We can bring your loved one into our care from anywhere in the UK.

Hospital

Collection of your loved one from a hospital will be done as soon as possible, but this usually takes 3 -4 working days for the medical paperwork to be completed. Please call the bereavement team at the hospital and advise them that we are the funeral director so that we have authorisation to apply to bring your loved one into our care. There is no charge to bring your loved one into our care from a local hospital within a 15-mile radius.

At Home

If your loved ones passes away at home, we will be with you within approximately 2 hours. There will be a charge of £250 for this service.

Please call us once the death has been verified by a medical professional. Please keep all the windows and doors closed. Of course, if you would like to spend more time with your nearest and dearest, please just let us know when you would like us to come.

We will ask you some practical questions on the phone before we arrive to ensure that we bring the right equipment with us for a dignified collection of your loved one.

You may wish to consider if you would like your loved one dressed in their own clothes. We would be more than happy to collect these and personal belongings that you may like them to have with them at the time of collection.

Care Home

If your loved one passes aways in a care home, we will be at the home within 2 hours, once the death has been verified by a medical professional There will be a charge of £250 as all care homes expect us to come within a couple of hours even if in the middle of the night.

Hospice

If your loved one passes away in a hospice, we will usually bring them into our care either within a couple of hours or the following day. This is dependent on the time of their passing and if the medical paperwork has been signed by the doctor. There will be charge of £250 to bring your loved one into our care.

Your loved one will be kept on our premises and looked after by us with care, dignity and like one of the family. Our Funeral Director Becky says ‘good morning’ and ‘good night’ to all the people in our care.

If you tell us your loved ones' favourite pieces of music, we will happily play this for them whilst they are in our care.

Rounce Funeral Services has conducted over 2000 funerals during the last 20 years, and we have never embalmed anyone.

The process is toxic, invasive to your loved one and totally unnecessary in the 21st century if the Funeral Director has refrigeration storage for the departed. At Rounce Funeral Services we have such facilities on our premises and that is why we never embalm.

We are proud to be listed on both the Good Funeral Guide and The Natural Death Centres' websites as recommended Funeral Directors for this very reason.

In exceptional cases like transporting someone who has passed away overseas, this may be necessary, and we would be happy to discuss this with you on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, that’s absolutely fine with us.

We have male and female dressers who are professionally trained in preparing your loved one. So, rest assured the dressing will be done with dignity, care and respect.

We can also give gentlemen a shave if required and their hair will be washed and brushed.

Ladies can have their hair washed and blow dried if you would like. If required, we can apply some make up for you if you would like to bring in their favourite shade of lipstick or nail polish.

Also feel free to drop in a favourite aftershave or perfume. If you would like we will use this scent on the day of funeral to provide comfort to you as your loved one is carried into the chapel.

It is always useful for our dressers to have a photo of your loved one handy!

If you would like you to, you are also more than welcome to be present and involved when we dress your loved one. You will be guided by our professional team and we can have the music on and tealight candles. Some families find this really comforting and the last act of love for your loved one.

Yes, absolutely.

We think it's lovely that your loved one goes on their final journey accompanied by their treasured personal possessions and family mementoes. Society has been doing this for 5000 years since ancient Egyptian times.

We are always happy to embrace your loved one’s passions and hobbies. Items we have had in the past are family photos, their beloved cuddly toy, last newspaper that someone was reading, an unfinished crossword, or their favourite sweets or even family pets ashes.

If you choose to visit your loved one in our Chapel of Rest you are welcome to place any letters, photographs and cuddly toys during the visit.

If you do not wish to visit, we would be more than happy to do this on your behalf. We will always place the items with care and attention in their hands or near their heart.

The only restrictions that we need to consider are if your loved one is having a natural burial or cremation, we need to be mindful that the items are biodegradable and do not contain any glass or batteries.

