Dandelion Farewells

18/02/2025

Day1 of next steps to grow into the building adjacent to our current premises.
A productive site meeting with our builders and work is underway!
Estimated project time is six weeks… watch this space ~ for our new space!

Our construction team/electrician/service providers are very sensitive to the rhythm of our day-to-day commitments, but visitors may be aware of a little more activity than usual.

We have always offered a home visit for all our arrangement meetings and will ensure that each appointment we make is sensitive to activities close to our premises.

15/02/2025

Planning a funeral date can be dependent on so many factors significant to the people making the funeral arrangements.
Take your time, find your own rhythm to having conversations and making decisions.

However, currently, a key influencing factor in our area is the (extended) timeline for the formal admin processes:
-> the Medical Certificate to be completed by the doctor
-> then this is to be scrutinised and approved by the Medical Examiner (new role/procedure since Sept 24, includes a telephone call with next of kin)
-> then the approved Medical Certificate being sent to the Registry Office
-> then the next of kin to make an appointment to register the death (& receive the death certificate* and the form generated for the cremation/burial - ‘the green form’*)

This new process is taking time, unfortunately.
You may read online that the death should be registered within five days, but in our area, this is taking up to fourteen days.
Please don’t be concerned, there are no fines applied, but you will need to be patient.

At Dandelion Farewells, our bespoke, valued approach to support funeral planning:
~ we have good communication links with the Medical Examiners’ offices in different areas and we will be proactive in finding out when you will be contacted, to help with your expectations;
~ we have petitioned on behalf of some families to have this assessment prioritised, so registration (& the funeral) can be completed without delay;
~ PLEASE NOTE ~ we will always meet with a family prior to the death being registered, to begin the funeral planning (it is our understanding that some other companies require you to have registered before meeting to arrange the funeral, which can create a difficult delay for those preferring to consider the funeral options and make decisions).

Contact us when you are ready. We don’t have set expectations for the funeral date ~ we will be guided by you.

(*familiar terminology most often used by regular folk, rather than technical, clunky titles of documents)

An independent funeral company created to gently support people to make individual choices

06/02/2025

Reflecting on some recent conversations and feedback from families ~ if you are the close relative or friend of someone receiving end-of-life care in a residential/nursing home or hospice, it is wise to consider which funeral director you will call upon when the person dies (because in most of these care settings you will be asked for an immediate decision)
… and, if you haven’t planned this, just pause… there shouldn’t be a suggestion that the staff “call their funeral director” ~ it’s not their decision, it’s yours.
… and, since it is no longer a requirement for a doctor to visit the person after their death, a person doesn’t need to specifically stay with the local funeral director.
… and, it is okay to change funeral directors, if you then become aware of another company who you feel would better meet your preferences, and which you would prefer to use.
… because the choice really is YOURS.

04/02/2025

Goals for 2025…
We were in the classroom today! ~ training for our new online office management system.

It is our intention to streamline our administration and recording processes, particularly as we increase our office spaces and develop our colleague team going forward.
Judith & Clare are familiarising with our new software, guided by Katey My Freelance Admin.

An equally significant purpose of the new system is to reduce the amount of paper we use, as we strive toward our platinum award with Greener Globe Funeral Standard

2025 ~ 10th anniversary year ~ moving forward

25/01/2025

Our new library of films, launched for our 10 year anniversary (also available on our website).
Watch & share ~ be informed about funeral options & the unique support we provide.

Based in West Sussex, Dandelion Farewells is proud to serve our local community in Surrey and West Sussex. We will collect the person that has died and care for them until the day of the funeral. On the day of the funeral, we will transport the coffin in our modern vehicle and provide staff to carry...

23/01/2025

What a wonderful occasion we enjoyed yesterday, marking our 10 year anniversary by revealing the special film project we have been developing during the last few months.
Thank you to all who joined us to give thanks for all that has been accomplished since our launch in 2015, and to share our aspirations for 2025.

