Armstrongs Funeral Service

Armstrongs Funeral Service

Providing a truly caring and personal service 24 hours a day, everyday An independent family funeral director in Bury St Edmunds Suffolk, we have learned that taking the time to listen is important. We offer an extremely personal service with care, compassion, choice and attention to detail at every step. Because we are an independent company, we don’t have quotas to fill or targets to meet. Nothing is more important than giving you good, honest advice and all the time you need to make decisions about the funeral service you would like.

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Who We Are Unfortunately, most of us will be confronted with the task of arranging the funeral of a loved one, which, in the midst of grief, can be a daunting ordeal. Our fully trained staff are available to give personal and discrete service at any time of the day or night, at weekends and on public holidays. Once our services are engaged, everything can be left in our care, giving peace of mind to you and dignity to the deceased. It is a time when we need all the help and support we can summon, particularly in the early days of our loss, when some very important decisions will need to be made. To this end we have produced the information on our Web site to supplement the specialist information we provide to our families. Our Company We are a well established, locally owned and independent family company committed to providing the highest standards of care and service to each family that we serve. Our company has grown through establishing a high reputation and through personal recommendations. From the moment of first contact Armstrongs will guide the family step-by-step through the arrangements and through all other items such as announcements in local or national papers, arranging floral tributes, catering and memorials. Our Service Entrusting a funeral director with the responsibility of looking after a loved one is not a task to be taken lightly and that is why the needs of the family are of paramount importance to us. We believe that each funeral should be as individual as the person who has passed away, we therefore pride ourselves on the wide choice of services we provide. Because of the size of our company we are able to provide a highly personal and truly caring approach. The care taken in providing these services has helped us to establish a highly trusted and personally recommended funeral service. Single Minded Devotion As an Independent Funeral Service all of our attention is concentrated on satisfying the needs of the family. We are not distracted or bound by corporate rules handed down from head office. We are flexible and responsive to your needs. Devoted To Families, Not Profit We strive to provide the best possible service at the best possible price to all of our families. With a range of options from the most simple to the most elaborate, working within your budget we can source everything available to give your loved one the send off that best suits their character and memory. Large concerns answer to shareholders. We answer to you. In our locally owned firm there is no pressure from head office to increase profits. We know our business will do well when we serve you well. A Traditional British Funeral Service We have no connection whatever with the American conglomerate SCI, the Co-Operative Funeral Service or Dignity Funerals UK, of whom many control funeral directors in this country and indeed Bury St. Edmunds. We are proud to remain the trusted, locally owned, independent family funeral service. A Short History Of Armstrongs How we started, how we have grown and where we are now. As a family-run company, we are big enough to cope with all requirements but are still small enough to care.

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Prices and Packages

At Need Funeral - Standardised Pricing List.

ATTENDED FUNERAL (funeral director’s charges only)

£ 2,250.00

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Taking care of all necessary legal and administrative arrangements	£410.00
Collecting and transporting the deceased person from the place of death (normally within 15 miles of the funeral director’s premises) into the funeral director’s care	£310.00
Care of the deceased person before the funeral in appropriate facilities.	£600.00
Providing a suitable coffin	£295.00
Viewing of the deceased person for family and friends, by appointment with the funeral director (where viewing is requested by the customer)	£0.00
At a date and time you agree with the funeral director, taking the deceased person direct to the agreed cemetery or crematorium (normally within 20 miles of the funeral director’s premises) in a hearse or other appropriate vehicle	£635.00

UNATTENDED FUNERAL

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Burial (funeral director’s charges only)	£1,475.00
Cremation (funeral director’s charges plus the cremation fee)²	£1,475.00

FEES YOU MUST PAY

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For an Attended or Unattended burial funeral, the burial fee.¹ In this local area, the typical cost of the burial fee for local residents is: For a new grave, you will also need to pay for the plot; for an existing grave with a memorial in place, you may need to pay a removal/replacement fee. In addition, the cemetery may charge a number of other fees.	POA
For an Attended cremation funeral, the cremation fee.² In this local area, the typical cost of a cremation for local residents is:	£1,345.00

ADDITIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

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Additional mileage (price per mile)	£1.95
Additional transfers of the deceased person’s body (e.g. to their home, to a place of worship etc.) (price per transfer)	POA
Collection and delivery of ashes	£1.00
Embalming	£150.00
Funeral officiant (e.g. celebrant, minister of religion etc.)	POA
Services supplied outside of normal office hours	POA

The funeral director can give you a full list of what they can supply. They are likely to charge for these additional products and services, so you may choose to take care of some arrangements without their involvement, or you can use a different supplier.

