In Memory Of Life Funeral Directors

Independent & Family Run Funeral Directors

When a loved one passes away it can be overwhelming. Our job is to simplify the process, allowing you to focus on your family and organising a funeral that is right for you. We are kind, compassionate, completely flexible to your requests, charge affordable prices and never request a deposit up front

Why Choose In Memory Of Life Funeral Directors?

Photo from Liz de Havilland

In Memory of Life Funeral Directors

Greater London

Supporting You to Plan a Funeral Throughout London

At In Memory Of Life Funeral Directors, we take great pride in supporting you to plan and personalise the funeral to the unique life of your loved one. This may be a religious ritual, an environmentally friendly coffin, playing music from their favourite artist or perhaps just keeping things simple and straightforward. Whatever it is, we will help you create it

Create A Personalised Funeral Estimate

We aim to provide you with complete transparency around all costs to ensure there are no surprises. Our quote builder allows you to see easily select the options that are right for you including a comparison of local crematorium or cemetery options

With between a 20 and 60 minute cremation service in the crematorium chapel

Burial Funeral

With a service in the cemetery chapel or other chosen place of worship

All simple yet respectful and dignified cremation without a funeral service

What do we do differently?

Independent & Family Run Business

We treat every single family as if they were are own. Either Matthew or Harriet will be your dedicated single point of contact throughout the funeral planning

You are at the heart of everything we do

Our only aim is to help you create the farewell you are looking for and we will work tirelessly to make every choice possible for you

Complete Flexibility with Decisions

We provide you with complete control on all decisions including the funeral date, choices and everything else. There will never be any restrictions

Flexible Funeral payments

We do not ask for any deposit up front and our team will discuss the best way for you to make the funeral payment, including support for government funding

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Simple Funerals

There are many reasons people choose a Simple Funeral whether that is specifically by request from the person who died or perhaps to keep the costs of the funeral down. Whatever your reason, we have a number of options for you to choose from so that you are able to provide a dignified farewell for your loved one. This includes the option to host an interactive virtual funeral service through zoom, giving other the opportunity to still feel part of the day.

Direct Cremation

We Choose Crematorium & Date
£ 1699
  • Location and date of the cremation decided by us
  • Collection, care and transport of your loved one
  • Provision of a simple coffin
  • Completion of all paperwork & legal administration
  • Cremation carried out privately behind closed doors
  • Your loved one's ashes are hand delivered back to you (Optional - £100)

Direct Cremation

You Choose Crematorium & Date
£ 1899
  • Cremation at your choice of local crematoria & date
  • Collection, care and transport of your loved one
  • Provision of a simple coffin
  • Completion of all paperwork & legal administration
  • Cremation carried out privately behind closed doors
  • Your loved one's ashes are hand delivered back to you (Optional - £100)

If you would like any further information on any of these options, you can speak directly with our team for advice

Cemetery Burial

A cemetery burial may involve either burial in a churchyard or cemetery burial site of your choosing. Most cemeteries will have a chapel where you may choose to hold a service prior to a graveside committal service, or you may decide to have a ceremony at completely different location.  It is also possible to bury the cremated ashes remains within most cemeteries.  

Each funeral will be personalised to your individual needs, but here are some things you could expect:

Your chosen hearse, and limousines if requested, will transport the coffin to your chosen venue directly or via another address such as your home You do not have a to have a funeral procession if you don’t want to, and can opt for a vehicle to transport the coffin directly

Most cemeteries will offer a chapel for a 30 to 60 minute service, however it is also entirely possible to hold the ceremony at any alternative venue with the owner’s permission.

You can speak to us and your funeral celebrant about options available which may include a ceremony at an alternative location with a short committal service at the graveside. Option you may wish to consider are: 

  • Church – You may wish to have the ceremony within a church or religious building first followed by the burial in the Woodland Burial Ground
  • Local sports or social club – Were they a member of any local clubs? Most will have a private function room area where a memorial/funeral service can be held
  • Your private home – Taking the person back home can be an important moment to say goodbye
  • Any alternative venue – So long as you have the owner’s permission or council approval, there are no rules about where you must hold the funeral. It could be a barn, a theatre, outdoors or anywhere you choose

There is no script or specific format that you need to follow, the funeral ceremony can be whatever you choose it to be. We can match you with an experienced funeral celebrant to help you to plan every detail for the ceremony to ensure it is truly personal, including:

  • Your choice of music  – Traditionally an organist may play however like with all aspects of the funeral, you can personalise this however you wish. It could be your loved ones favourite songs, a live singer, a jazz band or anything you choose. 
  • Live streaming the funeral – With the current coronavirus pandemic, many families are making use of the live streaming facilities available within most crematoriums in London. This can be a great way to involve family members or friends who are sadly unable to attend the funeral in person.
  • Eulogy and other spoken words – This can take whatever format you wish. You may wish to share some of your own personal stories, have people submit some beforehand and have them read out, or offer the opportunity for anyone to speak on the day.
  • Carrying the coffin –We will provide professional coffin bearers (palbearers) for the day. Under normal circumstances we would be be able to facilitate family members to help carry the coffin however this is currently unavailable due to restrictions in place for Covid 19

At the end of the ceremony the coffin will be carried to the graveside. The final moments before the coffin is lowered into the ground are known as ‘the committal’. You can spend this time however is right for you.

