The Fantastic Funeral Company - Bespoke Funeral Arrangements

Arranging a funeral is daunting and can be particularly distressing and difficult to address when emotion is raw. The Fantastic Funeral Company is able to advise on many aspects of funeral arrangements and you can discuss with us, in confidence, the wishes you would like to be carried out. • Bespoke Funeral Arrangements • Themes and Venues • The Final Journey • Memorials and Commemorations Bespoke Funeral Arrangements Our bespoke arrangements allow you peace of mind in knowing that the funeral will be designed exactly as you require. Take the following example of a carefully arranged, bespoke funeral: Sarah has asked us to co-ordinate every aspect of her funeral celebration. She would like a dark oak coffin but her other requests are far from traditional. Attendance is strictly invitation only and dress code is ‘dress for a wedding’. No wreaths are required only corsages and button holes. The celebration will be opened by amusing stories and anecdotes about her life followed by a DVD recording made prior to death. She has asked that the service concludes with guests dancing and singing along with Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky”. Sarah’s guests are to dine at her favourite hotel. She will be toasted with cake and champagne and her life will be celebrated with the same enthusiasm by which she lived it. Her ashes are to be scattered at a place she visited many times with her partner and a bench in an area of natural beauty will allow her friends time to sit and contemplate.
































Themes and Venues What type of funeral do you want? When someone dies, family and friends often face dozens of decisions, often the most important question of all can be overlooked – what type of funeral do you really want? Many of the people we have spoken to over the last few years have expressed surprise and delight when we have explained that a funeral does not have to be held in a church or crematorium. In fact, as long as the venue has been agreed, a funeral can be held almost anywhere. The proprietors of all the venues we have listed agree that the funeral celebration, including the coffin, can be held at the locations we describe. This means the celebration can be highly individual, creative and personal, designed to a specific theme and tailored accordingly. A Civil Celebrant may conduct the funeral if you wish.















Four Legged Friends The Yorkshire Dales is one of the most beautiful locations in the UK and The Devonshire Arms Country House is besieged with awards for both food (Michelin Star) and wine (1st place Top UK Restaurants for wine). It was the ambience that did it for us ~ not at all stuffy, the staff were unobtrusive and friendly. This place, owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, is gorgeous and is the most glorious of settings for an elegant send off! Most importantly, if you would like your four legged friends to attend your funeral -dogs are more than welcome at The Dev!





It’s not David Hockney But it has that sort of feel. If you consider yourself modern, sophisticated and arty then the Devonshire Fell further along the dale could be perfect place for your funeral celebration. The interior design created by the Duchess of Devonshire is colourful and vibrant, and the contemporary art & sculptures are inviting and appealing. The Dalzell Room offers a peaceful and lovely setting for the funeral celebration and its unspoilt views over the River Wharfe and the village of Burnsall helps to add to an image that would look good in watercolour.





Sir John Betjeman & Charles Tennyson Visited The Old Hall during the 50’s and described it as ‘a love and inspiration’ and it most certainly is. Nestling in the Wolds, The Old Hall at Sausthorpe in Lincolnshire dates back to the late 15th Century and provides a beautiful and historical setting for a funeral celebration. During the summer months celebrations can be held outside in the extensive, mature landscaped gardens. Other times of the year the Music Room with its unique mural by Carlos Sanchez is a perfect setting for a funeral buffet. A Jazz band or pianist is available to play.




For the King, Queen, Lords and Ladies (within you) Ripley Castle has fulfilled many roles during the last seven centuries and has hosted many very special events over the years. We are delighted that Sir Thomas and Lady Ingilby have agreed to unique and memorable funeral celebrations being conducted within the castle. Choose the splendidly panelled Library for an intimate gathering or The East wing for larger numbers. Both are magnificent settings for a fantastic funeral service and celebration that may leave guests thinking ‘how do I follow that?’







Let Music be the Food of Love Why not have both? It may well be difficult to choose a themed menu because there are twenty one on offer at Hazlewood Castle, ranging from the Six Course Mystery Menu to the Menu of Tranquillity. And with tranquillity in mind the Chapel at Hazlewood is possibly one of the most moving settings for a musical ending. We visualised an evening candle lit ceremony led by a magical choir and finishing with the food. Mmm, that’s a happy ending.






Fore!! Golf is one of the country’s most popular sports and with this in mind we suggest Rudding Park near Harrogate for golf enthusiasts. A family owned hotel, Rudding is set in 300 acres of beautiful mature parkland. The 18 hole golf course sweeps along the edges of this elegant house making this a perfect setting for a funeral.

If The Going’s Good Ripon Race Course, known as ‘The Garden Race Course of the North’, is a beautifully-kept course offering tradition, quality and three suites all within sight of the course itself. The Wakeman Bar caters for up to 200 seated guests, for a less formal reception the Hornblower Room or the Champagne and Seafood Bar are ideal. If the going is good, why not have your horse drawn hearse take you down the six furlong straight to the winning post! At a later date, ashes may be scattered on the course.




The Beautiful Game Perhaps your life long passion was for ‘The Beautiful Game’, if so, Elland Road, home to Leeds United, provides the setting for a football funeral! The function suites can accommodate anything from an intimate gathering to a large crowd and a variety of menu choices from a celebration buffet to a three course meal can be arranged. Later, we can arrange for ashes to be buried under the pitch.

The Ashes v The Challenge Cup Well not quite, but if cricket or rugby is your thing ‘The Headingley Experience’ is a perfect choice. If you are undecided about whom to support the suite that overlooks both the cricket pitch and rugby ground is a good bet! Upon request, at a later date, ashes can be buried in the Garden of Rest belonging to the grounds.




‘Garden of Rest’. Green Funeral at Tarn Moor Diversity of beliefs, a wish for nonconformity and a conservation approach to death are some of the many reasons why burial outside the strictures of church or local authority is being sought. This lovely burial site is situated near to Skipton, elevated and giving long reaching, panoramic views over the adjoining countryside.Our coffin makers are a creative team; a Leeds United coffin, cricket bat, something lavishly bejewelled or the simplicity of seagrass. Do talk with us about anything you have in mind.





The Final Journey A traditional hearse, VW hearse, a Harley with sidecar, horse drawncarriage or perhaps a lorry. Whatever mode of transport is chosen for the final ride, make it a fitting tribute. Motorcbike & Side Car Horse Drawn Carriage Lorry Hearse VW Bettle Hearse Land Rover Hearse

















































Memorials and Commemorations In addition to bespoke funeral arrangements, The Fantastic Funeral Company can help plan and organise memorial and commemoration celebrations. Both are a way of reuniting friends and family at a later date. It can be a great comfort for all involved and can take any form that is wished. You might choose to have a fund raising occasion for a favourite charity or a meal where people have the opportunity to reminisce. Summertime picnics for friends and family followed by a tree planting ceremony can also be memorable occasions.











Ripley Castle With tree planting in mind, we have an arrangement with Ripley Castle whereby a memorial tree can be planted, tended and protected. Recently we arranged for an oak tree to be planted before the death of a client, so providing the opportunity to visit and view her own special tree where ashes will be added at a later date. To discuss your requirements in complete confidence, please email The Fantastic Funeral Company here, or telephone us on 0113 269 7892. You may also be interested in: Financial Planning for a Funeral Legal and Financial Services