Once we have received your loved one’s clothing, our team will arrange to dress them with the utmost care and dignity—female staff will dress women, and male staff will dress men. This usually happens within a day or two after receiving the clothes. If it’s more convenient for you, you can send the clothes by recorded delivery.

After your loved one has been dressed, we will contact you to arrange an appointment for a private visit to our Chapel of Rest. Scheduling an appointment ensures that your visit is uninterrupted and allows us to maintain a peaceful, private atmosphere.

Our Chapel of Rest comfortably accommodates 6-8 people at a time, but multiple groups can visit in succession if more people wish to pay their respects.

The space is cosy, with soft lighting and candles to create a calming ambiance. If you wish, we can play your loved one’s favourite music, and there is a selection of poems and readings available should you want to say something meaningful.

Visits can be arranged as either a ‘closed coffin’ visit, where the lid remains on, or an ‘open coffin’ visit, if you would prefer to see your loved one or hold their hand.

Whether you’ve chosen a direct cremation or an attended cremation, we welcome you to visit and spend time with your loved one. It can be an important, cathartic experience for many.

For families choosing direct cremation, we also offer the option of a brief, intimate service of up to 20 minutes, led by a Minister or Celebrant. The officiant can say a few words, read a poem, and play music—giving you a chance to say a private goodbye in a meaningful way.

The choice is yours!

You have the choice if you would like a Cremation, Burial, Natural Burial or a simple memorial service with your loved one’s ashes, following a direct cremation.

We are more than happy to work with you and your family to find the perfect venue for your loved ones' send off.

We have conducted many services in local crematoriums and churches, but times are changing.

Some of our customers are now looking at venues such as hotels that can encompass the service and the reception which can be a beautiful setting around the South Downs. We will talk through the options and do everything we can to make it happen for you.

We are happy to travel anywhere in a 50-mile radius or even further afield for an additional charge.

We would be delighted to show you around our premises including the offices and practical areas at the ‘back of house.’

We have been inspected by Worthing Borough Council and SAIF, our governing body this year and passed their inspection with flying colours.

Yes, you can choose your preferred date for the funeral, but there are some time constraints and considerations to keep in mind:

For Direct Cremations: The cremation typically takes place around 10 days to 2 weeks after your loved one is brought into our care. You can select your preferred date, but the exact time of the cremation cannot be chosen. Crematoriums usually conduct the cremation in the morning on the selected date, but they won’t provide an exact time.

For Attended Funerals: These usually take place about 2-3 weeks after we bring your loved one into our care. This allows time for family and friends to prepare such things as arranging music, hymns, photos, service sheets, eulogies, and meeting with the celebrant. It also provides time to organize the Wake, including the venue and food.

Shorter Time Frames: If necessary, a funeral can be arranged more quickly, particularly if it's a simpler ceremony with fewer mourners. However, this may require rapid organisation of elements like music, hymns, photos, and the Wake which may be more stressful for you.

We work closely with a selection of experienced male and female Funeral Celebrants, Vicars, Ministers, Priests and other religious leaders. After meeting with you and your family to understand your values and the essence of your loved one, we will match you with an officiant who will put you at ease and help share meaningful stories and memories.

If you have a specific celebrant in mind, or if a family friend would like to honour your loved one by conducting the service, we are happy to accommodate that request.

Typically, the celebrant or religious leader will visit your home to meet with you, hear your stories, and view photos, which helps them capture the personality of your loved one. They can assist as much or as little as you prefer during the service. Whether you’d like the celebrant to lead the entire service, including the eulogy, or simply handle the welcome, committal, and closing words—leaving the eulogy to the family—the choice is yours.

The celebrant can also recommend poems, music, and assist with script writing, ensuring the service flows smoothly within the given time constraints. Some of our celebrants can also provide bereavement support to family members, if needed.

At Rounce Funeral Services, if you prefer a simpler graveside service, our Funeral Directors are happy to offer a brief service, reading a poem and offering a few words for a small fee. For Direct Cremations, we also offer an intimate service in our Chapel of Rest. This includes 20 minutes of service time with music, a simple eulogy, a poem, and words of comfort, allowing you time to say your final goodbyes in private.

