Inspiration

Let us inspire you

There are now so many unique and special ways to celebrate the life of a loved one. If you haven’t yet decided what sort of service you would like, take a look at these ideas and speak to us at Humphris Funerals to talk them through, or anything else you might want to discuss, and we’ll see if we can make it happen for you. Let us support, guide and inspire you to create a funeral you never thought was possible.

Alternative and unusual venues

Funerals should always be a celebration of life so consider holding a celebratory event at a hotel or farmyard barn, woodland retreat, a football stadium, club, on a boat, race track, even in the pub. There are now many uplifting venues available for celebratory services, we’d be delighted to talk through all the options with you and help find a suitable venue.

Twilight services

A personalised picture coffin

Truly reflect the character of the person whose funeral you’re arranging with a personalised picture coffin. You can choose your own photos or we can help you find something – anything from sports and hobbies to particular flowers or animals. 

A Pathway Coffin which is a natural wood, biodegradable coffin allows for a truly unique, collaborative send-off where a number of people can design their own section, or each panel marking a different part of the life lost. You can then choose a frame colour and have the panels printed in spectacular printed padded fabric giving your coffin a comforting tactile finish. You can even choose lid options – blackboard for chalk inscriptions, whiteboard for permanent marker inscriptions or a lid covered in a full picture.

A different time and atmosphere

Funeral memorial services don’t just have to take place in ‘office hours’ or on the same day as a cremation or burial. If it suits you and your guests better, or will allow you access to certain venues which may be occupied during the day, have you thought about early evenings, nighttime ‘twilight’ and weekend memorial services?

An evening memorial service can be as informal or formal as you wish, by using candles and fairy lights you can create a soft warm ambience at your chosen venue and you could also enjoy outdoor spaces in the summer months with fireworks, outside lighting, fire burners and lanterns.

Twilight services

A unique way to scatter ashes

Along with a selection of caskets and decorative urns specifically designed for keeping at home, we have pieces especially for the garden along with urns made from environmentally friendly materials including paper, sand and salt for water burials. You can also now incorporate your loved one’s ashes into a whole array of wonderful events and items. These include fireworks, launching into near-space, jewellery, diamond rings and cuddlestones as part of our keepsake options. These come in a variety of styles and designs and each can hold a small amount of your loved one’s ashes and are ideal for sharing and displaying.

 

Hearse alternatives

Think about the type of vehicle that you would like to accompany or to take your loved one on their final journey through your home town, to the service or committal, you can have something in addition or instead of a traditional hearse.  We can help organise alternative vehicles including things like a tractor, camper van, motorcycle hearse, canal boat, vintage lorry and horse-drawn hearse amongst others. So if would like a beautiful horse-drawn hearse, a Harley or something a bit different which reflects a passion, a hobby or something about the life of your loved one then do let us know and we will do our best to find a suitable vehicle.

 

Dove or Balloon Releases

A beautiful way to say goodbye and symbolise the freeing of the spirit of their loved one, ascending to the heavens is through the release of doves, bio-degradable balloons or a firework display.
Everyone can get involved with this lovely demonstration of your final farewells.

 

For those who can’t be there

Absent friends and family can now watch the service live on the internet via live streaming. This means that those who aren’t able to attend in person can still pay their respects. There are many crematoriums that offer this service. The service could be videoed to be kept and shared as a recording or you could show a video of scrolling stories along with photos, music or record messages, from a projector. We can help find providers for these types of services.

Informal Funerals

You might feel that a less traditional religious or non-religious service would better reflect your loved one’s wishes. Rather than limousines for a cortege or family transportation we could hire an SUV, people carrier, a coach or minibus and rather than the formal top hats and tails, the Funeral Director and pall bearers could wear a more casual attire such as blue herringbone suits, a different colour tie or a type of suit or costume that may fit your theme or guests style. You might also like to encourage guests to wear bright colours or a particular theme to make the whole occasion feel less formal and more celebratory. We can discuss any thoughts you may have and help create a unique funeral for your loved one.

 

Informal Funerals

Themed Funerals

Why not pick a theme for your funeral that best reflects your loved one. Themes include football, superheros, the army, fairy tales, motorcycles, country, golf, the circus etc with all elements being personalised. The Funeral Director and bearers can even dress up to be a part of the theme for you.

Themed Funerals

Personal Coffin Sprays

Flower arrangements for the coffin can take various forms to reflect the personality of your loved one. If you would like something in the shape of a football, a club logo, a name or made from fruit, vegetables, silk or dry arrangements let us know and we can help arrange this for you.

Floral Tributes

Flowers can add a bright and warm touch and reflect the love felt by those attending.

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Our pricing

Funeral prices vary depending on the type of ceremony you would like for your loved one. There are many options to choose from to make it unique and special.

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Planning ahead?

It is now really easy to plan ahead, making a huge difference by easing the burden on your family when the time comes, so they can focus on the arrangements.

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Need advice?

Humphris Funerals can assist you in every step of the funeral so please don’t hesitate to ask us about any aspects or queries you may have.

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Featured Reviews

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The service we have received from Humphris Funeral Directors has been exemplary. From the care taken by Russell and Louie to move my father to their Chapel of Rest through to his Funeral and Thanksgiving Services. Simon and Emma attended to all our wishes giving…

Martin Humphris

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Throughout Nikki made sure that the organisation of the funeral was as painless as possible for my daughter and I. Nikki went the extra mile to help us and we were very grateful to her thoughtfulness and patience. The whole Humphris team were always welcoming,…

Lesley Lainsbury

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Thank you for all your care and dedication. We felt in the safest of hands as soon as we walked through the door at Humphris Funerals. Lorraine gently and with such compassion guided us through every detail . The funeral was beautiful and perfect. This…

Julie Megson

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Humphris Funerals of Banbury, have been officiating my family's funerals for sometime - both my Grandparents, my parents & other family members. When it came to my Parents funeral wishes it didn't even cross my mind who would officiate. They are compassionate & professional in…

SHIRLEY ADKINS

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Diane was the person I dealt with most of the time but even if I just popped in to drop something off to go in mum coffin you staff were comforting & made feel cared for. The day of the service it was lovely to…

Fran Roberts

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Sensitive, Compassionate and Caring , thank you so much to Diane, Lorraine and the team. Funerals are always a sad time but the support given at such a sad time helped immensely. Thank you all Marcus x…

Dave Jones

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Dear Diane, Now that we have had a little time to reflect following my father’s funeral, I wanted to write to express my sincere gratitude to you and everyone at Humphries Funeral Directors for the exceptional care you gave our family. From the very beginning,…

Duncan Cooper

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We found Humphris Funerals delivered excellent service. As we live in Suffolk and only able to travel to Banbury at the weekend Diane very kindly met with us on a Saturday morning. Not many people would have done this and it was greatly appreciated. Everything…

Gail Fitch

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Emma and Lorraine were compassionate, supportive, patient and helpful. I wouldnt hesitate to recommend them.

Hannah Timms

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I cannot thank Diane Chapman-Hayward, Simon Collier, and the entire team at Humphris Funerals enough for the care, compassion, and professionalism they showed our family during such a difficult time. From our very first meeting, they were kind, understanding, and incredibly supportive, guiding us through…

Pauline Manley

Thinking about a Funeral Plan?

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Choice Funeral plans enable you to arrange and pay for your Funeral Director Services in advance, which could provide peace of mind to you and your family.

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Funeral Notice, Donations and Tribute Service

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