Our appreciation to the brilliant filming team who have helped to nurture and create the film library, which went online at 5pm yesterday, on our website and YouTube! (Pictured here: Luna of Whistlestop Arts , Martin, Geoff & Elodie of Silvertip Films) See: https://dandelionfarewells.com/

We were delighted that Fran Hall, CEO of The Good Funeral Guide CIC was present to share words on this day, later writing:
“Such a privilege to be invited to share the celebrations of 10 years of Dandelion Farewells, the inspirational funeral company in West Sussex, created by the human whirlwind (in a very quiet and unassuming way) that is Judith Dandy.
In the ten years since 22nd January 2015, when Dandelion Farewells was launched, Judith’s dream of an ethical, sensitive, community-centred funeral service has more than come to fruition.
Judith and her team offer totally personal support and service, both to individuals and to the much wider community they serve. Today we heard a little about the past, and some of the plans for the future, and it was a very special privilege to be invited to take the microphone to talk about Dandelion Farewells and why they are a GFG Recommended funeral director.
Huge congratulations to Judith, Jim and the entire family and the Dandelion Farewells team past and present, who have all played a part in this journey.”

~ In the community, for the community ~
2025… here we come!

22/01/2025

Today is a very special day for Dandelion Farewells, as we celebrate our ten year anniversary.

We give thanks to all those who supported the launch of Dandelion Farewells ten years ago, particularly family and friends, who have journeyed with us through the joys and challenges and held us with so much love, understanding and kindness ~ Thank you.

We celebrate the steadfast commitment of all our colleague team, past & present, who have contributed so much kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness to supporting bereaved people and those we have been trusted to care for. Each person in our team has helped to develop our work and impacted our reputation for excellence ~ Thank you.

We are immensely grateful for the guidance, partnership and support from so many professionals across the country, in many settings, who have shared their knowledge through training, mentoring and demonstrating best professional standards ~ Thank you.

We remember all those who we have guided through funeral arrangements and feel honoured to have walked alongside you ~ Thank you.

Today, as we look back with so much gratitude, we also look forward with much hope and ambition for our plans this year ~ new property, new opportunities and deepening our connections in our community to serve where needed.

To mark today, we are launching something very new, quite different and what we intend will be immensely helpful ~ details to follow a little later…

07/01/2025

Come along and join the conversation!
Everyone welcome (& perhaps you’d feel more ‘anonymous’ if you’re not regularly living/working in Worthing).
Dandelion Farewells is invited as the chosen funeral director to contribute to the event.

We’re thrilled to share that Bluebird Care Worthing will be hosting an Ageing Well Event!

This event brings together expert speakers from a range of fields, including solicitors, care advisors, funding advisors, and future planning specialists.

Learn valuable insights on legal matters, planning for care, securing funding, and preparing for the future. Whether you're planning for yourself or a loved one, this event offers practical advice and resources to ensure a healthy, secure, and fulfilling later life.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to make informed decisions for a brighter tomorrow.

04/01/2025

Throughout last year, a theme of many of the community talks and written pieces we produced was ‘lining-up your ducks’ / ‘getting your ducks in a row’ ~ for making known your end of life wishes and funeral choices.

Shopping in duck shops (yes, they exist!) to acquire visual prompts became quite a humourous hobby to introduce the theme! For many decisions/projects we put in so much planning and preparation.

As we pack away Christmas 2024, I am reflecting on all the focused planning, effort and attention we have given for the festivities ~ and pause to consider if similar thought goes in to the big, significant questions that will be considered on our behalf, if we are incapacitated or we die, particularly: Powers of Attorney (POA), executors of our will for our estate (the possessions and money we leave) and funeral wishes ~ sounds heavy, but so important.

I encourage you to have the conversations ~ and sometimes just a little bit of light-hearted humour can help you get started.

Katie Costello - Soul Midwife and Funeral Celebrant
Sara Strivens. End of Life Companion
Will Instructions Limited

31/12/2024

Now at the turn of one year into the next ~ all that has been loved is still loved.
Our place for reflection and remembrance is available each day until Sunday 5th January.
Lighting a candle and placing a personal tribute star tag on the tree may be significant ~ continue to say their name.
Please contact us if you would like a star placed on your behalf.

The stars from previous Christmases are also there, wrapped within the glass jars.

27/12/2024

Loved ~ Missed ~ Remembered 🤍
Our place for reflection and remembrance continues to be available at St Peter’s Church, Wisborough Green until 5th January.
As the new year approaches, we continue to take our memories into the months ahead.

