What to do when someone dies

Losing someone you love is a painful experience, and knowing what to do can feel overwhelming. At R. Locke & Son, we are here to guide you through all the practicalities and arrangements, as well as providing you with the aftercare and bereavement support you need.

Where to start

Call us on (01608) 685 274 – our phones are answered 24 hours.

We are here to help and guide you at every step of the way, and can liase with relevant organisations on your behalf.

There will be some practical information we will need in order to start making arrangements. If you wish, you can download our Helpful Information PDF to complete in advance, or we can talk you through the information when you meet with your Funeral Director.

Arrangements can be made at our offices where we can sit down in a private reception room with a cup of tea to chat, or we can make arrangements over the telephone, or come to your home if that is more comfortable for you and your family.

Helpful Information - PDF download

We can explain how to register the death and the different steps that need you will need to take depending upon circumstances. If you’d like to read about this, please select the relevant county below based on where the funeral will take place. (IS THAT CORRECT? OR IS IT THE COUNTY WHERE THE PERSON LIVED?)

Warwickshire
Geroge to advise
Gloucestershire
George to advise
Oxfordshire
George to advise

Arranging the funeral

After bringing your loved one into our care, we will make an appointment to discuss next steps. Arrangements can be made at our offices where we have private reception rooms where we can sit down with a cup of tea to chat, or we can come to your home or make arrangements over the telephone if that is more comfortable for you and your family.

We understand it can be an incredibly difficult time, and we are here to help and guide you through every stage, talking through options and ideas of how you might like things to be arranged.

Our Premises

While the practicalities and legalities are being handled, we can start making preliminary arrangements for the funeral. If your loved one has spoken about or recorded their wishes for what might happen unpon their death, you might already have a clear idea of the funeral they would like to have. Your Funeral Director will guide you through the options and help you make decisions to suit your and your family's wishes.

If you would like to talk with your family before meeting with your Funeral Director, here are some of the things will will talk about together.

Funeral Arrangements - PDF download

Your Funeral Director will by your primary contact throughout making arrangements and they will be there with you at the funeral itself.

Please visit our Meet the Team page to meet the Funeral Directors and operatives and admin staff who will support you at every stage.

Meet the team

Types of funeral

There are different types of funeral and decisions you will need to make. Here is an overview of the different types of funeral and service you can choose, and your Funeral Director will be happy to discuss these with you.

Direct Cremation
A direct cremation is essentially a funeral that is unattended by mourners. It is held at a time of our choice, and usually takes place at The Vale in Evesham. You can still come for a viewing at any of our premises, by arrangement, and funeral director and pallbearer from R. Locke & Son will personally accompany your loved one to the crematorium in the hearsette. Music can be played at the committal and you will have peace of mind knowing when and where it will take place, and that R. Locke & Son will be there on your behalf.
Simple Funeral
Usually based on a Direct Cremation, a simple funeral maybe an ideal choice for families who are thinking of a direct cremation but would also value an opportunity to gather and remember. Our Chapel of Rest in Brailes is the ideal setting for a small gathering. We can guide you to more simpler and cost effective options for coffins, with the choice of either the hearse or hearsette for your loved one to travel to the Crematorium.
Natural Burial Ground
Burial at a natural burial ground and nature reserve gives the choice of a more ecological option in a tranquil location, with graves often marked by trees and sometimes with a memorial plaque for family and friends to visit and remember. Locally, there are natural burial grounds at Sun Rising Natural Burial Ground which is located between Banbury and Stratford upon Avon, Oakley Wood at Bishop's Tachbrooke near Leamington Spa, and Alne Wood Park in Alcester as well as other venues across the UK. A natural burial can be arranged either with or without a service beforehand at the venue or elsewhere.
Traditional Full Service - Burial or Cremation
A traditional full service funeral can be religious or non-religious, and a burial or cremation. Some families may prefer a church or crematorium service, and we can work with ministers and celebrants to personalise your loved one’s funeral with music, readings, hyms, flowers and your choice of coffin, order of service and other details meaningful to your loved one and family. Funerals can be live-streamed, if you wish for others to watch the funeral remotely who cannot attend in person.
Brailes Chapel of Rest
Our chapel of rest at Brailes is also available for families to use for small services. With beautiful country views, our light and airy Chapel in Brailes seats up to 22 people in a range of configurations and is perfect for small and intimate religious or non-religious services or for a small farewell service in conjunction with a direct / unattended cremation. Recorded music can be played or you can have a live musician, and we have an electric piano available for your use. It is possible to have the service livestreamed if you wish.