Most types of grave will require 12 months for the ground to settle before erecting a full memorial – you can use a simple grave marker in the meantime​

Example Cemetery Burial Package

Products and Services

In Memory Of Funeral Director Fee

£1,495

Professional Coffin Bearers x 4

£200

Light Wood Effect Coffin

£285

Traditional Mercedes Hearse

£300

Simple Rose Sheaf

£40

Subtotal:

£2,320

Disbursements (payments to third parties)

Burial in London Borough of Greenwich

£3,165

Subtotal:

£3,165

Total Example Cost:

£5,485

Speak to a Funeral Adviser directly now by calling

Create A Bespoke Cemetery Burial Package

Select a cemetery location to create a personalised quote in your area. You can also browse our many options and services available to personalise your funeral quote

Woodland Burial Funeral

Also known as a natural burial or a green burial, this type of funeral is the most environmentally friendly option. Woodland burials are rapidly growing in popularity and are often more cost effective, with the person laid to rest in one of the many beautiful natural burial grounds across the UK.

Also known as a natural burial or a green burial, this type of funeral is the most environmentally friendly option. Woodland burials are rapidly growing in popularity and are often more cost effective, with the person laid to rest in one of the many beautiful natural burial grounds across the UK. Each funeral will be personalised to your individual needs, but here are some things you could expect:

Each funeral will be personalised to your individual needs, but here are some things you could expect:

If you choose a woodland burial then the coffin will need to be made from biodegradable natural materials. We have a wide selection available for you to choose from

Your chosen hearse, and limousines if requested, will transport the coffin to your chosen venue directly or via another address such as your home You do not have a to have a funeral procession if you don’t want to, and can opt for a vehicle to transport the coffin directly

Most natural burial grounds offer a ceremony facility however it is entirely possible to hold this at any venue with the owner’s permission

Our team can help provide alternative options and suggestions. You may wish to think about: 

  • Church – You may wish to have the ceremony within a church or religious building first followed by the burial in the Woodland Burial Ground
  • Local Sports or Social Club – Were they a member of any local clubs? Most will have a private function room area where a memorial/funeral service can be held
  • Your Private Home – Taking the person back home can be an important moment to say goodbye
  • Any Alternative Venue – So long as you have the owner’s permission or council approval, there are no rules about where you must hold the funeral. 

There is no script or specific format that you need to follow, the funeral ceremony can be whatever you choose it to be. We can match you with an experienced funeral celebrant to help you to plan every detail for the ceremony to ensure it is truly personal, including:

  • Your choice of music  – Traditionally an organist may play however like with all aspects of the funeral, you can personalise this however you wish. It could be your loved ones favourite songs, a live singer, a jazz band or anything you choose. 
  • Live streaming the funeral – With the current coronavirus pandemic, many families are making use of the live streaming facilities available within most crematoriums in London. This can be a great way to involve family members or friends who are sadly unable to attend the funeral in person.
  • Eulogy and other spoken words – This can take whatever format you wish. You may wish to share some of your own personal stories, have people submit some beforehand and have them read out, or offer the opportunity for anyone to speak on the day.
  • Carrying the coffin –We will provide professional coffin bearers (palbearers) for the day. Under normal circumstances we would be be able to facilitate family members to help carry the coffin however this is currently unavailable due to restrictions in place for Covid 19

At the end of the ceremony, if you choose to have one, the coffin will be carried to the graveside. The final moments before the coffin is lowered into the ground are known as ‘the committal’. You can spend this time however is right for you.

Woodland burial grounds accept wooden crosses, plaques or the chance to plant a memorial tree at the person’s grave.

You can speak to us about what is possible at your chosen burial ground and we will provide you with all of the information you need.

