Quality funeral directors companies Harwood Park: Austin’s Family Funeral Directors has been serving the communities of Hertfordshire for over three centuries. The Austin family is committed to the continued provision of a caring, sympathetic and sensitive service to the bereaved and their loved ones. This has established Austin’s as Hertfordshire’s leading, family-owned and operated, funeral director. In 1997, the family designed and built Harwood Park Crematorium and Memorial Gardens to further serve the needs of the local community. Find additional info on funeral directors Harpenden.
Other trends embrace the changing ways in which we communicate – such as inviting people to attend a funeral via social media. The key most influential trends noted by funeral directors in 2022 were: Online streaming – while safety restrictions have been removed 37% of funerals are streamed live via website links band video apps. Social media funeral invitations are used by 28% of people planning funerals. Music – a wider variety of music types are played at funerals. This is noted by 21% of funeral directors. Colourful clothing is increasingly worn to funerals according to 13% of funeral directors. 6% of research participants have seen an increase in the number of funerals being videoed. Personalised funerals – a 6% increase in the demand for personalised coffins has been noted, along with a 4% increase in bespoke requests personalised to the deceased.
Austin’s Funeral Directors is one of the oldest and most prestigious companies in Hertfordshire. (We’ve been helping Hertfordshire people for over 320 years.) Each year, the directors choose a local charity to support. As a family business working closely with members of the community, we carefully select charities helping local people. During 2024, Austin’s chosen charity is Feed Up Warm Up, a homeless charity based in north Herts. Feed Up Warm Up offers food and friendship to homeless people in our community who need support. However, it is not a traditional food bank or homeless shelter. Instead, Feed Up Warm Up provides a safe, welcoming space, one evening a week, where guests can pop by to enjoy a hot meal and a chat, hear some live music and find practical and emotional help.
Some common responsibilities of a funeral celebrant include: Meeting with the family of the deceased to gather information about the person’s life, achievements and personal beliefs. Preparing a personalised funeral service that reflects the deceased person’s personality and life story. This is usually tailored to reflect the person who has died, and the wishes of the deceased and their family. Collaborating with the family to choose appropriate readings and music that are significant to the person who has died and their loved ones.
A eulogy is an opportunity to remember the life of a person who has died and provide comfort to those who are mourning. It is read aloud during the funeral service. Whilst there is no strict structure involved with preparing a eulogy, the following details are usually included: Introduction: Start with a brief introduction, introducing yourself and your relationship with the person who has died. You can also include your thoughts about them as part of your introduction.
Direct cremation is an increasingly popular funeral option, with demand more than quadrupling in the last four years. The number of burials has remained consistent throughout this period. However cremations, traditionally the most popular funeral choice, has become split between traditional and direct cremation options. A direct cremation is the simplest option available: one without any service or ceremony with no congregation and a very simple coffin. Demand has increased from just 2% in 2018 to 18% in 2022. (Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2023) Find additional details at https://austins.co.uk/.