experienced Funeral Directors helps ensure that families receive the dignity and respect they deserve during their most vulnerable moments. As the industry evolves, maintaining high standards of qualification and on-going training will remain crucial in honouring the departed and supporting the living.

23/07/2025

Common Myths and Misconceptions about Funerals.

Clearing Up The Confusion.

1. Using a Funeral Director Closest To You:

Myth:
Many people believe that you must use a Funeral Director in the area where the person passed away. For example, if someone passes in Blean, Canterbury they must use the closes funeral director to Blean.)

Fact:
You can use any Funeral Directors’ services that you feel can meet your needs from any area. Most Funeral Directors are happy to provide a service outside their local area.

2. Cremated Remains ( Ashes )

Myth:
A common myth is that someone else’s ashes are returned to them when cremations take place and cremated remains are divided out at the end of the day.

Fact:
All cremations take place individually and no other coffin can enter the cremator until the cremation is complete.
The Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management (ICCM) provides guidance on cremation practices, including those related to the body. ICCM's Guiding Principles for Burial and Cremation state “ … a body in a container must be placed in the cremator and the cremation commenced no later than 72 hours after the committal service. Additionally, once a container with the body is placed in the cremator, it should not be disturbed until the cremation is complete. The crematory operator should not simultaneously cremate more than one human remains in the same chamber unless it has written authorisation to do so ( example; this could be parent and child )”

3. Reusing Coffins

Myth:
The deceased is taken out of the coffin after the service and the coffin is reused.

Fact:
Once a coffin is sealed and the service has taken place, a cremation or Burial takes place with the deceased still in the coffin. The coffin is never opened or reused.

4. Paying a toll for travelling through each county

Myth:
This is a question that we are often asked by the general public as many people believe that if you are transporting a deceased person over a long distance that you must pay a fee for every county boundary that you cross.

Fact: There are no county border fees to pay and to the best of our knowledge this has never been the case although when horses were the mode of transport this quite possibly could have been the case.

5. Funeral Attire
Myth: You must wear black attire to a funeral

Fact: While wearing black is a traditional and common practice at funerals, it is not always mandatory in in today’s modern world quite often funerals are seen as a celebration and bright clothing is often worn.

6. Funeral Directors
Myth: Funerals Directors are all the same

Fact : Funeral Directors are as individual as the clients/families they serve and have their own unique ways.

7. Funeral Costs

Myth:
The myth surrounding honouring a loved must be done at great expense and with a lavish funeral to show how much the deceased was thought of.

Fact:
Funerals can be costly when considering the funeral itself, flowers, wake, memorial and head stone.
Funerals can be tailored to every budget. The choice you make should represent the person and honour their life without adding financial strain to yours.
Some people prefer a very simple funeral which still provides a dignified and respectful send off.

8. Children & Funerals

Myth: There is a common belief that we should shield children from funerals and not allow them to attend.

Fact: Every parent knows their own child and what they can cope with. Attending a funeral might help in the grieving process and understanding what happens after death. The process of mourning teaches empathy. The child learns to care deeply, to love and then to grieve. The emotional journey is central to developing compassion and emotional intelligence.

14/04/2025

We are proud to announce that since joining the company in January 2024 Craig Harkett has taken and passed his diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration.
Craig joined us with a wealth of experience and his continued personal development along with his qualification allows him to continue serving our families to the highest standard expected.

31/03/2025

In a quiet room where shadows fall,
A gentle touch, a reassuring call,
With hands that know the weight of grace,
The funeral director stands in solemn space.

He weaves the stories of lives once bright,
In whispered tones through the softening light,
Each soul a tapestry, each heart a thread,
In the quiet hush where the past is fed.

The scent of lilies, the taste of tears,
He navigates through the pain and fears,
With dignity wrapped in a calming care,
He holds the weight of love laid bare.

In tailored suits, he walks the aisle,
A steady presence, a reassuring smile,
He listens closely, for words often fail,
In the silence that hangs like a delicate veil.

Each casket, a cradle, where memories lay,
A final journey at the end of the day,
He crafts the farewell with meticulous hands,
As mourners gather, their hearts in bands.

The music whispers of laughter and loss,
A journey remembered through shadows it toss,
With every detail, he honors the past,
A legacy cherished, a love that will last.

In the depth of sorrow, he finds the light,
A guiding star in the darkest night,
With compassion that echoes through moments profound,
He fosters the healing through worlds unbound.

A bridge between realms, where moments meet,
He helps us find solace in sadness, so sweet,
Through stories and pictures, he binds the thread,
In every goodbye, there’s something unsaid.

For memories linger, though bodies may part,
He nurtures the bonds that dwell in the heart,
As he guides us through this tender farewell,
In the grip of our grief, there’s a soft, gentle swell.

So here’s to the ones who walk this high road,
To the funeral directors, a heart-laden load,
In the silence they carry, the love they impart,
A sanctuary built for the broken-hearted art.

In every farewell that draws us near,
They remind us to cherish, to hold what is dear,
With every farewell, a new start we find,
For love is eternal, forever entwined.

11/11/2024

07/10/2024

We at W. S. Cole & Son would like to Thank all those who attended our Macmillan Coffee Morning. We Raised £1000.00 towards this great cause, Here's how your donations could help:
£10 - could pay for 25 copies of the physical activity and Cancer Booklet.
£19 - Could pay for a Macmillan support worker for one hour.
£26.00 - Could run the online community forum for one hour.
£34.00 - Could pay for a Macmillan nurse for one hour.
£56.00 - Could pay pay for the work support team to man phones for any enquiries.
£60.00 - Could help run a Macmillan benefits advice service for an hour. Plus many more things that can help people living with cancer.

Thank you once again.

Also A Big Thank you to those who worked tirelessly on the day and those that baked cakes, the hard work didn't go unnoticed.

05/09/2024

After last years success we have decided to sponsor another Macmillan coffee morning on Saturday 28th September from 10am to 1pm.

16/06/2024

Thank you so much to everyone who has submitted a remembrance candle so far. The opportunity to create a candle will come to an end today (Sunday 16 June).
Candles submitted before 5pm today will be shared on our page on Monday 17 June.

https://gbnf.online/300460

11/06/2024

We’d like to thank everyone who’s created a candle for their loved one so far.

Here are some more memorial candles. If you’d like to submit a candle for a loved one, you can do so by clicking the link below.

https://gbnf.online/300460

05/06/2024

Thank you to everyone who’s submitted a memorial candle so far. We’ve now started to create your personalised digital candle posts, and they’ll begin to appear on our page shortly.

If you don't see your candle, please don't worry, we’ll share it soon. If you’d like to submit a candle for a loved one, you can do so by clicking the link below.

https://gbnf.online/300460