Example Woodland Burial Package

Products and Services

In Memory Of Funeral Director Fee

£1,495

Professional Coffin Bearers x 4

£200

Natural Wicker eWillow Coffin

£365

Electric Hearse

£300

Simple Rose Sheaf

£40

Subtotal:

£2,400

Disbursements (payments to third parties)

Eden Valley Burial Ground in Kent

£1,170

Subtotal:

£3,570

Total Example Cost:

£3,595

Speak to a Funeral Adviser directly now by calling

Create A Bespoke Woodland Burial Package

Select your crematorium location to create a personalised quote. You can also browse our many options and services available to personalise your funeral quote

Cremation Funeral

Cremation funerals account for over 70% of funerals in the UK. You can hold the full funeral ceremony at any of our listed crematoriums. Alternatively you may choose to have the ceremony at a completely different location and date following the cremation. It is entirely up to you whether you would like the service to be religious or non-religious and we can help you to find a suitable person to lead the ceremony, whether that be one of our celebrant or an ordained minister.

Each funeral will be personalised to your individual needs, but here are some things you could expect:

Your chosen hearse, and limousines if requested, will transport the coffin to your chosen venue directly or via another address such as your home. You do not have a to have a funeral procession if you do not want and can meet the hearse directly at the crematorium

Each crematorium will offer a chapel for a 30 to 60 minute service, however it is also entirely possible to hold the ceremony at any alternative venue with the owner’s permission. Our team can help provide alternative options and suggestions. For example a meaningful committal service at the crematorium, followed by a personalised ceremony at one of the following venues: 

  • Church – You may wish to have the ceremony within a church or religious building first followed by the burial in the Woodland Burial Ground
  • Local sports or social club – Most will have a private function room area where a memorial/funeral service can be held
  • Your private home – Taking the person back home can be an important moment to say goodbye
  • Any alternative venue – So long as you have the owner’s permission or council approval, there are no rules about where you must hold the funeral. 

There is no script or specific format that you need to follow, the funeral ceremony can be whatever you choose it to be. We can match you with an experienced funeral celebrant to help you to plan every detail for the ceremony to ensure it is truly personal, including:

  • Your choice of music  – Traditionally an organist may play however like with all aspects of the funeral, you can personalise this however you wish. It could be your loved ones favourite songs, a live singer, a jazz band or anything you choose. 
  • Live streaming the funeral – With the current coronavirus pandemic, many families are making use of the live streaming facilities available within most crematoriums in London. This can be a great way to involve family members or friends who are sadly unable to attend the funeral in person.
  • Eulogy and other spoken words – This can take whatever format you wish. You may wish to share some of your own personal stories, have people submit some beforehand and have them read out, or offer the opportunity for anyone to speak on the day.
  • Carrying the coffin – We will provide professional coffin bearers (palbearers) for the day. Under normal circumstances we would be be able to facilitate family members to help carry the coffin however this is currently unavailable due to restrictions in place for Covid 19

Known as ‘the committal’, this final moments are often marked by a curtain obscuring the coffin and can be an important moment of closure. But there are many ways you may wish to say a final goodbye. You could ask attendees to decorate the coffin with a personal message, leave a flower on top, light a candle – whatever it is that feels right for you

There is a large selection of options for retaining the ashes. After the Cremation you can decide the most fitting place for them. A lot of people choose to hold a celebration of life at a later date. Some of the options available include:

  • Storing the ashes at home – We have a variety of urns available for the ashes including for the home and the garden
  • Scattering in a memorable place – Whether as part of a memorial service or not, many people choose to find a specific and memorable location to scatter the person’s ashes.
  • Garden of remembrance – The majority of Crematoria will have a Garden of Remembrance where you can scatter the ashes at no extra cost after the cremation
  • Burial in a crematorium, cemetery or woodland burial ground – The majority of crematoriums, cemeteries and woodland burial grounds will also allow you to purchase a burial plot specifically for burying a person’s ashes. This is a far more affordable option than a traditional grave and will provide a single location for anyone to return and visit over time
  • Water burial –A burial in a the lake, river or the sea can be a popular choice, especially for people who found tranquility within the waves. We have a selection of biodegradable and water soluble urns , which will initially float, dissolve, then sink
  • Creative alternatives – Our team can help and advise to access a number of creative alternative options including a turning ashes into a painting, jewellery, fireworks or even sending them into space

Example Cremation Funeral Package

Products and Services

In Memory Of Funeral Director Fee

£1,495

Professional Coffin Bearers x 4

£200

Light Wood Effect Coffin

£285

Traditional Mercedes Hearse

£300

Simple Rose Sheaf

£40

Subtotal:

£2,320

Disbursements (payments to third parties)

West Norwood Crematorium

£491

Subtotal:

£491

Total Example Cost:

£2,811

Speak to a Funeral Adviser directly now by calling

Create A Bespoke Cremation Funeral Package​

Select your crematorium location to create a personalised quote. You can also browse our many options and services available to personalise your funeral quote