21/12/2024

Our remembrance area at St Peter ad Vincula church, Wisborough Green ~ just across the road from Dandelion Farewells. The glass jars have all the message stars from previous years 🤍 we honour each tribute. Please let us know if you would like us to place a star on your behalf, as we approach Christmas and the new year.

15/12/2024

A special weekend for many ~ placing tribute stars on the tree and lighting a candle ~ in memory of someone special who has died, and is so very much loved, missed & remembered 🤍
Our place for reflection and commemoration is available for all, everyday until 5th January, at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Wisborough Green.
Perhaps you know someone who may appreciate this opportunity, please do share these details.

11/12/2024

An opportunity for private reflection and gestures of remembrance, at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Wisborough Green.
We warmly invite all those for whom this would be significant, please share these details with others who may find it helpful 🤍

09/12/2024

Our Christmas remembrance area is available for you ~ all who are remembering those who have died and whose absence feels very poignant at this time of year.
Wisborough Green village church is open every day, you are warmly invited to visit for personal reflection, to light a candle, to write a message on a star tag and hang it on the tree ~ we remember you, as you remember them 🤍
(We suggest visiting between 10am-3pm,
Friday mornings are an open coffee morning at the church, if you would value coffee, cake & company.)

An independent funeral company created to gently support people to make individual choices

07/12/2024

Recently, Dandelion Farewells was invited to give a talk entitled ‘Planning Your Funeral’ at a conference for health and social care professionals. In the limited time available, we tweaked the focus of the presentation to highlight the important significance of choosing the right funeral director … so you can be sure that your ideas and wishes will be put in place (and in the context of the conference~ that care professionals know all they need to know to answer the questions that clients/residents/family will no doubt ask about who they could contact to arrange their funeral at the time of need).

An informed choice can only be possible if you know some questions/principles that would be important to you.
These may include:
~ Q: Where will the person be looked after? & by who? & how?
~ Q: Who will look after you, your person and your people? Are they compassionate and heart-centred? Will you have a continuity of care throughout the time of the conversations for planning the funeral and coordinating everything for you on the day?
~ Q: Can you receive transparent, honest & fair financial information? (Upselling products you may not need / commission payments / profit margins - apply your considered opinion of these commercial aspects to your considerations.)

For these core questions (& many others) you can be absolutely assured that for Dandelion Farewells, human connection and service to others is the very essence of all that we do. We are open, honest, compassionate, trustworthy and connected.
Please contact us to ask any questions you may have.

Today is Small Business Saturday ~ a focus on independent local companies giving their heart and soul to benefit their community.

Please contact Dandelion Farewells to ask any questions for planning a funeral and how we do what we do ~ we wholeheartedly support these conversations.
Check us out! It’s okay to ‘shop around’!
Be deliberate in your decision for your funeral director ~ and then make sure your key people know your intention.

03/12/2024

As is tradition, there are many different remembrance services and gestures facilitated during December by charities and organisations, providing opportunities to remember those who have died recently or through the years.
At Dandelion Farewells we understand that special days and anniversaries can be especially difficult following a bereavement, often very poignant at Christmas.
~ On Friday evening we will be supporting the Shining Stars Christmas Remembrance Service at St Mary's Church Horsham (see details below).
~ Throughout December we are providing an area for private reflection at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Wisborough Green, to which everyone is warmly invited to visit. There is an opportunity to place a star message tag on the Christmas tree and light a candle.
(Full details in the poster below, please get in touch if you would like individual invitation cards or a poster for your place of work or community group).

~ “Christmas feels so difficult, it’s just not the same. But it will still go on and we will say their name.”

01/12/2024

Following this recent newspaper article that includes personal experiences of journalist Jane Warren alongside Dandelion Farewells for funeral support, it was a delight to meet Jane again this week. The principal material for the article is an interview with Rupert Callender, revolutionary funeral director and author of “What Remains: Life, Death and the Human Art of Undertaking’, who I have also had the privilege of meeting in the early days of creating Dandelion Farewells ~ he inspired many of our founding ideas.
Jane is a very special ambassador for our company, championing our message for each individual funeral being unique and relevant to those who are saying “farewell”. (PS and don’t buy the stuff you don’t want or need!)
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1978169