Frequently Asked Questions

There are a number of questions that will be at the forefront of your mind as and when you come to arrange a funeral. Hopefully, you will find the answers to some of those questions below.

Q: Are you a family owned Company?
A: Yes. We are 100 per cent owned by the Field family, who play an active part in the day to day management of the Company. The Field family have been funeral directors for over 300 years.


Q: Why do you have so many names?
A: We work on the basis of family businesses within a family business. Therefore many of the names of our local businesses, such as Ballard & Shortall, Deric Scott and Christopher Stringer Funeral Service, reflect the names of those who run those businesses and who you will find inside the funeral homes.


Q: Is using a family owned business really important?
A: Obviously every funeral director will have different merits, and you are free to choose whichever matches what you are looking for. As a Company, we believe that we are best placed to serve bereaved families, drawing upon our knowledge and feelings as a family. Our family ownership means that we are not answerable to 'men in suits' who are looking to make quick profits.


Q: Why are funerals so expensive?
A: There are many reports which eloquently articulate an argument that funerals are expensive. However, within the final cost which they report, they include all of the third party costs (which we call disbursements) that we pay on your behalf. These include Doctor's fees, Minister's fees, the cost of purchasing a grave space or being cremated and so on. We are not able to set these costs ourselves, but through our membership of the National Association of Funeral Directors actively campaign to keep these costs to a minimum on your behalf.


Q: Do you sell funeral plans?
A: Yes. We offer a range of funeral plans to suit your needs. Further information on the plans that we sell is available on our 'Services' page.


Q: Why do you use Rolls Royce vehicles?
A: We believe in offering the very highest quality of care and service. For us this is epitomised by using the best possible quality vehicles. We believe that the Rolls Royce vehicles that we use are a visible demonstration of the high levels of service and care that we offer.