From the most elaborate bespoke send-off to a no fuss direct cremation, being an independent funeral director enables us to meet your needs whether you choose a traditional, modern, simple or low cost direct service.

We will work with you to create a fitting farewell for your loved one.

“ I would like to comment on the wonderful service that over the years my family has received from R. Locke & Son , Grandparents buried in 1976. Dad in 1999, Mother in 2004, Aunt in 2022, as you can tell there has been a gap in the span of the years but the level of service has never altered, Locke's have always given excellent customer care, nothing is too much trouble, I thoroughly recommend them. ”
Doreen McCarroll, Facebook Comment
“ Our lovely Dad Derek died on January 19th after a short battle with dementia and his funeral was on February 17th, so I have had plenty of time to reflect on how we gave him his final send off and celebrated his wonderful life! And we would not have changed a single thing. Colin looked after us throughout, from collecting Dad when he died, to helping us organise a wonderful naval based funeral with a guard of honour and liaising regularly with ourselves and with our lovely friend, Arthur who took the funeral. It was all perfectly fitting and deserving for Dad and could not have gone any smoother than it did. Colin and any of his team we met along the way, treated us with nothing but courtesy and respect and we Thank them very much for that and would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending them to anyone at all! Their office and chapel in Brailes and the setting is absolutely beautiful and the thought that Dad was looked after there until his funeral was very comforting indeed. Thank you all so very much for your professionalism and kindness. ”
S Cartlidge
“ I would like to thank Duncan and his team for the organisation of my fathers funeral. As a family, we have used their services many times. The day went perfectly, apart from the weather, and we were well looked after by everyone concerned in a very dignified fashion. I can highly recommend Locke's to take care of every fine detail for your funeral needs when the day comes. ”
N Morris
“ I would have no hesitation in recommending the services of R. Locke and Son. I cannot thank all of the team enough for their professionalism, compassion and gentle direction following the death of my partner. Knowing that he would be respectfully cared for, and that I would be guided throughout the whole process of planning a fitting funeral service made the situation just so much easier. No request, question or concern was ever too much – always answered promptly and skilfully by any member of the team. The service itself was beautifully conducted with attention to detail and empathetic respect. You are amazing people. Thank you. ”
G Hawtin
“ The professionalism and respect this company has towards its clients going through such terrible grief is exemplary. I cannot thank George and Bruce enough for the handling of my sister's funeral. The service was so beautiful and moving and my sister was treated with the utmost respect. I can't recommend this family run company highly enough. Many, many thanks. ”
K Price
“ R Locke & Son were extremely sensitive, helpful and professional making the whole process of arranging a funeral a relatively easy process even during lockdown. Everything was explained and Colin was available at any time if there were any questions or changes needed. Wonderful service. ”
D Holland
“ Family run funeral directors run by George Locke. They provided an excellent, sympathetic and very professional service for two loved ones who departed just a week apart. Highly recommended at a time of huge grief and difficulty. ”
Chris H
“ Compassion and excellence throughout. From the very first phone call, I knew immediately that we were in safe hands. The respect and courtesy shown was exemplary and really helped to ease our own grief and heartbreak. I had limited knowledge of what I needed to do and when but I need not have worried at all, as both George and Bruce, and the rest of the team, were exemplary. We received all the advice and information we needed to prepare for the best funeral service possible. I would wholeheartedly recommend this exceptional company and can now see why my husband (who was a Vicar himself) chose R. Locke and Son to be his own undertakers for caring for him at the time of his death and beyond. ”
S Coles
“ Every little detail was handled with such care and professionalism for my father's funeral. We were guided carefully by Colin, which when you are grieving is incredibly helpful as it can be overwhelming. The things like getting the chosen music, service sheet and timings we did not have to worry about at all. I have no hesitation to recommend R. Locke&Son as you are in safe, compassion hands. Thank you ”
J Cox
“ Having recently lost my mother, R Locke & Son made a difficult time a little easier with their professionalism and compassion. I felt like mum was in very good hands with them and the whole process was respectful and dignified. George was always on hand to answer any questions I had and the day of the funeral went so smoothly. I would recommend R Locke & Son to anyone looking for a local, professional, compassionate funeral directors. ”
R Jarrett
“ R Locke & Son has overseen the funerals of both my parents in 2020 and 2023. The service they provide is outstanding and exceptionally professional. Both George and Belou were incredibly caring when we were going through very difficult times. Thoroughly recommended. ”
N Organ