The length of the funeral ceremony depends on the type of venue you choose.

Private Venues (e.g., Barn, Hotel, Village Hall or Community Centre): If you select a private venue, such as a barn or hotel, there is more flexibility regarding the length of the service.

Religious Venues (e.g., Church, Cemetery or Churchyard): For a church or other religious venue, there are no strict time constraints. Typically, a religious service lasts about 1 hour, followed by a few words of committal and words of comfort at the graveside or crematorium.

Crematorium Services: At a crematorium, there are strict time limits. Each time slot is 40 minutes, which includes seating the mourners at the beginning and allowing them to exit at the end. This is usually enough time for a simple, dignified 30-minute service for up to 40-50 guests, which may include a eulogy, a slideshow of photos, a poem, and 3 pieces of music.

If you expect more than 50 mourners or want a more personalised service with additional music, readings, or slideshows, we recommend booking a double slot. This will give us more time and flexibility to ensure a smoother service without feeling rushed. It also allows time for a more emotional and meaningful farewell, such as allowing mourners to say their own goodbyes to the coffin without hurry.

Typical Funeral Service Format:

The Funeral Director will accompany the hearse to the chapel entrance, symbolizing respect and dignity for your loved one.

Gathering music will play as mourners take their seats.

The Celebrant will play the entry music while pallbearers (or family pallbearers) carry your loved one into the chapel.

Pallbearers and Funeral Director will bow to the coffin and take their seats.

The Celebrant will deliver words of welcome.

Eulogy or life story is shared.

A slideshow of photos set to music, or reflective music, plays.

Quiet reflection period.

Committal.

A poem is read.

Words of comfort are offered.

Closing remarks are made.

Exit music plays as mourners say their farewells and may touch the coffin before exiting.

This structure ensures that your loved one’s service is conducted with respect, dignity, and in a way that honours their life.

Yes, with some considerations, anyone can be a pallbearer, and we always encourage loved ones to be involved if they wish. Even if someone is shorter or taller than others, we will adjust how the coffin is carried to ensure everyone can participate comfortably.

On the day of the service, our Funeral Director will meet with the pallbearers at the church or crematorium and walk them through the process. There’s no need to worry if you haven’t done it before or feel unsure—you’ll be guided every step of the way, and everything will go smoothly.

Typically, there are 4 or 6 pallbearers, but we may require 8 or 10 if the loved one’s coffin is larger. Taller pallbearers will be positioned at the head or back end of the coffin, with progressively shorter pallbearers positioned towards the foot or front. All pallbearers will need to walk in step, starting with the left foot. The Funeral Director will have walked the route beforehand, noting any potential obstacles such as steps, narrow doors, or low-hanging chandeliers.

At the crematorium, the coffin will be placed on a catafalque, a decorated wooden framework. In a church or other venue, we will provide wooden trestles for the coffin to rest on. The Funeral Director will ensure the coffin is properly aligned, making adjustments to any items placed on top, such as a hat, flowers, or personal mementos. Additional flowers will be arranged around the coffin to surround your loved one with the love of those who have sent tributes. A framed photograph may also be placed at the head of the coffin for mourners to see.

Once the coffin is in place, the pallbearers will position themselves evenly around it. On the Funeral Director’s command, all pallbearers will bow in respect and then be dismissed to their reserved seats.

We also encourage younger children to be involved if they wish, although we understand that pallbearing may not be suitable for them. Children can walk with the Funeral Director (holding their hand if they’d like) in front of the pallbearers or carry flowers, for example. If they want to take part, we will make sure they have a special and meaningful role.

While carrying a loved one’s coffin can feel daunting, Rounce Funeral Services will guide you through every step to ensure the experience is dignified and meaningful. You’ll be glad you were able to be involved in this important act of respect.