Houghtons Funeral Directors · 01925 729998 (24 hours)

Handled with Care

Before you decide, talk to someone local, talk to us.

Online advertising can make a funeral decision appear straightforward. But before choosing, it helps to understand what is included, what alternatives are available and who will care for the person who has died.

Handled with Care is a national campaign from SAIF—the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors—encouraging families to speak with a local, independent funeral director so they can make informed decisions with personal support.

At Houghtons, we welcome that conversation, whether you need help now or are considering your wishes for the future.

An informed choice starts with a conversation

With national online direct cremation services becoming increasingly visible, families may encounter advertising long before they speak to a local funeral professional.

Direct cremation may be the right choice for some people. Others may prefer a small attended farewell, a traditional funeral or a separate memorial gathering. What matters is understanding the differences and choosing what suits your wishes, circumstances and budget.

A conversation with Houghtons gives you the opportunity to ask questions, explore alternatives and understand the care and services we provide—before making a commitment.

Questions worth asking before you decide

  • Who will care for the person who has died, and where?
  • Who will be my contact throughout the arrangements?
  • Where will the cremation or funeral take place?
  • Can family or friends attend, and what choices are available?
  • Is visiting the person who has died possible?
  • What does the price include, and could there be additional charges?
  • When and how will ashes be returned?
  • What happens if our wishes or circumstances change?

Watch the Handled with Care campaign film

The campaign invites families to pause, ask questions and explore their choices with a local, independent funeral director. Watch the film, then contact us about anything you would like to discuss.

Watch on YouTube. Film from SAIF’s Handled with Care campaign.

Personal farewells, told by the families

These families share how they worked with a local, independent funeral director to create a farewell that reflected the person they loved. Their experiences may help you consider your own wishes and the questions you would like to ask.

  • Amrit Lal’s Story (4 minutes 16 seconds). How a personalised farewell brought family and friends together to celebrate two lives. Watch on YouTube
  • Freddie Orton’s Story (5 minutes 38 seconds). How a local funeral director helped a family create a deeply personal goodbye for their eight-year-old son at home. This film discusses the death and funeral of a child. Please choose whether and when you feel comfortable watching. Watch on YouTube

Films from SAIF’s Handled with Care campaign. These stories feature other independent funeral directors.

Have these stories raised a question?

Talk to Houghtons about the choices available and the personal touches that matter to you.

Explore your choices

These three links lead to the Handled with Care campaign website, run by SAIF. They open in a new tab.

Speak to Houghtons before you decide

You do not need to know all the answers before contacting us. We will listen, explain the options and provide clear information about our services and costs.

Whether you are considering direct cremation, an attended funeral or recording your wishes for the future, we are here for an open conversation, without pressure or obligation.

Handled with Care is a national campaign by SAIF. This page introduces its resources alongside information about Houghtons Funeral Directors.