1. This fee (which is sometimes called the interment fee) is the charge made for digging and closing a new grave, or for reopening and closing an existing grave.

2. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you will usually need to pay doctors’ fees as well. This is the charge for two doctors to sign the Medical Certificates for Cremation.

Prices correct as from 10/07/2025and may be subject to change. E & O.E.

Our Services

Our Simple (Standardised) Service - £2250 Our Simple Funeral offers a more straight forward service, including all the essentials in a pared down package. Unlike the traditional service certain restrictions apply. Our Simple Service includes the following:- Making all the necessary arrangements and obtaining all the necessary legal documents. The availability of professionally trained staff, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Bringing the deceased into our care during normal office hours. Use of our Chapel of Rest by arrangement during office hours. A limited choice of days and times for the funeral service. Receiving floral tributes and take them to the crematorium or cemetery. The provision of a wood effect coffin, hearse direct to service, 4 bearers and the attendance of the Funeral Director at the funeral. Please note:- we use a traditional hearse and 4 bearers for our simple service, not a van or people carrier like one of the national chains. Collection of the ashes from the crematorium. Placing obituaries in the newspaper. Administration of charitable donations (on-line only). This Simple Service does not allow for: Making arrangements or chapel visits out of working hours. Choice of coffin. Limousines. Alternative Hearses. Order of Service. Free choice of days and times for the service. Cortege going via an address. Service in Church.
Our Tailored Service - £2495 We understand that bereavements and funerals are intensely personal events, and that’s why we make the ‘personal touch’ absolutely central to the way we do things. Because no two people or families are the same, we believe that individual choices and preferences have a crucial role to play in the lasting comfort that the right funeral can bring. Years of experience have taught us that it’s often the little things, meticulous attention to detail and Armstrongs special unique touches that make the biggest difference. Our tailored funeral service is our most popular service. When we arrange our tailored service with you, the first thing we do is listen. Then we’ll advise, guide, and inspire you to create a tailored funeral arrangement. From an alternative hearse to a favourite colour theme, a unique coffin, bubbles, photo slideshows, bespoke orders of service; the list is almost endless. Tell us what you want, and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Direct Cremation - £1475 A direct, pure and simple cremation simply involves taking the deceased directly to the crematorium with no formal ceremony. There are no family or friends present at the cremation and the deceased is cremated in a simple coffin. There is no funeral service. Who offers Direct Cremation? Armstrongs do! The fact that we can offer this service is often missed by our local families. The shiny TV adverts, and glossy leaflets for big, corporate companies are something we cannot compete with. But what we can offer is local knowledge, the highest standard of care, and a personal touch that they simply cannot match. As a local family business, we only ask that before you make any decisions, and sign on the dotted line that you get in touch to discuss what your options are. There is a difference in what is offered, and this may not necessarily be made clear. What to be aware of. Unfortunately, if you use an ‘internet’ company, this could mean your loved one travelling around the country before finally being taken to a mortuary, hundreds of miles away whilst awaiting cremation. Always ask the location of mortuary facilities, and where your loved one will be held in care and indeed where they will be cremated. Why Choose Armstrongs? While large corporate companies advertise heavily, we offer compassionate local care with a personal touch. Our team is committed to providing respectful, dignified services with transparency and no hidden fees. Before making any decisions, we encourage you to contact us to understand your options. We also guarantee that your loved one will be cared for localy, by us and that you can vist our chapel to say goodbye. All of our cremations are carried out at West Suffolk Crematorium not a crematorium hundreds of miles away. Important Considerations Be cautious when choosing an internet-based provider, as your loved one may be transported across the country to a distant mortuary. Always ask where your loved one will be held and cremated to ensure they receive the highest standard of care. Pros of Direct Cremation with Armstrongs Cost-Effective: The most affordable cremation option. Chapel Visit: You can vist your loved on in our chapel during office hours by appointment. Everything Local: Your loved one will stay safely in our care and the cremation will take place at West Suffolk Crematorium. Faster Process: Fewer logistical requirements generaly mean quicker arrangements. Less Administration: No additional service planning needed. Cons of Direct Cremations No Formal Goodbye: By far the biggest con is the fact that family & friends may not agree with the choice of cremation, and risk not being given the closure that a full, bespoke funeral service can give. Lack Of Closure: Not being able to plan, and attend can cause rifts between those that would have found comfort in a final send-off. No Service Conversion: If purchasing a direct cremation pre-payment plan from an internet-based company there will be no option to convert it to a full funeral service should you, or your next of kin change your mind at a later date. You can cancel but with a large penalty. Family Disagreements: It is imperative that if you are considering, or have chosen a direct cremation, that you speak to your friends and family and let them know of your decision. We are finding increasing numbers of people are choosing this for themselves, and the family receive quite a shock when told they will not be able to attend and say their goodbyes in the traditional way Final Thoughts If you are considering a direct cremation, we recommend discussing your decision with family and friends to ensure everyone understands your choice. Our team is always available for a no-obligation chat to answer any questions. Contact us today for compassionate, professional guidance. What other funeral fees might be applicable? * Bringing the deceased into our care outside normal office hours or by a third party funeral director – £250. * We have the same, simple pine coffin design for everyone but please tell us if your loved one is 22 stone or more or very tall (more than 6’6″) as they are likely to require a special order coffin, but we always review each case individually. * Additional charge may be required if a special order coffin is needed. * Return of cremated remains by Courier – £85
Witnessed Direct Cremation - £1795 A witnessed direct cremation offers families the opportunity to be present at the crematorium for a simple, dignified farewell. Unlike traditional funeral services, this option focuses on a straightforward cremation without a formal ceremony, while still allowing loved ones to attend if they wish. What is a Witnessed Direct Cremation? A witnessed direct cremation involves a maximum of 8 members of family or friends attending the crematorium for up to 10 minutes to witness the committal of their loved one. It is a minimalist option, often chosen by those who prefer simplicity or want a private moment without the formalities of a traditional service. A piece of music can be played and a family member may like to say a few words or read a poem. Pros of a Witnessed Direct Cremation Personal and Intimate: Provides a quiet, personal experience for those who prefer a smaller, informal goodbye. Lower Cost: More affordable than traditional funerals, as it removes many of the additional expenses associated with services and ceremonies. Simplicity: Reduces the stress of planning a larger event while still providing closure through attending at the crematorium. Cons of a Witnessed Direct Cremation Limited Attendance: Restricted 8 attendees, which may not suit larger families or groups. Limited Days & Times: Mon – Thurs 9:00 or 9:15 only No Formal Ceremony: For those who find comfort in traditional religious or cultural services, this may feel incomplete. Less Personalisation: While it allows a moment of farewell, it lacks the detailed personalisation that can be part of a full funeral service. Is a Witnessed Direct Cremation Right for You? Choosing a witnessed direct cremation is a personal decision. It may be ideal for families seeking a private, cost-effective farewell or those planning a separate memorial gathering. If you are unsure, we are here to discuss your options and help you make the best choice for your circumstances. Contact us to learn more about our witnessed direct cremation services and how we can support you during this time. What other funeral fees might be applicable? * Bringing the deceased into our care outside normal office hours or by a third party funeral director – £250. * We have the same, simple pine coffin design for everyone but please tell us if your loved one is 22 stone or more or very tall (more than 6’6″) as they are likely to require a special order coffin, but we always review each case individually. * Additional charge may be required if a special order coffin is needed. * Return of cremated remains by Courier – £85 * We also have a range of urns, scatter tubes and keepsakes at extra cost which can be found here.